Oakland A’s Face Historic September as Kurtz, Butler, Wilson Chase Records
OAKLAND – As the Oakland Athletics enter September, several players are poised to make their mark in franchise history. Rookie catcher Nick Kurtz is within striking distance of the A’s single-season home run record for a catcher, outfielder Esteury Ruiz Butler could become the first Athletic to achieve a 20-20 season since 2013, and shortstop Jacob Wilson is projected to set a new franchise record for rookie batting average.
Kurtz,currently just six home runs shy of Terry Steinbach‘s record of 35 home runs by a catcher,missed approximately a month in June-a period when home run numbers were elevated-but remains within reach of surpassing the mark with seven more long balls. He also trails Mark McGwire’s rookie home run record but is six home runs away from Jose Canseco’s rookie benchmark of 33, set in 1986.
Butler is aiming to join the 20-20 club (20 home runs and 20 stolen bases), falling just two stolen bases short of the milestone last year.
Wilson is projected to establish a new franchise record for rookie batting average and is expected to finish second in american League Rookie of the Year voting, behind teammate Kurtz. Jace Rooker would need to average more than one RBI per game to reach 100 for the season, currently sitting 21 shy of the milestone.
On the pitching side, Jeffrey Springs is 19 strikeouts away from reaching 500 career strikeouts, but the majority of potential milestones this month are expected to come from the A’s hitters.
