Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics and Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves were recognized this Monday as the winners of the Rookie of the Year award in the American and National Leagues, respectively. Both players completed outstanding seasons and were chosen by the members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Kurtz, just 22 years old, unanimously won the American League award, beating out Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox and Jacob Wilson, his Athletics teammate. His offensive impact was immediate: he led the league in extra-base hits (64), home runs (36), RBIs (86), runs scored (90), slugging percentage (.619), and OPS (1.002). With those numbers, the young first baseman became one of the most promising figures in the organization, which is undergoing a rebuilding process and planning its permanent move to Las Vegas in 2028. In 117 games, Kurtz batted .290 and hit 26 doubles, establishing himself as one of the most consistent hitters of the year. Kurtz and Baldwin: Two Different Paths to the Top. Kurtz also became the ninth Athletics player to receive this recognition, joining illustrious names such as Mark McGwire (1987) and the Cuban Jose Canseco (1986). Both also won the award in their early years with the franchise, during a golden era for Oakland. On the other side, in the National League, Drake Baldwin received 21 votes, beating out Cade Horton (Chicago Cubs) and Caleb Durbin (Milwaukee Brewers). In his first season with the Braves, the 24-year-old lived up to expectations and established himself as a key player amidst an injury-plagued campaign. With Ronald Acuna Jr., Chris Sale, and Sean Murphy sidelined for varying periods, Baldwin seized his opportunity. He played in 124 games, posting an offensive line of 19 home runs, 18 doubles, three triples, 80 RBIs, and 56 runs scored. He was also used as a designated hitter, showcasing his versatility.

His performance makes him the first Braves player to win the award since Venezuelan Ronald Acuna Jr. in 2017.