Athletics' Kurtz, Braves' Baldwin named top rookies

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was a unanimous selection as the American League Rookie of the Year on Monday, while Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was voted the National League Rookie of the Year.

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Kurtz, 22, received all 30 first-place votes after a breakout rookie season. He is the ninth Athletics player to win the award, but the first since pitcher Andrew Baldwin in 2009.

Baldwin, 24, is the 10th Brave to win the honour, receiving 21 of the 30 first-place votes. He's the second in the last four years (Michael Harris II in 2022) and the third in the last eight years (Ronald Acuna Jr in 2018).

Kurtz, who was drafted fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, debuted in the majors just over nine months later in April after just 32 minor league games. He led all rookies with 36 home runs, 86 RBIs and 90 runs, hitting .290 with a .383 on-base percentage and .619 slugging percentage.