After record-setting game, A’s rookie Nick Kurtz earns ‘pretty cool’ virtual honor
“How do I buy that card?”
That’s what Athletics manager Mark Kotsay first asked when shown a picture of his superstar rookie’s recently released, 99-overall card in the popular baseball video game MLB The Show 25.
While Kotsay later realized the Milestone card couldn’t be bought — it has to be earned in the game — he said the card’s statistics, which influence the abilities of the player in-game, were a good representation of the dominance his first baseman has shown at the plate, particularly in July.
The card’s highlights include maxed-out hitting numbers against right-handed pitchers, the highest possible clutch and well-rounded stats otherwise.
The green-and-gold card itself emphasizes the 19 total bases he racked up in a single game last Friday against the Houston Astros after going 6-for-6 at the plate. That tied the MLB record for most bases in a game, a feat that had only been accomplished once before.
“Doesn’t that card sum it up?” Kotsay said ahead of Wednesday’s series-closing game against the Seattle Mariners (57-51). “He’s the best in all those categories, so I think that MLB The Show is assessing what he’s done over the last month or longer pretty well.”
A ‘pretty cool’ honor
A’s infielder Max Muncy, a fan of the game, said if he got the card, it would definitely make his lineup in the game.
Despite the praise, the rookie sensation nicknamed “The Big Amish” had a note on one in-game attribute: “Vision should be a little higher.”
While he doesn’t play MLB The Show himself, Kurtz said it was “pretty cool” to see that recognition for his performance so far this season.
“The awards are great and all but, at the end of the day, that’s not why I play the game,” Kurtz said.
A monstrous month
While the card specifically highlighted his all-time great performance last Friday in Houston, becoming the first MLB rookie and 20th player overall to hit four home runs in a game, it is earned through collecting players that are a part of the game’s July “Spotlight” Player of the Month series, making it also a celebration of Kurtz’s achievements throughout his stellar month.
Kurtz led all MLB players in many offensive categories in the 30 days leading up to Wednesday, including doubles (13), batting average (.410), on-base percentage (.490), slugging percentage (.988) and OPS (1.478).
The other major stats he didn’t lead in — hits (34), RBI (27) and home runs (11) — were all second by two or fewer.
Thanks to his monstrous July, the 22-year-old first baseman recently became the American League Rookie of the Year favorite over All-Star teammate Jacob Wilson according to most sports books and was a close second in MLB.com’s most-recent poll released July 16.
While his fellow rookie phenom is currently on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left forearm, Kurtz previously said he would be proud if either himself or his teammate earned the honor and expressed excitement to be a part of the team’s young core.
“Whether I win it or he wins it, we’re just really looking forward to representing the A’s and what we’re all about,” Kurtz said earlier this month, according to MLB.com. “Individual awards are good and all, but it’s not why we play the game. We’re excited to keep going and keep improving.”
Consistency key for Kurtz’s success
Just 69 games into his MLB career Kurtz, who was drafted in the first round by the A’s last year, has already played more games in the majors than he did in any single season at Wake Forest. When adding in his short stint in the minor leagues before his April 23 debut, he is getting near double his game numbers.
After his Milestone-worthy performance on Friday and another game where he reached base three times on Saturday, Kurtz sat out of Sunday’s series finale with the Astros due to lower-body fatigue.
Despite needing the day of rest, the rookie sensation hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down as his rookie campaign marches on, in fact, much the opposite.
The slugging first baseman is currently slashing .305/.378/.671 with 18 doubles and a team-high 23 home runs. For his recent performances, Kurtz won back-to-back AL Player of the Week awards to close July, becoming the ninth Athletic to win two in a row and the first since 2000.
“It’s still early to gauge stuff. There’s still so much left,” Kurtz said. “If you try to win the game then everything else takes care of itself. Be consistent in what you do, the results will follow.
