There’s nothing quite like the emotions and nerves that come with a Major League debut. The day is forever remembered, regardless of the results, but it’s even more special when a player makes a good first impression or generates a big moment on day one.
We’ve put together a list of 10 of the greatest debuts in Athletics history. For this assignment, we limited it to only an A’s player’s first MLB game, not their A’s debut, and we’ve listed them in reverse chronological order:
RHP Gunnar Hoglund: May 2, 2025 at MIA
6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 0 BB
Since joining the A’s in a 2022 trade that sent Matt Chapman to the Blue Jays, it’s been an uphill battle for Hoglund, as he entered a new organization while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. After struggling to regain the form that made him a first-round Draft pick by the Blue Jays in 2021, Hoglund finally got his opportunity in the big leagues in 2025 and ended up with a storybook-like debut. Making his first start with the A’s in Miami, Hoglund, a Dunedin, Fla. native, dazzled in front of a large group of family and friends as he became the first A’s pitcher since 1943 (and fourth since 1915) to allow one run in six innings pitched while allowing zero walks in his Major League debut.
1B Nick Kurtz: April 23, 2025 vs. TEX
1-for-4, RBI
Kurtz reached the big leagues just 283 days after he was drafted fourth overall, making an entrance less than a month into the season for one of the more anticipated debuts by an A’s prospect in quite some time. He ripped a single past a diving Marcus Semien and into right-center against Kumar Rocker in his first Major League at-bat, culminating in his first hit and RBI. It was the first game of an incredible rookie campaign that earned “Big Amish” AL Rookie of the Year honors.
SS Jacob Wilson: July 19, 2024 vs. LAA
1-for-1
It was the ultimate range of emotions for Wilson, who debuted as the A’s No. 1 prospect at the time and singled in his first Major League at-bat. About five minutes later, Wilson hobbled around third base to score on a Lawrence Butler triple and was removed from the game shortly after with a left hamstring strain. Wilson ended up on the IL due to the injury, which kept him out of the A’s lineup until the end of August. The bittersweet debut for Wilson was one he will never forget. One year later, he established himself as one of the top hitters in baseball by earning the starting nod at shortstop for the American League in the All-Star Game and finishing the season tied for the second-highest batting average (.311) in MLB.
RHP Mason Miller: April 19, 2023 vs. CHC
4 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 K, BB
Making his Major League debut after just 11 Minor League games, Miller lived up to the hype as a flamethrowing top prospect by flashing his electric stuff against the Cubs. His fastball maxed out at 102.5 mph, and he registered a velocity of 100 mph or higher 15 times, which at the time made him just the 10th starting pitcher in the Statcast era to reach the mark 15 times or more in a game. Miller transitioned to a bullpen role in 2024 and became an All-Star closer before getting traded in ‘25 to the Padres in a blockbuster deal that sent a package including super prospect Leo De Vries to the A’s.
OF Ramón Laureano: Aug. 3, 2018 vs. DET
1-for-5, RBI
Laureano was touted as a five-tool player upon his arrival to the big leagues, and he held up to his reputation in his Major League debut. The center fielder keyed the A’s to victory in an extra-inning affair, first showing off his cannon of an arm to nab Jose Iglesias at third base to end the top of the 13th as he tried to advance on an errant pick off attempt by catcher Jonathan Lucroy. In the bottom half, Laureano, who was 0-for-4 at that point, drove a slider into the gap to bring home Nick Martini as the game-winning run. Laureano’s first big league hit was a walk-off thriller as he willed his team to victory in his first big league game.
RHP Paul Blackburn: July 1, 2017 vs. ATL
6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 4 K, BB
Blackburn debuted at the Coliseum, a stadium he frequented while growing up in nearby Brentwood, and impressed in front of a group of friends and family, allowing just one unearned run against the Braves. Blackburn would go on to spend parts of eight Major League seasons with the A’s, earning an All-Star nod in 2022.
LHP Dallas Braden: April 24, 2007 at BAL
6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 K, BB
Drafted by the A’s in the 24th round of the 2004 MLB Draft, Braden entered the system as a long shot to reach the big leagues. He overcame a shortened 2006 season in the Minors after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason to earn his first call to the Majors in 2007. Making his first start at Camden Yards, Braden held the Orioles to one run in six innings. It was a strong debut, but this was an emotional day for Braden that went beyond the final line, as it was six years after his mother, Jodie Atwood, passed away after a bout with cancer. Going forward, Braden would cement himself in A’s history by throwing a perfect game on Mother’s Day 2010. Now, Braden is an A’s broadcaster for NBC Sports California.
RHP Tim Hudson: June 8, 1999 at SD
5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 11 K, 4 BB
A sixth-round Draft pick by the A’s in 1997, Hudson reached the big leagues two years later and racked up 11 strikeouts against the Padres in his first big league start. His debut set the tone for a season in which he finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Hudson went on to form part of the famed “Big Three” along with Barry Zito and Mark Mulder in the early aughts.
OF Rickey Henderson: June 24, 1979 vs. TEX
2-for-4, 2B, SB
The greatest player in franchise history debuted for his hometown team just miles away from where he grew up in Oakland and notched two hits, including a double. He also swiped the first of his Major League record 1,406 stolen bases, a mark which is unlikely to be surpassed any time soon.
SS Bert Campaneris: July 23, 1964 at MIN
3-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB
Before becoming a six-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion, Campaneris announced his presence on the Major League scene with a two-homer debut against the Twins in Minnesota. Both came off future Hall of Famer Jim Kaat.