Major League Baseball kicked off its 2025 awards week by celebrating the game’s rising stars. The league announced the winners of the prestigious Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year honors for both the American and National Leagues.
This year brought breakthrough performances, historic firsts, and a real sense of future greatness. From Oakland’s power-hitting Nick Kurtz to Atlanta’s steady force behind the plate, Drake Baldwin, rookies made an immediate impact on their teams — and honestly, on the game itself.
Nick Kurtz Dominates the American League Rookie Race
In the American League, Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics made the vote a no-brainer. He won the rookie award unanimously, becoming just the 14th AL player to ever pull that off and only the second Athletic to do it.
Kurtz’s big year at first base mixed raw power with steady hitting. He quickly became a cornerstone for Oakland’s offense.
Kurtz’s Offensive Explosion
Kurtz’s rookie season honestly felt like a dream. He put up a .290 batting average with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs, while boasting a 173 OPS+ over 117 games.
His 5.4 WAR shows just how much he brought to the table. For a rebuilding team, Kurtz’s arrival brought immediate results and a bit of hope for the future.
His win also means a major contract perk — Kurtz now gets a full year of service time, so his free agency is set for the 2030–31 offseason. Oakland has five more years to build around their new star before he can test the market.
Historic 1–2 Finish for Oakland
Jacob Wilson, Kurtz’s teammate, finished second in the voting. Wilson put together a polished rookie year, hitting .311 with 13 home runs and five stolen bases.
The Athletics became the first AL team since 1984 to have teammates finish first and second in Rookie of the Year voting. That says a lot about Oakland’s emerging talent pipeline.
Boston’s Roman Anthony came in third, posting a .292 average and a sharp .396 on-base percentage in 71 games. He missed some time with injury, but his knack for getting on base hints at a bright future for the Red Sox.
Drake Baldwin Claims the NL Rookie Crown
In the National League, Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin took home the honor with 21 of 30 first-place votes. He became the first catcher to win since Buster Posey back in 2010.
That’s a long gap, and it shows just how tough it is for rookie catchers to stand out.
A Rock Behind the Plate
Baldwin brought defensive steadiness and real pop at the plate. He hit .274, launched 19 home runs, drove in 80 RBIs, and finished with a 126 OPS+ across 124 games.
He handled the pitching staff well and still found time to rake — not an easy combo. Atlanta leaned on him all season.
There’s also an extra reward for the Braves: Baldwin’s win nets Atlanta a Prospect Promotion Incentive draft pick after the first round of the 2026 draft. MLB set up this program to reward teams for giving their top prospects an early shot, so the Braves’ future just got a little brighter.
Strong Performances from Runners-Up
The NL race for second was tight. Cade Horton of the Chicago Cubs grabbed the spot with a sharp 2.67 ERA over 118 innings.
He looked calm on the mound and could anchor their rotation for years. Milwaukee Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin rounded out the top three, showing off versatility at the plate and in the field.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
The 2025 rookie class gives baseball fans a lot to look forward to. Oakland’s power duo and Atlanta’s steady catcher have already changed the direction of their teams.
These awards show how much front-office moves matter, whether it’s developing young talent or taking smart advantage of MLB’s reward rules.
Right now, Kurtz and Baldwin sit on top of the rookie world. But the real challenge kicks in next year.
Will Kurtz keep slugging his way into MVP talks? Can Baldwin get Atlanta back to the World Series? If 2025 means anything, the future looks pretty bright—baseball’s next wave has already arrived, honestly.
After awards week, it’s obvious—these rookies will shape the league long after 2025.
Here is the source article for this story: MLB Rookie of the Year award: Athletics’ Nick Kurtz wins in American League
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