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Athletics Expect Crowded Home Run Race in 2026
A's young sluggers Kurtz, Rooker, and Langeliers set to battle for team home run crown.
Feb. 23, 2026 at 9:35pm
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The Oakland Athletics had five players hit 20 or more home runs in 2025, led by Nick Kurtz's 36 homers. With Kurtz, Brent Rooker, and Shea Langeliers all reaching 30 homers last season, the A's are anticipating another crowded home run leaderboard in 2026 as their young power hitters push each other to new heights.
Why it matters
The Athletics' power surge in 2025 helped them finish seventh in MLB in total home runs, and they could be in store for an even bigger offensive season in 2026 if their young sluggers continue to develop. A crowded home run race within the team could push the A's offense to new levels and help offset any pitching concerns.
The details
Last season, the A's had five players hit 20 or more home runs, including Nick Kurtz (36 HR), Shea Langeliers (31 HR), and Brent Rooker (30 HR). Kurtz, who won AL Rookie of the Year, could have an even bigger season in 2026 if he's able to maintain his elite batted-ball metrics over a full 162-game schedule. Langeliers and Rooker also reached the 30-homer plateau in 2025, setting up what could be a three-way battle for the A's home run crown this year.
- The Athletics finished the 2025 regular season with 219 home runs, ranking them seventh across MLB.
- Nick Kurtz made his debut in late April 2025 and went on to win AL Rookie of the Year after hitting 36 home runs in just 117 games.
The players
Nick Kurtz
A young slugger who won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2025 after hitting 36 home runs in just 117 games for the Athletics.
Shea Langeliers
An Athletics hitter who launched 31 home runs in 2025, his second season in the majors.
Brent Rooker
An Athletics power hitter who hit 30 home runs in 2025, his first full season with the team.
What they’re saying
“It took just 117 games for Nick Kurtz to launch 36 home runs en route to AL Rookie of the Year honors last season, and with elite batted-ball metrics across the board, that dizzying pace could be sustainable across a full 162-game slate. Shea Langeliers and Brent Rooker also reached 30 homers in 2025, so expect a compelling in-house leaderboard.”
— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report Analyst
What’s next
The Athletics will be closely watching to see if their young power hitters can maintain their home run pace over a full 162-game season in 2026.
The takeaway
The Athletics' young core of power hitters, led by Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, and Brent Rooker, could push each other to new heights in 2026 as they battle for the team's home run crown. This internal competition could help offset any pitching concerns and power the A's to an even more productive offensive season.
