Elephant Rumblings: Kurtz On His Way To The Show

MLB news roundup

Good morning Athletics Nation! Ready for a new series to kick off tonight?

The Athletics are back to it at Sutter Health Park after wrapping up a 4-2 road trip in the Midwest. They’re back in West Sacramento to begin a homestand that will see the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox make their first visits to the A’s new home. The team just swept the White Sox last week in Chicago but the A’s have not yet played the Rangers this year. Texas is up first as the three-game series begins tonight with a matchup between A’s righty Osvaldo Bido and veteran Patrick Corbin for the Rangers.

We got some major news on the off day before the start of the series. Beat reporter Martin Gallegos was the first to reveal yesterday that the club was set to promote star prospect Nick Kurtz to the major leagues for the first time. The first baseman has forced the Athletics’ hand here as he’s just absolutely demolished minor league pitching since getting drafted nine months ago It doesn’t matter that there isn’t any clear and obvious position for him to play with Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker locked into first base and DH, respectively. There was nothing left for the 22-year old slugging prospect to prove against minor league pitching and now we will get to see last year’s #4 overall pick don the Green & Gold during a regular season game for the first time. How the lineup looks with Kurtz on board will be interesting to monitor.

Fans will have to be patient for just a little longer though before getting their first look at the stud prospect in game action. Texas will begin the series by sending out Corbin, a left-handed pitcher. With a lefty on the mound the club will wait one more day before officially activating Kurtz to the active roster, per Gallegos:

He’ll be in the dugout for the beginning of the series tomorrow night. Holding off on making the roster move official until Wednesday means we will likely be seeing Kurtz’s major league debut Wednesday night against Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker. That matchup should favor Kurtz as Rocker is a right-hander and has struggled thus far here in 2025. Kurtz may have some debut nerves but hopefully it doesn’t take too long for the lefty slugger to settle in. He joins Jacob Wilson as recent first-rounders to rocket through the minor leagues and the two of them should hopefully be cornerstones for years to come.

We also still don’t know how the A’s will clear room on the active roster. Outfielder/first baseman Seth Brown is a candidate to be designated for assignment as he’s hitting just .167 while playing sparingly. The team could also demote either infielder Max Schuemann or Max Muncy to Triple-A as both are hitting a paltry .176 so far. Whether it’s Brown or Schuemann or Muncy it’ll likely be an upgrade for the team in the short and long-term. The Kurtz era is set to begin. Just one more day.

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics vs. Rangers Series Preview
• Athletics To Promote Top Prospect Nick Kurtz
• Nick Kurtz Call Up Is Timed Interestingly...
• What to expect from Athletics prospect Nick Kurtz

MLB News & Interest:

• Guardians designate former top prospect Triston McKenzie for assignment
• Braves place Spencer Strider on IL with hamstring strain
• Marlins promote Agustin Ramirez, key prospect in Jazz deal, for MLB debut
• Marlins place catcher Rob Brantley on IL with right lat strain
• Mets outfielder Jose Siri to miss 8-10 weeks with broken leg
• Padres’ Luis Arraez in stable condition after being carted off after collision
• White Sox transfer Martin Perez to 60-day IL; select Bobby Dalbec
• Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. criticizes team’s response to Kelenic failing to hustle
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

You know Dallas is pumped:

An interesting throwback from last week before the promotion:

Twins first baseman Ty France edged out Soderstrom for the honor:

He probably was major-league ready last year:

2022 1st-rounder Daniel Susac (Sacramento native) has been off to a good start in Triple-A: