Nick Kurtz has transformed a scouting buzz into MVP-caliber production for Oakland, blazing through MLB pitching since the All-Star break. He leads the league in several second-half metrics, posting a blistering blend of average, on-base, and slugging that stacks with elite clutch hitting. The breakout has not only solidified him as the AL Rookie of the Year favorite but also showcased his power, patience, and contact skills as the cornerstone of the A’s order.

Oakland’s 2024 draft class—headlined by Kurtz and supported by top picks like Tommy White and Gage Jump—shaped a bold over-slot strategy that now looks brilliantly efficient. Kurtz’s rapid ascent, from Wake Forest prospect to a probable MVP front-runner, has coincided with an array of young talents contributing in the majors. The class’s college-heavy pedigree and quick arrivals signal a rising wave for the franchise and a new benchmark for evaluating left-handed youth in today’s game.

As teammates like Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers chase the same breakout arc, the A’s look poised to leverage this core into sustained relevance. The larger narrative positions Kurtz not just as a breakout star, but as a potential franchise anchor whose development could redefine Oakland’s competitive arc in the near term. More MLB coverage from Sports Illustrated follows.

Two AL basement dwellers collide in Minnesota as Oakland visits Minnesota for a midweek showdown. J.T. Ginn starts for the A’s against Bailey Ober of the Twins, with both teams more focused on saving face than contending. The game shapes as a high-scoring affair given both lineups and a shaky pitching matchup, and the betting public is leaning toward offense with a total set at 9 and the A’s favored to push across runs.

Nick Kurtz stands out as the evening’s prime fantasy target. He’s posted a .306 average with 25 homers this season and hits .350 against right-handers, a clear edge in a left-on-left/right-on-right tilt against Ober. That power profile makes Kurtz a tempting homer prop at +245 as Oakland leans into right-handed pop against a pitcher who has surrendered multiple long balls in recent starts.

Ginn (5.04 ERA) and Ober (5.25) each carry significant risk. Ober has allowed 24 homers in 20 starts, 17 since June 1, while Ginn has been notably hit-or-miss since July, with a recent rough August. Oakland’s bullpen ranks near the bottom in ERA, amplifying the downside for bettors if the game spirals. Expect a run-heavy night that could push the Over to 9 or more.

Three prime home-run props headline the Aug. 20 MLB slate: Jose Ramirez vs Brandon Pfaadt, Nick Kurtz vs Bailey Ober, and Kyle Schwarber vs Luis Castillo. Ramirez sits in a strong offensive window, carrying a .300+ clip recently and a track record of dingers against right-handers. Kurtz, thriving at .306 with 25 homers, draws a favorable right-hander in Ober who has coughed up plenty of deep balls. Schwarber, pacing the NL with 44 homers, faces Castillo but owns a solid .300 average and power against righty pitching. The bets carry varied upside with Ramirez at +425, Kurtz at +245, and Schwarber at +200, offering distinct paths to fantasy points or DFS value in a day with multiple afternoon starts.

The breakdown centers on matchups and recent form. Ramirez’s potential to exploit a right-hander with a late-season surge is tempered by the Diamondbacks’ bullpen, but his seven-day .300+ rate and 21 HR vs RHP tilt the odds. Kurtz’s breakout year, especially versus right-handers, is underscored by Ober’s homer-prone history (24 allowed in 20 starts, 17 since June 1). Schwarber’s career dominance of Castillo and his NL-leading HR pace add a high-upside element, even if Castillo has been stingy at times. Odds are dynamic, but each pick ties directly to recent production and favorable platoon angles, making them compelling targets for fantasy managers and prop bettors alike.

A wave of dynasty-ready breakthroughs lands in 2025 across majors and the upper minors, led by a handful of sleeper position players and one of the sport’s top pitching prospects. The piece zeroes in on Ivan Herrera, Dylan Beavers, Carson Williams, Addison Barger, and Jacob Misiorowski, plus Nick Kurtz, assessing rest-of-season potential and the long-game value for dynasty managers. Each profile leans on advanced metrics and current form to outline who to pounce on now and who may take longer to realize the upside. The takeaway: buy low on clear power-speed corridors and trust the players whose underlying data signals legitimacy, while monitoring health, lineup context, and the timing of MLB calls.

Iván Herrera has blossomed into a legitimate fantasy asset at a thin catcher depth chart, delivering strong run production with above-average plate discipline and growing power. His 2025 line supports continued upside, backed by hard contact, controlled strike zone metrics, and a favorable batted-ball profile that minimizes regression risk. In dynasty, Herrera is a stable, top-10 option with multi-positional flexibility and the potential for a long, productive run if St. Louis keeps him in the lineup behind the plate or at a corner spot as needed.

Dylan Beavers sits on a fast track with an elite minor-league track record translated into major-league buzz. The Baltimore outfielder has posted a 2025 line that hints at 20-plus homers and double-digit stolen bases as he leans into power while maintaining a strong on-base approach. The combination of power and speed, plus improved contact efficiency and a high walk rate, suggests Beavers could debut aggressively and contribute in all five fantasy categories in short order.

Carson Williams represents Tampa Bay’s premier prospect with a plus-power, dynamic speed toolkit at shortstop. While Triple-A to MLB transitions carry risk, Williams’ latest plate discipline progress, combined with mid-20s homer and 20+ steal upside, positions him as a long-term cornerstone in dynasty leagues. Expect a cautious but persistent ramp to The Show, with strong fantasy-friendly ratios once he settles in.

Addison Barger offers a blueprint for bat-to-ball mastery and power at Toronto, flashing a robust barrel rate and hard contact profile that translate into 20+ homer potential with several doubles in a high-contact approach. His 2025 indicators suggest sustainable production, making him a high-confidence dynasty target who could anchor the Jays for years. Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee’s budding ace, presents the premium upside of a true front-end starter in dynasty formats. A big fastball, wipeout secondary, and premium strike-throwability underpin a ceiling that invites aggressive bids, balanced by innings limits and development risk as he nears the majors. Finally, Nick Kurtz provides a rare dynasty floor at first base with power-speed balance and a proven track record of productive counting stats in redraft and dynasty formats.

Three top fantasy baseball prospects make waves at Triple-A and are ripe for waiver-wire stashes or short-term pickups. Bryce Eldridge leads the charge for power in San Francisco’s system, with Nick Kurtz and Chandler Simpson offering power and speed dual-threats on the bench for Oakland and Tampa Bay. Kristian Campbell and Jhostynxon Garcia are heating up in Worcester, giving Red Sox managers a potential midseason boost at infield and outfield, while Campbell’s versatility and Garcia’s power-driven pace could unlock a late-season call to Boston. On the pitching side, Chase Burns and Jacob Misiorowski flash elite strikeout upside, presenting tantalizing streaming or keeper options if they seize opportunities in the second half. The piece weighs whether these hitters should be stashed in deeper formats or added in anticipation of a late breakout, and it underscores which players—like Kurtz and Simpson—offer the clearest paths to brief, impactful MLB stints.

The takeaway for fantasy managers is clear: target high-upside hitters with multi-position flexibility and keep an eye on the pipeline of pitchers who can generate swing-and-mmiss. Eldridge’s power ceiling amid SF’s lineup, Campbell’s burgeoning hot stretch with the WooSox, and Garcia’s torrid AAA numbers all point toward a possible surge, especially if Boston and San Francisco lean on depth as injuries and playoff pushes unfold. The article also highlights the strategic value of niche tools—BvP and PvB matchups, live injury reports, and closer depth charts—to time these adds and maximize upside in 12-team and deeper formats.