Oakland’s first baseman Nick Kurtz was named the American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year unanimously. He said, “It’s a great honor that I’m going to be put up with some of baseball’s greats who won the award,” as reported by Associated Press. In the National League, Braves catcher Drake Baldwin won the Rookie of the Year award.
The 22-year-old Kurtz became the youngest player to hit four home runs in a single game and was unanimously selected Rookie of the Year, according to Baseball Writers' Association of America. His teammate Jacob Wilson finished second in voting. Kurtz batted .290 with 36 home runs, and the Athletics now have their ninth Rookie of the Year award, marking the Kurtz-Wilson one-two punch in the team’s roster.
Drake Baldwin had an .810 OPS and 80 RBIs in 124 games, earning Rookie of the Year as the seventh catcher and tenth Braves player to win the award. He said, “But I didn’t know how it was going to turn out. I know it’s tough to rank or try to judge who had a better year between a pitcher and a hitter or a catcher,” as per Associated Press. Baldwin and Kurtz will each receive $750,000 from a pre-arbitration bonus pool, with additional benefits for draft picks and service time. The Manager of the Year awards will be announced next.
