Nick Kurtz, Drake Baldwin Topped MLB Rookies of the Year in Dominant Debuts

Major League Baseball (MLB) has introduced its prime rookies of the 2025 season: Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin.

Both gamers turned in excellent rookie performances that wowed each followers and analysts, and every acquired the distinguished Rookie of the Year honor within the American and National Leagues, respectively.

Nick Kurtz is the Unanimous AL Rookie of the Year

After being known as up in late April, the 22-year-old Kurtz was a unanimous choice as American League Rookie of the Year, garnering all 30 first-place votes. He completed the season hitting .290 with 36 house runs and 86 RBIs, whereas his 1.002 OPS ranked third in all of Major League Baseball behind solely superstars Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.

The most memorable second for Kurtz got here on July 25 towards the Houston Astros, blasting 4 house runs in a single sport to hitch the unique listing of simply 20 gamers in MLB historical past to achieve that feat. He delivered one other multi-homer sport later within the season, once more towards the Astros. He was first amongst rookies in house runs and RBIs and third in hits, cementing his breakout 12 months.

Kurtz instructed the MLB Network that it is a “great ending to the first year” and he’ll use this time to “keep grinding and come out even better next season.”

Kurtz turned the 14th unanimous winner in AL historical past, receiving the highest nod forward of teammate Jacob Wilson, who obtained 23 second-place votes, with Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony third. The Athletics duo marked the primary time since 1984 that teammates completed first and second in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

Drake Baldwin is NL Rookie of the Year

In the National League, the Atlanta Braves‘ Drake Baldwin took Rookie of the Year, ending forward of Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton by capturing 21 first-place votes. Overall consistency as a catcher helped Baldwin stand out, as he hit .274 with 19 house runs and 80 RBIs in 124 video games with a .341 on-base proportion.

According to ESPN, Baldwin may be very sincere that he has no thought about his rookie win. Still, he thanked the followers for this unforgettable honor because it’s already an unbelievable feat to be a finalist.

Among all rookie catchers, Baldwin led in OPS and was an instrumental piece within the success of the Braves all 12 months lengthy. Meanwhile, Horton’s robust second half, which included a 1.03 ERA, could not overcome Baldwin’s full-season dominance.

Under the present CBA guidelines, Kurtz will obtain a full 12 months of service time as a result of profitable the award, and the Braves will obtain a bonus draft decide because of Baldwin’s achievement.