Promising young Athletics core recognized in AL ROY vote

After a couple of years at rock bottom, the Athletics are finally trending up.

On Monday, MLB announced its Rookies of the Year, and Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was the unanimous American League winner, becoming the first Athletics player to be named Rookie of the Year since relief pitcher Andrew Bailey (2009). Kurtz's teammate, shortstop Jacob Wilson, was runner-up, receiving 23 of a possible 30 second-place votes.

The Athletics are the first team with the top-two Rookie of the Year vote-getters since Atlanta Braves (2022), when centerfielder Michael Harris II won the honor and was followed by starting pitcher Spencer Strider.

Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson turning the tide for the A's

The two young stars helped Athletics go 76-86, their best record since 2021 (86-76). The franchise had consecutive 100-loss seasons in 2022-23 before going 69-93 in 2024, its last season in Oakland.

The A's are awaiting construction of a stadium in Las Vegas and are currently without a permanent home, but Kurtz and Wilson have given the organization a solid foundation on the field. In just 117 games this season, Kurtz, the No. 4 overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, slashed .290/.383/.619 with 36 home runs, 90 runs and 86 runs batted in. Wilson, 2023's No. 6 overall pick, hit .311 and had as many extra base hits as strikeouts (39) in 125 games.

As good as Kurtz, 22, and Wilson, 23, were in 2025, more talent is coming through the pipeline. At this year's trade deadline, the Athletics dealt closer Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres for prized shortstop prospect Leo De Vries, who MLB.com noted in August was "the highest-ranked prospect ever dealt at the trade deadline."

The Athletics are slowly putting together a more competitive roster, and Monday's Rookie of the Year results is proof they're heading in the right direction.