Historic Achievements in MLB

The 2024 MLB season has concluded with outstanding performances by rookie players, as Oakland Athletics' first baseman Nick Kurtz and Atlanta Braves' catcher Drake Baldwin have been awarded the prestigious Rookie of the Year honors in their respective leagues.

Nick Kurtz: A Rising Star for the Athletics

Nick Kurtz received the American League Rookie of the Year award in a unanimous decision, triumphing over his teammate Jacob Wilson and Boston Red Sox's Roman Anthony. Kurtz, the ninth player in A's history to earn this accolade and the first since Andrew Bailey in 2009, showcased exceptional talent after being drafted as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft. Entering his rookie season ranked as the 37th prospect by MLB.com, the Athletics promptly promoted him from Triple-A on April 21.

In just 117 games, Kurtz made a significant impact, posting a stellar .290/.383/.619 slash line along with 36 home runs. His remarkable performances put him in elite company; only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani had better slugging percentages among players with at least 450 plate appearances. Kurtz also became the eighth rookie in MLB history to achieve an OPS over 1.000, joining legends like Albert Pujols and Ryan Braun.

Drake Baldwin: A Bright Future in Atlanta

In the National League, the Braves' Drake Baldwin earned Rookie of the Year honors, standing out in a competitive field that included Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton and Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin. Baldwin, who hit .276/.370/.423 in 124 games across Double-A and Triple-A, was thrust into a starting role after Sean Murphy's injury in spring training. Atlanta's top prospect, Baldwin performed remarkably with a .271/.341/.469 slash line and 19 home runs in his rookie year.

Defensively, Baldwin demonstrated his prowess by ranking sixth among MLB catchers in blocks above average, reflecting his skills in preventing passed balls and wild pitches. This well-rounded performance led him to accumulate 3.1 FanGraphs' wins above replacement, the highest among all NL rookies, while also securing a top-five finish among catchers in the senior circuit.

Conclusion

As the Athletics continue in their rebuilding phase, the emergence of talents like Kurtz and Wilson adds a solid foundation to their roster. Meanwhile, Baldwin's achievement ties the Braves with the New York Yankees for the second-most Rookie of the Year awards by a team, with only the Los Angeles Dodgers holding a greater record. With these young players making waves in the league, both franchises have bright futures ahead.