There was a moment when it seemed like the rookie version of Nick Kurtz might be slightly overmatched at the MLB level. The Athletics tried to wait to hoist him up through the system and into the everyday lineup, but he made that impossible, of course. He was a Rockhound for five games last summer. He was an Aviator this April for a couple of weeks. He hit .321 with a 1.040 OPS. He made himself undeniable.
And then he scuffled a bit. The power didn't manifest right away. It might've only been a week or 10 days, but it felt eternal, given the amount of force behind the push to get him to the majors, and the risk involved in rushing a polished bat to a one-of-a-kind environment in Sacramento, asking him to take on the burden of reinvigorating a franchise.
In the moment, it seemed like forever. Now, it seems as far in the past as the emergence of the Bash Brothers or Bert Campaneris playing all nine positions. Kurtz's season began in a Triple-A cloud of dust, and ends as an American League Silver Slugger finalist with 36 home runs under his belt in just 420 at-bats. He shattered records with a four-homer game in Houston, taunting the dynastic Astros (and it could've been five!). He swiped the Rookie of the Year out from under teammate Jacob Wilson's nose, who's hopefully cool with it (and has no choice in the matter).
And now he's a Silver Slugger Award finalist at first base in the American League, one of three stars chosen. The other two? Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays and Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals. Postseason performance is not a factor; the deciders are the AL's managers and a selection of their coaches. Kurtz, who helped define the regular season in a burst of magma and churned butter, is as good a choice as any.
Nick Kurtz joined as Athletics Silver Slugger finalist by Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker in American League
Yes, Kurtz (also a Hank Aaron Award nominee) wasn't even the A's lone nod. Langeliers, the squat powerhouse catcher, will have to beat out Salvador Perez of the Royals and ... let me check this here ... oh, Cal Raleigh for the honor behind the plate. Rooker has to top fellow DH options George Springer (also nominated in the outfield) and Yandy Diaz of the Rays.
It's safe to say the A's have one finalist who really does have a shot to take home the hardware. And it's someone who first joined our radar as an MLB option after the season had already begun. Incredible, and also just the first step of many.