Nick Kurtz and Drake Baldwin Named 2025 MLB Rookies of the Year
The post Nick Kurtz and Drake Baldwin Named 2025 MLB Rookies of the Year appeared com. SACRAMENTO, CA: Nick Kurtz of the Athletics hits his first hit during his first MLB at bat in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park on April 23, 2025. They had the best seasons of hundreds of first-year players though Justin Dean made the most improbable headlines. The award in each league is named after Jackie Robinson, the first rookie winner in 1947. Kurtz won in the American League following one of the best MLB rookie seasons ever. After only 32 games in the minors, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 Draft out of Wake Forest led all rookies in home runs (36), RBIs (86), extra-base hits (64), runs (90), slugging percentage (. 619) and OPS (1. 002). On July 25 in Houston, he had one of the greatest performances in history, going 6-for-6 with four homers against the Astros. He became the first rookie with a four-homer game and only the 20th player overall. National League winner Baldwin batted . 274 second among NL rookies with 19 homers. The 24-year-old handled the experienced Braves staff and gained their confidence by adeptly blocking pitches in the dirt. ATLANTA: Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI single against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on May 15, 2025. He was Atlanta’s third-round choice in 2022 from Missouri State. Kurtz is the 14th unanimous winner in AL history. The NL has had 13 unanimous winners. Justin Dean: The Hitless Wonder Justin Dean.