Athletics first base prospect Nick Kurtz is starting Monday's series opener against the division-rival Texas Rangers on the bench at Globe Life Field against Rangers left-hander Patrick Corbin. With Kurtz on the bench, Tyler Soderstrom will start at first base and bat third, with Brent Rooker as the designated hitter and batting second, and Miguel Andujar in left field and hitting fifth for the A's. Kurtz will occasionally be rested by the A's against southpaws, but he should still be considered an everyday player as he destroyed minor-league pitching to begin the 2025 season. In his first five major-league games since being called up last week, Kurtz has gone 4-for-16 with three RBI, no walks and seven strikeouts. Andujar could be a DFS sleeper consideration due to the fact he's hit .333 with a homer and two RBI in 12 career at-bats against Corbin.

Athletics general manager David Forst said that first base prospect Nick Kurtz will not be involved in a platoon when he joins the team this week for his major-league debut. The A's are comfortable playing Kurtz against left-handed pitchers, noting that he's had success against southpaws early on at Triple-A Las Vegas. The 22-year-old won't make his debut on Tuesday against the division-rival Texas Rangers and left-hander Patrick Corbin, but it's more about giving him a chance to acclimate to his new surroundings. Between first base and designated hitter, Kurtz, the fourth overall pick last year out of Wake Forest, should play regularly for the A's and should be a priority waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers in all formats. Because of his advanced approach at the plate, Kurtz could have a seamless transition to the majors after slashing .321/.385/.655 with seven homers and 24 RBI in just 20 games with Vegas this year.

The Athletics are calling up top prospect Nick Kurtz from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, a source tells MLB.com's Martin Gallegos. Kurtz, who is ranked as the No. 35 overall prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline, was dominating at Triple-A with a .321/.385/.655 OPS and a minor-league-leading seven home runs The 22-year-old left-handed hitter was the fourth overall pick by the A's last year out of Wake Forest and will be reaching the big leagues after just 32 career minor-league games. With a lefty on the mound for the Texas Rangers in Tuesday's series opener, though, Kurtz might not start his first game until Wednesday. Still, Kurtz will be the sixth-fastest player in franchise history to reach the big leagues. Kurtz's advanced approach at the plate has helped him hit everywhere he's been, and he should play regularly between first and designated hitter. He becomes a priority addition in all fantasy leagues.

Athletics infield prospect Nick Kurtz launched his seventh home run of the Triple-A regular season on Saturday against El Paso. The former fourth overall pick in last year's MLB Draft has enjoyed an incredible start to the season and is nearing his MLB debut. Across his first 14 games at the Triple-A level, Kurtz has posted a .367/.409/.817 slash line with six doubles and seven round-trippers. He has tallied 22 RBI, scored 15 runs, and held a 5:15 BB:K. The Wake Forest product enjoyed a strong spring training as well, which allowed him the opportunity to begin the regular season at the top level of the minor leagues. After being drafted last summer, Kurtz saw a brief look at Low-A and Double-A and held an overall .368/.520/.763 slash line. Fantasy managers in 12-team formats should consider stashing Kurtz as he will be a must-start option when he reaches the big leagues.

Athletics first base prospect Nick Kurtz was back at it again on Wednesday, belting his minor-league leading sixth home run in a 1-for-5 day at the plate for Triple-A Las Vegas. The home run was the two-run variety, bringing him to a league-leading 17 RBI as well. The blast was recorded at 110.5 mph off the bat and traveled a whopping 455 feet. There isn't much left to say about the kid as he continues to put on a hitting display daily, and while Tyler Soderstrom was back in the lineup on Wednesday for the A's after an early exit on Tuesday, it feels like a call-up is coming soon and the team will find him at-bats. With as hot as his bat is and as near to the big leagues as the 2024 first-round draft pick is, the 6-foot-3 slugger is one of the few early-season priority prospect stashes in deep leagues and 12-teamers with an available bench spot (or NA spot).

Athletics first baseman prospect Nick Kurtz went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored on Tuesday for Triple-A Las Vegas. The home run tied him for the minor league lead with five, and his 15 RBI leads all minor league players. The 2024 first-round draft pick is red-hot to begin the year, now hitting .410 with a whopping 1.375 OPS. With Athletics' first baseman Tyler Soderstrom going on his own power binge to begin the year, it's unclear how Kurtz finds at-bats in the majors, but with the way he's hitting, expect them to find a way. Notably, Soderstrom was removed from Tuesday's game against the Padres due to calf tightness, and it was considered precautionary, but it is a situation worth monitoring. Kurtz remains one of the top prospect stash candidates for fantasy as his call-up appears to be getting closer and closer.

Athletics first base prospect Nick Kurtz went 1-for-4 with a solo shot on Sunday. This was his fourth long ball of the Triple-A regular season. This round-tripper also extended his current hitting streak to eight games. The former fourth overall pick from last year's draft was assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas at the start of the regular season and has performed at an elite level. Through his first eight games, Kurtz has posted an incredible .412/.459/.882 slash line with eight total extra-base hits. He has brought in 12 runs, scored eight, and held a 3:7 BB:K. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his production, but Kurtz is becoming an intriguing stash candidate given his impressive start to the regular season. Even though Tyler Soderstrom is the everyday first baseman in the majors, Kurtz may push his way to the big leagues sooner rather than later.

Athletics first baseman prospect Nick Kurtz demolished his third home run of the young season on Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored for Triple-A Las Vegas. The left-handed slugger is now 10-for-21 (.476) with five extra-base hits, nine RBI, and six runs scored over the first five games of 2025. The 2024 first-rounder didn't disappoint in his limited action last season between Single and Double-A, slashing .368/.520/.763 with four home runs and a 12:10 BB:K in 12 games. With Jacob Wilson about to graduate from prospect status, Kurtz will likely sit atop the organization's prospect ranks in the near future, and while MLB.com's Top Prospects list gives him an ETA of 2026, it would not be a surprise to see him in the big leagues later this year as fellow 2024 draftee Cam Smith has already debuted with the Astros, as has the Angels' Ryan Johnson. Kurtz has the potential to be a star and would be a stash candidate for fantasy if there were rumblings of a promotion at any point this year.

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz went 3-for-6 with a home run during their victory on Tuesday evening. Kurtz launched a two-run shot in the fifth inning. Kurtz was selected with the fourth overall pick in last year's MLB Draft out of Wake Forest and has been performing at an elite level through his first taste of Triple-A. Across his first four regular season games, Kurtz has tallied at least one hit in each contest and posted two three-hit outings. Kurtz has gone deep twice during this hot start and added two doubles. He has tallied six RBI and scored five runs. Last season, the 22-year-old received a brief 12-game taste of the minor leagues after being drafted. Across 12 games split between Low-A and Double-A, Kurtz posted a .368/.520/.763 slash line. If he continues this elite production at Triple-A, he will be in contention for an MLB debut later this summer.

Athletics first base prospect Nick Kurtz has posted a stellar .435/.538/.909 slash line with two doubles and one home run during his first three games at Triple-A. He has tallied at least one hit in each contest and went deep for the first time on March 29. Kurtz is viewed as one of the top prospects in the A's system. He was drafted with the fourth pick in last year's MLB Draft out of Wake Forest. In spring training, Kurtz posted a .261/.452/.522 slash line with two long balls and a 7:5 BB:K. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development as the 22-year-old should be in the mix to make his MLB debut this season. Currently, Tyler Soderstrom occupies first base for the Athletics, but if Kurtz continues to hit at this level, he will eventually earn a promotion.

MLB.com's Brendan Samson writes that Athletics first base prospect Nick Kurtz is expected to start the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. Kurtz was the fourth overall pick in last year's draft out of Wake Forest and is considered to be the team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. Additionally, MLB Pipeline has the 22-year-old ranked as the No. 3 first base prospect in 2025, behind only Jac Caglianone and Bryce Eldridge. Kurtz impressed in spring training, going 6-for-23 (.261) with two home runs, five RBI and four runs scored in 14 Cactus League games. In just 12 games last year after being drafted with Single-A Stockton and Double-A Midland, Kurtz hit .368 (14-for-38) with four homers and 13 RBI. When scouts compare a left-handed power hitter to Jim Thome, fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should certainly take notice. If he stays healthy, it would be a surprise if he doesn't debut with the A's this summer.

Athletics first base prospect Nick Kurtz (hand) went deep in his return to action on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs. Kurtz exited a spring training contest last week after being hit by a pitch. However, when he returned on Sunday, he launched a solo shot. The Wake Forest product was selected as the fourth overall pick in last year's MLB Draft. Kurtz is considered one of the top prospects in the Athletics' system. After being drafted last season, Kurtz began his professional career at Single-A. Across seven games, Kurtz posted a .400/.571/.960 line with two doubles and four round-trippers. He then moved up to Double-A, where he held a .308/.400/.385 line across five contests. Fantasy managers should expect Kurtz to open the season with Double-A Midland and could push for a late-season MLB debut if he continues to produce at this rate.

Athletics first base prospect Nick Kurtz (hand) exited Saturday's spring training contest after being hit by a pitch in his hand. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team will likely provide an update in the coming days. Kurtz is considered one of the top prospects in the Athletics' system. He was drafted with the fourth-overall pick in last year's MLB Draft out of Wake Forest. Kurtz received a brief taste of Single-A before finishing the campaign with Double-A. During his first five games at the Double-A level, the infielder tallied four hits including one double. Through 13 games in spring training, Kurtz has posted a .250/.464/.400 slash line with one home run and a 7:4 BB:K. Fantasy managers should expect Kurtz to open the season at the upper levels of the minor leagues. If he continues to perform well, he could push for an MLB debut in the second half.