Buster Olney predicts a massive 2026 for Nick Kurtz

On the heels of a rookie season for the ages in 2025, Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz is projected to have an even bigger 2026 season.

After hitting 36 home runs and nearly driving in 90 RBI during his rookie campaign, Fangraphs predicts another 36 home run season in 2026–but that doesn’t hold a candle to what ESPN’s Buster Olney is predicting for Kurtz this year.

ESPN released its top 100 players list for the 2026 MLB season, ranking Nick Kurtz as the 29th-best player in all of baseball.

In Kurtz’s ranking, Olney made a bold prediction for the first baseman’s sophomore season that would catapult the 22-year-old into superstardom:

“Nick Kurtz will have more competitive results against left-handed pitchers this year and join Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Kyle Schwarber in the 50-homer club.”

Sutter Health Park Superlatives

Longest Home Run:
Nick Kurtz, September 13 vs CIN
Pitcher: Scott Barlow
493 feet pic.twitter.com/5O4XYOv2j4

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) February 1, 2026

More on A’s 1B Nick Kurtz

There are few hitters who have burst onto the MLB scene with as much dominance as Nick Kurtz did during the 2025 season, and the reigning AL Rookie of the Year is just getting started.

Nick Kurtz, just 22 years old, mashed 36 home runs and drove in 86 runs after being called up in late April. The fourth-overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft batted .290 and posted a 1.002 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, good enough for second in the American League, only trailing New York Yankees’ MVP outfielder Aaron Judge.

Kurtz became somewhat of a household name for baseball fans last season on July 25th when he mashed four home runs and drove in eight runs.

‘The Big Amish’ finished the night 6-for-6 with four home runs, a double, and a single, tying the Major League Baseball record with 19 total bases. He also drove in eight runs and scored six times, becoming just the 20th player in MLB history to record a four-home run game — and the first rookie ever to accomplish the feat.

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Upcoming Athletics & MLB Offseason Schedule

• February-March: Spring Training
• Friday, March 27th – @ Toronto Blue Jays – 4:07 PM PT (Opening Day)

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