Nick Kurtz’s elite swing has Athletics fans buzzing as he moves from promising rookie to possible star
Nick Kurtz, the Athletics’ 6-foot-5, 240-pound rookie first baseman, already carries the tangible physique of some of baseball’s greats. But what’s turning heads isn’t just his size; it’s how his swing looks to mirror the best hitters in the game, including Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge—the current top two in the sport.
Kurtz has quickly established himself as a standout among rookies, leading the pack in on-base percentage, slugging, homers, and Wins Above Replacement. What sets him apart is a combination of raw bat speed and loft in his swing. He averages 77.5 mph bat speed, a pace only four qualified hitters can match, and he creates a 39-degree swing tilt, a level of loft that puts him on a short list with the game’s elite power hitters.
When you put bat speed together with swing tilt, Kurtz’s profile aligns with some of the best in baseball who excel with high-velocity, high-tilt swings that allow the ball to travel farther before contact. A group of hitters who meet Kurtz’s thresholds—around 75 mph bat speed and 38-39 degrees of tilt—has produced a .327 batting average and a .636 slugging percentage this year. Among those with a similar number of swings, several of the game’s finest hitters are represented.
Kurtz’s swing isn’t just about power; it’s about approach. He shows strong opposite-field power and lets the ball travel closer to him, a spray pattern that highlights a more waiting-to-pull the ball mindset and the ability to drive pitches to all fields. This contrasts with players like Eugenio Suárez, who tends to pull the ball earlier by chasing pitches closer to the plate.
In head-to-head swing comparisons, Kurtz’s metrics sit close to those of Judge and Ohtani. His averages of 77.5 mph bat speed and a 39-degree tilt place him near Judge (76.9 mph; 38 degrees) and Ohtani (76.1 mph; 37 degrees) in the same neighborhood, with Kurtz’s intercept point at 24.6 inches, compared to Judge’s 30.7 and Ohtani’s 28.0. When you relax the bat-speed criterion a touch, Mike Trout’s numbers also look attainable for Kurtz, underscoring how closely his swing maps to some of baseball’s most productive hitters.
The 22-year-old from Lancaster, Pennsylvania—often talked about with admiration for the “Big Amish” nickname—has a sweet, aesthetically pleasing swing that already resembles some of today’s most recognizable hitters in several key metrics. If Kurtz can translate this elite swing into consistent results, the path to sustained greatness appears promising.
What this means for Kurtz and the Athletics going forward
– If he maintains his current pace, Kurtz could be a cornerstone piece for a franchise looking to build around homegrown talent. His blend of plate discipline (leading rookies in OBP) and power adds a dangerous combination for opposing teams.
– The swing metrics suggest a hitter who can impact the game across the field, not just by pulling balls but by driving pitches to all parts of the park, reducing overreliance on timing and location.
– Consistency will be the key. Rookies can ride great starts for a while, but the challenge will be maintaining this level of contact and pitch recognition as pitchers adjust.
Bottom line: Nick Kurtz has the look and the metrics of a potential star. He’s already a driving force for rookie production and, with continued refinement, could emerge as one of the game’s most dangerous hitters for years to come. Fans can look forward to watching how his approach evolves and how the Athletics leverage his power and contact skills as the season progresses.
Summary note
Kurtz combines size, elite bat speed, and high loft to form a swing that mirrors some of baseball’s best. He leads rookies in key offensive metrics and has drawn early comparisons to Judge and Ohtani, suggesting a bright, championship-caliber ceiling if he can sustain this level of play.
Additional context and next steps
– Track his continued ability to translate these swing metrics into consistent on-field results, especially as pitchers begin to adjust to him.
– Monitor defense at first base and overall framing and situational hitting, as these will influence long-term role and value.
– If he keeps up his on-base approach paired with power, Kurtz could become a central figure in the Athletics’ rebuild and a breakout star in the American League.