Oakland Athletics select Nick Kurtz with 4th pick in MLB Draft
Jul 15, 2024, 10:19 AM | Updated: 10:20 am
(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
The Oakland Athletics added another young prospect to its farm system during the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft on Sunday afternoon.
Oakland used the 4th overall pick in the draft on Wake Forest first baseman Nick Kurtz, a power-hitting threat with a strong eye (NCAA-leading 78 walks in 2024).
Kurtz, 21, is 6’5 and 240 pounds and hits from the left side of the plate.
Nick is the pick! 🙌
With the 4th overall pick in the 2024 #MLBDraft, we have selected first baseman Nick Kurtz from Wake Forest University! pic.twitter.com/dIGQwdoZ09
— Oakland A’s (@Athletics) July 14, 2024
More on Oakland Athletics MLB Draft pick Nick Kurtz
“In a lot of ways, he reminds us of Matt Olson,” Athletics scouting director Eric Kubota said of Kurtz. “Nick was the first person on our list in January when we met. He was the No. 1 pick on our board then, and he still was No. 1 on our board now.”
Kurtz, MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 overall Draft prospect, has a powerful lefty bat that has drawn high praise for his ability to drive the ball to all fields. But he also has an excellent eye — he led college baseball with 78 walks — as well as the patience to wait for pitches in his wheelhouse.
Kurtz posted a 1.294 OPS this season while also posting the highest on-base percentage of his college career (.531). His 22 homers in 2024 included a stretch with at least one long ball in seven straight games.
Upcoming schedule for the Oakland Athletics
- Monday, July 15th-Thursday, July 18th – MLB All-Star Break
- Monday, July 15th – Home Run Derby
- Tuesday, July 16th – MLB All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas
- Friday, July 19th-Sunday, July 21st – vs. Los Angeles Angels
- Monday, July 22nd-Wednesday, July 24th – vs. Houston Astros
- Thursday, July 25th -Sunday, July 28th – @ Los Angeles Angels
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