Athletics rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz already had a powerful begin to his profession.
Kurtz entered Friday having posted a .288/.360/.622 batting line in 265 plate appearances, hitting 19 homers and 17 doubles. Regardless of making his main league debut on April 23, Kurtz has been the A’s most valuable player, main the staff with 2.6 bWAR. He gave the impression to be on the cusp of changing into the celebrity the A’s wanted to promote the staff to the residents of Las Vegas.
That efficiency set the stage for what could have been essentially the most spectacular recreation for any rookie in main league historical past. Kurtz grew to become the 20th player in MLB history to have a four-home run recreation and the primary rookie to realize that feat.
