Joshua Kuroda-Grauer

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer is an American professional baseball infielder for the Oakland Athletics. Drafted in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Rutgers University, he reached the majors in just two seasons. As of 2026, he is the Athletics' everyday second baseman, hitting .282 with 8 home runs through his first 80 games. Fans know him for his acrobatic defense and contact-oriented bat. He was a unanimous Big Ten Player of the Year in 2024 and is considered a strong candidate for AL Rookie of the Year.[edit]

Kuroda-Grauer grew up in Somerset, New Jersey, where his father, a former college baseball player, introduced him to the sport at age four. By ten, he was playing travel ball with the Diamond Jacks, a New Jersey-based organization where his defensive instincts first drew scouts' attention. At Watchung Hills Regional High School, he was a four-year varsity starter, batting .417 as a senior and earning First Team All-State honors in 2021. Despite that success, he went undrafted out of high school, a slight that fueled his drive.

He committed to Rutgers University over offers from smaller Division I programs. After redshirting in 2022, he used the year to refine his swing mechanics and defensive footwork. In 2023, he broke out with a .335 average, 8 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. The next season, he improved to .348 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs, becoming the first Rutgers infielder to win Big Ten Player of the Year. His .400 on-base percentage and elite glove work made him a top prospect.[edit]

The Oakland Athletics selected Kuroda-Grauer 88th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. He signed for $750,000, slightly below slot value, eager to begin his pro career. Assigned to the Stockton Ports of Single-A, he hit .302 with 4 home runs in 45 games. In 2025, his ascent accelerated. He started at Double-A Midland, batting .318 with 10 homers in 72 games, earning a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he hit .291 with 6 homers in 50 games. By season's end, MLB Pipeline ranked him the Athletics' No. 4 prospect.

He made his MLB debut on April 7, 2026, against the Texas Rangers, starting at second base and going 1-for-4. On May 15, he hit his first career home run off Seattle's Logan Gilbert, a 405-foot blast. Through 80 games, he is hitting .282 with 8 home runs and 35 RBIs. In July, he was named AL Rookie of the Month after hitting .310 with 3 homers. He has solidified his role as the everyday second baseman and is a key piece of Oakland's rebuild.[edit]

Kuroda-Grauer is known for his quiet, focused demeanor on the field, often described as stoic by commentators. His signature look includes high-cuffed pants and a dark blue batting glove on his left hand. The media portrays him as a gritty, blue-collar player who embodies the Athletics' rebuild. His social media voice is appreciative and motivational, often thanking fans and teammates. His growing fanbase calls themselves Kuroda's Crew. He posts game highlights and training videos on Instagram and behind-the-scenes content on TikTok.[edit]

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer is the 55th most famous person in Baseball, a steady position that reflects his rapid rise from college standout to Oakland Athletics everyday second baseman. This standing within the iFANN Global Fame Rankings underscores his visibility across the sport, capturing attention through his acrobatic defense and contact-oriented approach at the plate. While he commands respect as a gritty, blue-collar figure embodying the A's rebuild, his public footprint remains distinct from the sprawling mythology seen with veteran icons. Despite his growing profile and the dedicated following he has cultivated among Oakland supporters, there is no formal name for his fanbase; they remain simply part of the broader Athletics community rather than a unified legion with a specific moniker. The search for organized campaigns or unique rituals yields nothing concrete, as his tenure has been too brief to spawn distinct folklore or viral traditions separate from general team support. Even the intense media coverage surrounding his high-profile injury in July 2026, where he finished an at-bat despite severe trauma, registered as a verified news event rather than a legendary moment that evolved into fan lore. His supporters appreciate his quiet focus and motivational social media presence, but these interactions have not coalesced into a structured fandom identity. He stands as a rising star whose fame is rooted in current athletic performance and resilience, lacking the historical weight or cultural myths that define true legends in the sport.[edit]

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer is fluent in Japanese and often speaks it with his mother and grandparents during games. An avid chess player, he credits the game for improving his situational awareness on the field. In high school, he was a standout soccer center-back before choosing baseball full-time. His favorite player growing up was Ichiro Suzuki, whose work ethic he emulates. He has a pre-game ritual of eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich two hours before first pitch. He is also a fan of the anime Haikyuu!!, which he says motivates him to work hard. Fans still recount the story from July 21, 2026, when he fouled a pitch directly into his groin area while playing against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite suffering a ruptured testicle, Kuroda-Grauer completed his at-bat, collecting a single before being removed for emergency surgery. This incident was widely reported by major outlets like ESPN and The New York Times, sparking discussions about the dangers of the sport without becoming a mythological tale beyond the immediate medical context.[edit]

Kuroda-Grauer's mother is a first-generation Japanese-American; his father is a high school math teacher. He has two younger siblings: brother Ethan plays college baseball at Seton Hall, and sister Mika is a high school softball player. He is close with his maternal grandparents, who taught him Japanese. As of 2026, he rents an apartment in Oakland and has no pets. He graduated from Rutgers in 2024 with a degree in Sports Management.[edit]

Kuroda-Grauer has developed a close friendship with Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker. Manager Mark Kotsay has praised his work ethic. Second baseman Zack Gelof mentored him during his adjustment to the majors. At Rutgers, head coach Joe Litterio recruited and developed him. Athletics minor league coordinator Steve Karsay oversaw his minor league progression.[edit]

Kuroda-Grauer has kept his romantic life private. As of 2026, there are no confirmed public relationships. A brief unsubstantiated rumor in early 2025 linked him to a Rutgers softball player, but neither party confirmed it, and no credible outlet reported it. He is currently single and has no children.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Joshua Kuroda-Grauer's net worth at $3.2 Million. His primary income sources include his MLB signing bonus of $750,000 from the 2024 draft and his rookie salary of $740,000 in 2026. During college, he earned approximately $150,000 from NIL deals with local brands. In 2026, endorsement agreements with Under Armour, New Balance, and a local car dealership add an estimated $500,000 annually. He has a diversified investment portfolio worth about $200,000 and rents an apartment in Oakland with no real estate holdings.[edit]

Kuroda-Grauer won Big Ten Player of the Year in 2024, becoming the first Rutgers player to earn that honor. He also earned First Team All-Big Ten that season and Second Team All-Big Ten in 2023. In 2025, he was named MLB Pipeline Prospect of the Week for his performance at Double-A Midland.[edit]