The Athletics’ promotion of first base prospect Nick Kurtz, the No. 4 overall pick from last year’s draft, gives the team three middle-of-the-order but defensively limited sluggers: Kurtz, first baseman Tyler Soderstrom and designated hitter Brent Rooker. Soderstrom and Rooker have primarily handled first base and DH, respectively, in 2025, but GM David Forst tells reporters that Soderstrom is now expected to see some time in left field (link via Martin Gallegos of MLB.com). Rooker could also see occasional corner outfield time; he’s briefly appeared in both left field and right field already this season.
Kurtz, listed at 6’5″ and 240 pounds, is unlikely to see any time on the grass. He was a bat-first selection by the A’s last year, and his performance in Triple-A this season has largely mirrored that of Soderstrom on the big league roster. Through 97 plate appearances, he’s slashing .321/.385/.655 with seven homers and seven doubles. Kurtz has fanned in 26.8% of his plate appearances but also walked at a 10.3% clip.
Though he’s not likely to see time in the outfield, that doesn’t mean Kurtz is without defensive value. Baseball America tabs him as a potential plus defender at first base, noting that he moves better than one might expect given his size and that he has reliable hands. MLB.com agrees, calling him an “excellent” first base defender despite lacking the speed or range necessary to play other positions.
With Kurtz seemingly ticketed for regular work at first base or designated hitter, Soderstrom and Rooker will be forced to see more regular time in the outfield. Soderstrom has slightly above-average sprint speed, per Statcast, and scouting reports have long credited him with an above-average arm — as one would expect from a former catcher. He probably won’t be a plus defender in the outfield, but he also hasn’t graded well at first base anyhow. If he can continue at even 75% of his current .298/.362/.643 pace, the A’s probably won’t care much about the defense — regardless of which position he’s manning.
It’s a similar story with Rooker. He’s played first base and the outfield corners in the past, never drawing positive grades at any spot. For a player who’s sporting a .268/.343/.523 batting line and 75 home runs over his past 1240 plate appearances, however, that’s a secondary consideration.
If all three of Rooker, Soderstrom and Kurtz are hitting anywhere close to their full capabilities, the A’s suddenly look like one of the most formidable lineups in the American League. Leadoff man Lawrence Butler, who signed an extension prior to the season, is out to a terrific start after a big finish last year. He’s batting .289/.340/.534 (150 wRC+) in 424 plate appearances dating back to last June. JJ Bleday, who hit .243/.324/.437 with 20 homers last year, has begun to heat up after a cold start. Shortstop Jacob Wilson, the No. 6 overall pick in 2023, doesn’t have much power but has some of the league’s best contact skills and has hit .299/.332/.402 in his first 185 plate appearances. Catcher Shea Langeliers isn’t likely to hit for a high average, but he popped 29 homers last season and already has five in 2025.
Soderstrom is just done as a catcher, I guess?
He would only get into a game or two a week with Langeliers not able to do anything other than DH. That would be a tough juggle for Kotsay.
They could trade langeliers and put sody at catcher
If you want to run the organization like a fantasy baseball team, then sure.
Trading Langeliers would be the dumbest thing right now. This guy hits for power and can help the A’s. No reason they can’t platoon Langeliers and Soderstrom at catcher.
He was never a catcher.
He was drafted as a catcher in the first round, as I recall, and his BRef page still lists him as a Catcher and 1B.
But, with his speed, arm, and bat, he may make an excellent corner OFer. I’m interested to see how that transition plays out a year from now.
What speed? He has only 2 stolen bases ever in the minor leagues and still hasn’t swiped a bag yet in the majors
At least right field doesn’t require a ton of speed it mainly needs strength
He is above MLB average in speed (iirc), and for a catcher or corner OFer, that will be a very useful tool. I’m honestly not aware of his base running acumen (or lack thereof).
He has a 27.7 ft/sec Sprint Speed, which already makes him on of the faster LEFT fielders in the game.
baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/sprint_speed?mi…
I don’t get this. Tyler is hitting well. Why possibly get in his head with a move like this?
The entire article is about why.
I mean yeah reading is a thing
“…Soderstorm and Rooker will be FORCED to see more time in the outfield…” That’s what jumped out at me fellas. You gotta guy hitting well, don’t mess with him.
The flip side is when the other guy is crushing minors pitching you don’t leave him in the minors and until you can find a way to DH two guys at the same time someone has to move.
Maybe. The Orioles brought up Mayo last year and he crapped the bed. But to your point, there is only one way to find out…
Kurtz throws Left-handed and he is not as athletic as Soderstrom, so Tyler gets some reps in Left field.
Hey A’s fans, only 16 games at catcher? is he that bad behind the dish?
yes
He definitely struggled with blocking and framing (as does Langeliers, to be fair). But he probably wasn’t going to supplant Langeliers, so the position change was more about getting his bat to the show faster. A similar thing happened with Josh Donaldson.
Won’t be enough at bats for all of them. I would expect one or more of these names to be traded elsewhere by summer.