Red Sox Rookies Struggle in Latest Award Odds Update

The race for the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year feels like it’s already decided. The Boston Red Sox can only watch as Oakland Athletics’ Nick Kurtz sprints ahead of everyone else.

Red Sox hopefuls Carlos Narváez and Roman Anthony looked promising early on. Now, Kurtz has pulled so far ahead with a historic run that everyone else is just fighting for second.

Boston fans might’ve hoped for their young stars to make a stronger case. But with Kurtz’s dominance, the Rookie of the Year talk has basically become a one-man show.

Kurtz’s Historic Performance: A Night to Remember

Nick Kurtz locked himself in as the clear favorite for the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year with a jaw-dropping performance on Friday night. The Oakland slugger made MLB history by going 6-for-6 with four home runs—no rookie had ever pulled that off before.

It wasn’t just a good night—it was a statement. Kurtz showed the league he’s not just another rookie; he’s the rookie.

A Surging Contender Despite a Slow Start

Kurtz’s timing makes his rise even more wild. He didn’t hit his first home run until May 13, but now he leads all rookies with 23 bombs.

His surge has been something to watch. He’s shown not just raw power but steady, reliable hitting game after game.

Kurtz’s slash line—.309/.378/.683—shows he can hit for average, get on base, and slug with the best of them. His 184 wRC+ is second only to Aaron Judge among all MLB hitters.

Honestly, nobody expected a rookie to perform like this in 2025.

The Red Sox Rookies: What Went Wrong?

Boston saw some bright spots in Carlos Narváez and Roman Anthony. Still, both guys now find themselves in Kurtz’s shadow.

Narváez started the season strong. Anthony looked like he might break out after the All-Star break.

Anthony’s .915 OPS in the second half is nothing to sneeze at. Even so, the odds of either Red Sox rookie snagging the award have gotten pretty slim.

Falling Odds for Boston’s Stars

Anthony’s odds dropped from +2500 at the break to +3500 now. Narváez sits at +3000.

Compare that to Kurtz, who’s gone from +350 to a wild -1800. The gap is huge.

Other contenders like Jacob Wilson (+700) and Houston’s Cam Smith (+1900) are just as outmatched. For Boston, it stings—especially since the team hoped these young guys would lead the way forward.

What Makes Kurtz Unstoppable?

Kurtz leads all rookies in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), which is pretty much the gold standard for player value. He impacts the game in every way—power, getting on base, and clutch hits.

Unless he gets hurt or falls into a massive slump, it’s hard to see anyone else catching him for Rookie of the Year.

Looking at the Numbers

With a .309 average, .378 OBP, and .683 slugging, Kurtz is putting up numbers you’d expect from a perennial All-Star. Not a rookie.

He leads all rookies with 23 home runs. His advanced stats put him in rare company across the league.

Oakland fans finally have something to get excited about. Kurtz looks ready to become the face of their rebuild.

What’s Next for the Red Sox and Their Young Stars?

Narváez and Anthony probably won’t win the award this year, but it’s not a total loss for Boston. Both have shown enough to stick around as key pieces for the future.

Anthony’s strong second half suggests he’s turning into a reliable hitter. Narváez has already shown he’s got the tools to stay in the big leagues.

Development Over Awards

The Red Sox really need to focus on helping their young players grow, not just chasing individual awards. Narváez and Anthony have shown flashes of promise.

If they keep pushing forward, Boston might see a new wave of talent shaking things up in the next few seasons. For now, though, the Sox will mostly be watching from afar as Nick Kurtz basks in the spotlight—he’s probably got that Rookie of the Year trophy locked up.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Red Sox Rookies Trail Overwhelming New Favorite In Award Odds