by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor
July 14, 2023
On Sunday, the A’s took first baseman Nick Kurtz out of Wake Forest University with their first pick in the 2024 amateur draft. After taking college shortstop Jacob Wilson with their top pick last year, the A’s made another college infielder their top selection, and the fourth overall pick, this year.
The 21-year-old Kurtz was MLB Pipeline’s 7th-ranked prospect and Baseball America’s 8th-ranked prospect prior to the draft. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound, lefthanded-hitting first baseman is a complete hitter with real power who also makes plenty of contact. Kurtz slashed .306/.531/.763 with 22 home runs, 78 walks and just 42 strikeouts in 260 plate appearances with Wake Forest in 2024. He’s also considered to be a solid defender at first base.
In the second round, the A’s took college third baseman Tommy White out of Louisiana State University with the 40th overall pick. The 21-year-old White was MLB Pipeline’s 20th-ranked prospect and Baseball America’s 30th-ranked prospect prior to the draft.
The 6-foot-1, 228-pound, righthanded-hitting infielder is another real power hitter who doesn’t strike out a lot. He slashed .330/.401/.638 with 24 home runs and only 38 strikeouts in 314 plate appearances for LSU in 2024. When he started out his college career, he primarily served as a first baseman and designated hitter and doesn’t possess much speed or a lot of range at the hot corner.
In Competitive Balance Round B, the A’s took another LSU product, left-handed pitcher Gage Jump, with the 73rd overall pick. The 21-year-old Jump was MLB Pipeline’s 62nd-ranked prospect and Baseball America’s 65th-ranked prospect prior to the draft.
The 6-foot, 197-pound, lefthanded pitcher has a deceptive delivery and throws a fastball, curveball and slider. After missing 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, he posted a 3.47 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP and averaged 11 K/9 in 83 innings for LSU in 2024.
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