Facing Major League pitching is as difficult as it’s ever been, and the adjustment that hitters face coming from the Minors is a difficult one. But you wouldn’t know it by looking at what Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin accomplished in 2025.

The Cubs rookie had a second-half for the ages, but that wasn’t enough for him to win the Rookie of the Year Award.

Caleb Durbin, Brewers: Coming over in the trade that sent Devin Williams to the Yankees, Durbin hit .256/.334/.387 (101 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 11 homers, 53 RBI, 60 runs, 18 steals and 2.9 WAR. Only three Brewers have ever won this award, most recently Williams in 2020.

Winning one Baseball Writers’ Association of America award is an achievement that belongs to a pretty small minority of all-time Major Leaguers. And winning multiple such awards? That puts any player in select company.