What’s in a name? Seems like more than we have ever imagined! At least, as per the new directives by the Athletics! When the A’s got a fresh lease of life, thanks to their top prospect, Nick Kurtz, it came with a condition. The condition of how to pronounce his name! Yes, that’s definitely one of those “read it out loud very carefully” situations. This new directive is live, with the rookie first baseman set to debut against the Rangers.

So, if Kurtz keeps hitting like he did in the minors — .336 average, 11 homers, 37 RBIs in just 147 plate appearances — there will be a lot of announcements of his name. And every single time, they’re gonna have to hit that careful pause. The pause between “Nick” and “Kurtz” like it’s part of the script. Yes, NBC Sports California is directed to work with caution!

So, saying “Nick Kurtz” too fast on live TV could very easily turn into an unintentional blooper reel moment. Leave alone a blooper, it might be considered an unintentional racial slur! Honestly, kudos to NBC Sports California for catching that early and giving their announcers the heads-up—prevention is way better than trending for the wrong reasons.

Remember the May 5 incident in 2023 involving the A’s broadcaster Glen Kuiper? He reportedly used a racial slur during a pregame segment on NBC Sports California. While discussing a visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Kuiper appeared to mispronounce the word “Negro,” that sounded like a slur. Well, the incident unfolded and forced Kuiper to apologize. Later, the Athletics issued a statement, calling the language used “unacceptable” and suspending Kuiper indefinitely. Following an internal review, NBC Sports California terminated its relationship with Kuiper.​

So yes, a big issue that the A’s will love to avoid this time. And thanks to fans as well for pointing this out right after the pick. Now, the directives feel like a well-planned and well-timed move, just when Kurtz is ready to set the biggest stage on fire.

For the A’s, the road ahead is still full of potholes—stadium uncertainty, fanbase frustration, ownership questions. However, a guy like Kurtz can be that spark. He’s got power, plate discipline, solid defense, and if he pans out, he’s the kind of dude the team can build around. A latest addition to the slew of new generation rookies ready to throw missiles for the Athletics!

The A’s are prospect-driven this year

Sitting last with a 10-12 record in the AL West, as of now, nothing memorable has happened for the Athletics. But now, the team has a slew of rookies lined up this year. It shows their future-ready squad! Well, only if they intend to retain all the top prospects.

Apart from Nick Kurtz, make way for Tyler Soderstrom. He has emerged as a breakout star, leading MLB in home runs with nine in the early weeks of the season. His impressive .298 batting average and .362 on-base percentage underscore his significant impact on the lineup.​

Then there are veterans as well, leading the charge for the A’s. Brent Rooker continues to be a formidable presence at the plate, building on his 39-home run performance from the previous year. With the team now playing in a more hitter-friendly environment in Sacramento, Rooker is on pace to challenge the 50-home run mark this season! Yes, you heard that right! 

Now, with Kurtz adding to this lineup, the Athletics should have a better offensive side. While they are not yet considered favorites to win the AL West, their combination of emerging talent and veteran presence has positioned them as a team to watch. If their young players continue to develop and the new additions perform as expected, the Athletics could contend for a Wild Card spot and potentially exceed their 69-win total from the previous season! It’s all speculation.

The 2025 season represents a pivotal moment for the A’s. A blend of promising talent and strategic moves sets the stage for a potential return to postseason contention.