​Joshua Kuroda-Grauer is carving out a place in MLB history as he begins his career with the Athletics, a story that originally appeared in The Sporting News. The Sporting News is noted as a preferred source in this piece. MLB’s Athletics, meanwhile, have yet to settle on a permanent home, leaving Oakland for a temporary stint in Sacramento as they eye a move to Las Vegas. Yet, in the A’s uniform, Kuroda-Grauer is making himself right at home.
Kuroda-Grauer has barely begun his major league journey, but he was already hitting .500 through July 8, an impressive 15-for-30 stretch that didn’t feel entirely fluky, even though it’s unlikely to continue at that pace. Before his call-up, he was batting .352 in Triple-A, a testament to his advanced hitting ability. In fact, he became the first player in nearly twenty years to collect 15 hits in his first eight big-league games while striking out two or fewer times.
There’s a strong sense of familiarity between Kuroda-Grauer and the A’s environment. Their feature shortstop, Jacob Wilson, who contributed to Kuroda-Grauer’s arrival by providing a steady, contact-heavy presence, mirrors the same approach at the plate. It’s easy to see why Kuroda-Grauer feels like he belongs in Oakland’s system.
Drafted in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Rutgers, Kuroda-Grauer has progressed through the minors quickly. He hails from New Brunswick, New Jersey, staying close to home for college before venturing across the country to the West Coast. Right now, the early returns are incredibly favorable, and Kuroda-Grauer is leaving a strong first impression with the A’s.
As for the broader MLB landscape, there are ongoing discussions and dramatic moves on the horizon—from a looming Dodgers-Yankees battle over Tarik Skubal to the prospect of a trade involving Byron Buxton and the Phillies’ aims to land him. The sport continues to buzz with drama, prospects, and potential record-setting moments, including Kyle Schwarber’s pursuit of a Babe Ruth-era milestone, all under the watchful eye of fans eager to see how the season unfolds.