Opening Week has arrived for Major League Baseball and with that brings some aspiring history-makers. Here are 10 notable benchmarks that could be reached at some point this season.
3,000 Strikeouts: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers future Hall of Famer is sitting at 2,944 career strikeouts, only needing 56 to become the 20th pitcher to ever reach 3,000. However, he won’t be available until the second half of the season after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.
3,000 Innings Pitched: Max Scherzer, Rangers
According to Dayn Perry of CBS Sports, only 114 pitchers have managed to reach 3,000 innings since 1900 and Max Scherzer has a shot at becoming No. 115. He is currently at 2,834 2/3 which means he needs to be healthy for at least 165 1/3 this season which he hasn’t done since 2021.
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2,000 Hits: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
Paul Goldschmidt enters the season 91 hits shy of career No. 2,000. Almost 300 others have reached this mark and if he does then it only strengthens his case to be enshrined in Cooperstown when his playing days are over.
500 Doubles: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
Surprisingly, only 64 players have reached 500 career doubles and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers is 27 away. If he hits like he did last year (59 doubles), then it shouldn’t be a problem.
400 Home Runs: Mike Trout, Angels
A healthy Mike Trout can easily hit 32 home runs this season to become the next member of the 400-homer club. However, he only hit 18 in 82 games last season so if there is any inkling of injury, it might have to wait until 2025.
300 Home Runs: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates; Anthony Rizzo, Yankees; José Abreu, Astros; Mookie Betts, Dodgers; Aaron Judge, Yankees
The 300-home run club includes 159 already and three names should reach this career milestone this season. Andrew McCutchen sits at 299 and it will be a full-circle moment when he hits No. 300 in a Pirates uniform. Anthony Rizzo needs five more and José Abreu sits 39 away.
Mookie Betts has already hit his first of the season but he still needs 47 more. His career high is 39 and he set that last season. Aaron Judge is 43 away but anything is possible.
3,372 Strikeouts: Max Scherzer, Rangers
Why is this number significant? It’s the number of strikeouts that Max Scherzer needs to pass Greg Maddux for 10th all-time. He is only five away and a healthy season for him averages 200-plus.
424 Saves: Kenley Jansen, Red Sox; Craig Kimbrel, Orioles
Craig Kimbrel has 417 career saves which is good for eighth all-time and Kenley Jansen is seventh with 420. Ahead of them are Billy Wagner with 422 and John Franco with 424. Both closers will get ample opportunity to join the top five this season.
Taking Four Clubs to the Postseason: Bob Melvin, Giants
The San Francisco Giants are desperately trying to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and are looking to manager Bob Melvin to lead them there. Melvin has guided three different teams to the playoffs – the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Oakland A’s, and the San Diego Padres. There are only two other managers, Billy Martin and Davey Johnson, who have taken four different teams to the playoffs and only Dusty Baker has taken five.
40 Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
The single-season record for home runs by a primary designated hitter in the National League was set by Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves in 2023. With Ohtani only playing as a DH this season, the number is within reach.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.