Is Nick Kurtz a Must-Add Fantasy Baseball Player After His Call Up?

Right after putting together a MLB prospect-focused story on Agustin Ramirez and Craig Yoho on Monday, the Athletics decided to make a major call up.

Let's discuss Nick Kurtz and his fantasy value. He's expected to be called up on Wednesday.

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Kurtz's Minor League Stats and Grades

Kurtz is the No. 35 overall prospect in the MLB this season. He's the top-ranked Athletics' prospect.

He was drafted fourth overall in last summer's MLB Draft, is 22 years old and bats and throws left-handed.

Kurtz was given a 2026 ETA to reach the big leagues, but has dominated across his minor league stops, so the team is going to see if he's ready for the big leagues already. 

His best tool is his power, with a 65 grade. Kurtz has a 60 mark for hitting and fielding, while having a 50 mark for his arm. Kurtz's only below-average grade is his running (40). Overall, the first baseman is graded as a 55.

In 32 minor league games across last summer and early this season, Kurtz has a .336 average and .432 on-base percentage. He's racked up 10 doubles and 11 home runs among his 41 total hits, along with 37 RBIs, 22 walks, 32 runs scored, one stolen base and 36 strikeouts.

In 20 Triple-A games this season, Kurtz has a .321 average and .385 OBP, along with 27 hits, 24 RBIs, 10 walks, 18 runs scored and 26 strikeouts. He posted seven doubles and home runs among his hits.

I kept writing about Kurtz in prospect stories and mentioned I thought he was going to debut in 2025 instead of 2026, but I didn't expect him to be called up this quickly. Seeing his numbers and knowing he began his minor league career as an older prospect, it makes sense for the team to be aggressive to see if they have a star on its hands.

Kurtz's Fantasy Outlook

Kurtz has primarily played first base in the minor leagues, but he does also have some college and minor league experience in left and right field. I think Kurtz will open his career primarily at first base, and if not there, he will serve as the team's designated hitter.

Tyler Soderstrom has been the team's everyday first baseman, and he's been great to start the season, so when he's healthy, he will probably man first base.

Soderstrom also has experience at catcher, but Shea Langeliers is the everyday catcher, and while he could be spelled by Soderstrom occasionally, Langeliers is likely to be in the lineup often.

So maybe Kurtz will be the designated hitter? Expect… Brent Rooker is the usual DH, and the team just locked him up long term, so Rooker isn't going to start sitting the bench.

Kurtz could be thrown in one of the corner outfield spots, but with little playing experience there, Rooker is likely going to be moved to make room for Kurtz. That's how I see things shaking out anyways.

Rooker, Soderstrom and Langeliers also usually fill the No. 2-4 spots in the lineup, and for the time being, I expect that to continue happening. Kurtz isn't fast enough to hit leadoff, plus Lawrence Butler has that slot in the order locked in.

So maybe Kurtz could slot in fifth? JJ Bleday has been occupying that spot in the order regularly, but could be slid down to sixth to throw the mashing Kurtz behind Butler, Rooker, Soderstrom and Langeliers, which I think would be his best spot in the lineup to deliver big fantasy totals from. 

It's also possible Kurtz slides into the No. 6 slot in the lineup. Jacob Wilson, another young and upcoming player, has been in that spot for the past couple games, but could be slid down the order to make room for Kurtz.

So fifth or sixth are the most likely spots for Kurtz, unless they want to move Rooker, Soderstrom or Langeliers down the order. 

All of a sudden, this Athletics' lineup is looking pretty dangerous. Batting behind the talented top of the order, Kurtz should have plenty of chances to drive in runs and be a good fantasy asset.

It remains to be seen if Kurtz is also going to play against left-handed starting pitchers. He isn't being called up on Tuesday because the Athletics are facing a lefty. The team could ease him into facing lefties, but if he doesn't face them right away, that's a decent blow to his fantasy outlook

Who Should Add Kurtz?

Kurtz was already gaining traction as a waiver wire hitter over the past couple weeks because of the monster numbers he was putting up in Triple-A.

He is the top waiver wire add on Tuesday. At the time of publication, he's up 14.08%, and is now owned in 52.72% of leagues synced here at FantasySP. I expect that number to keep rising on Tuesday, and even more so on Wednesday when he gets called up officially.

Kurtz is most valuable in dynasty/keeper leagues right now, but he's immediately a player I'd add in deeper redraft fantasy setups too. 

Kurtz is going to be added in a bunch of standard redraft leagues too. Kurtz is at least worth stashing for a few weeks - he might be a good enough fantasy hitter when in the lineup to justify owning even if he's not starting against lefties. 

I'd rather take a gamble on Kurtz and miss than let another leaguemate scoop him up. He could be a daily starter in all formats in a hurry, and could be one of the top fantasy hitters for the remainder of the season. At least pick him up for a couple weeks to see how he fares in his first taste of the big leagues.