HOUSTON \u2014 Never did Nick Kurtz consider this, not as a young boy learning to swing left-handed in Lancaster, Pa., or during the charmed collegiate career that catapulted him into baseball\u2019s consciousness. He harbored the same fantasies of so many budding ballplayers, but believing in immortality felt irresponsible.<\/p>\n
Then, on a nondescript Friday night in downtown Houston, Kurtz launched himself into baseball lore. He played one of the best games in Major League Baseball\u2019s 150-year history, hitting four home runs and collecting six hits during a 15-3 shellacking of the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a game like that is stuff you don\u2019t even dream about,\u201d Kurtz said, \u201cbecause it doesn\u2019t really happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kurtz is the 20th man to hit four home runs in a major-league game. None of the other 19 were younger than 25. Kurtz did it at 22 years and 135 days old during his 66th major-league game.<\/p>\n
\nNick Kurtz.
Four home runs.
Historic. pic.twitter.com\/7oqrgdi23v<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 MLB (@MLB) July 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Kurtz is the first player in baseball history to finish a game with at least six hits, six runs and eight RBIs. The Baseball Hall of Fame will receive one of Kurtz\u2019s bats, a scorecard and photograph to commemorate the occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s arguably the best game I\u2019ve ever watched from a single player,\u201d said A\u2019s manager Mark Kotsay, who played parts of 17 major-league seasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight was special. This kid continues to just have jaw-dropping moments. To witness that tonight was pretty special for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 19 total bases Kurtz accrued matched a single-game record Shawn Green set on May 23, 2022. Green, like Kurtz, finished his night 6-for-6 with four home runs, a double and single. Green drove in seven runs. Kurtz chased home eight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not normal,\u201d said A\u2019s shortstop Jacob Wilson. \u201cHe\u2019s playing a different sport than us right now. It\u2019s not baseball. It\u2019s T-ball what he\u2019s doing out there right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thirteen months ago, Kurtz had just completed his third collegiate season at Wake Forest. The A\u2019s selected him fourth during last July\u2019s draft and, after just 33 minor-league games, summoned Kurtz to the major leagues on April 23.<\/p>\n
Kurtz\u2019s performance on Friday raised his season slash line to .305\/.374\/.686 across his first 271 major-league plate appearances. His first 66 games have featured 43 extra-base hits. Only Joe DiMaggio had more.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way guys are pitching him already in the league, he\u2019s like a 10-year vet,\u201d said A\u2019s starter Jeffrey Springs. \u201cThey pitch around him. The respect is already there and it\u2019s definitely well-deserved. The kid is really unbelievable. I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ve ever seen anything like that, just how locked in he is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Added Luis Severino: \u201cThe closest thing I can (compare) it to is Aaron Judge, playing with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since the day Kurtz debuted, only Judge has a higher OPS than his 1.060 mark. Friday\u2019s performance all but cemented Kurtz as the front-runner for American League Rookie of the Year \u2014 an award Judge also won in 2017.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a lot of confidence. He feels great about his approach,\u201d Kotsay said. \u201cIn terms of being a rookie, I\u2019ve said this from day one when we got him, he\u2019s an advanced hitter. His approach is one of the best approaches I\u2019ve ever seen from a young player.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nA\u2019s rookie Nick Kurtz greets his parents and godparents after the game of his life. It was the first time his godparents had seen him play a big league game. His parents flew in today to attend. pic.twitter.com\/7FSVUbj8XW<\/a><\/p>\n