The upcoming MLB season is poised to be a historic one, as several players are on the verge of reaching remarkable career milestones. Clayton Kershaw is 32 strikeouts away from recording his 3,000th career strikeout. If he reaches the milestone, Kershaw would become the 20th pitcher in MLB history to join the exclusive 3,000-strikeout club.
Kershaw’s pursuit isn’t the only one worth noting to watch this season. From potential career home run achievements to pitchers chasing strikeouts, the stage is set for a season filled with history-making moments.
Here’s a closer look at the key milestones to watch as baseball history unfolds.
Historic MLB Milestones to Watch in 2025
Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt – 400 Career Home Runs
Mike Trout enters the season ranked 76th all-time with 378 career home runs. If Trout can stay healthy, he will become the 59th member of the 400-home run club. He would also surpass the following Hall of Famers: Orlando Cepeda (379), Jim Rice (382), Larry Walker (383), Harold Baines (384), Johnny Bench (389) and Al Kaline (399).
With 22 home runs to go, Trout would become the eighth player with 400 home runs, 200 stolen bases and 50 triples, joining an elite group that includes Barry Bonds, Henry Aaron, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson and Dave Winfield.
Paul Goldschmidt is another player closing in on the 400 career home run milestone. The seven-time All-Star sits at 362 home runs, needing 38 more to join the exclusive club. Goldschmidt has already established himself as one of the most complete first baseman in MLB. He’s one of two first basemen to reach 2,000 hits, 1,000 RBI, 350 home runs and 150 stolen bases—a feat matched by only Jeff Bagwell.
Manny Machado – 2,000 Career Hits
Manny Machado is 100 hits short of 2,000. On top of being the Padres franchise leader in home runs, Machado would become the 55th player to reach 2,000 hits by age 32. 10 players in this century got there at that age and made it to 3,000 (Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Adrián Beltré, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter). Five players did not (Robinson Canó, Édgar Rentería, Iván Rodríguez, Ken Griffey Jr. and Roberto Alomar).
Giancarlo Stanton – Top 50 All-Time in Home Runs, 2,000 Career Strikeouts
Sitting on 429 home runs, Giancarlo Stanton needs three to surpass Cal Ripken Jr. for top 50 all-time. Stanton needs 21 for 450 and three more to surpass Carl Yastrzemski into 40th place on the all-time list. His path towards 500 home runs could be right around the corner.
Stanton is known for his immense power at the plate, but has also struggled with strikeouts throughout his career. Stanton has played in 30 games with four or more strikeouts, tied for the most by any player in MLB history.
Currently sitting ninth on the all-time strikeout list with 1,963, Stanton is 37 strikeouts away from becoming the eighth player to reach 2,000 career strikeouts. While Stanton’s ability to hit home runs remains a part of his game, this milestone underscores the challenges that comes with his aggressive approach at the plate.
Freddie Freeman – Top 50 All-Time in Doubles
Only 65 players have reached the 500 doubles milestone and one of them is Freddie Freeman. Doubles have long been a Freeman specialty. In 2023, he flirted with the all-time single-season record before a cold streak left him with 59, tying him with Todd Helton for the record of any player since 1939.
With 508 career doubles, Freeman is closing in on the top 50 of all-time. He could surpass notable names including Garret Anderson, Johnny Damon and Hall of Famer Ed Delahanty. The trio is currently tied with 522 doubles, meaning Freeman needs 15 more to move past them.
Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer – 3,500 Career Strikeouts
Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are in the twilight of their careers. Though their days of dominance on the mound may be winding down, both continue to cement their legacies. Verlander and Scherzer currently rank 10th and 11th on the all-time strikeouts list, respectively, and are on the verge of reaching another historic milestone.
Verlander is 84 strikeouts away from joining the 3,500-strikeout club, while Scherzer needs 93. Additionally, Verlander needs 94 strikeouts to surpass Walter Johnson on the all-time list, with Scherzer needing 103 to achieve the same feat.
Kenley Jansen – Top 3 All-Time in Saves
Kenley Jansen has been a household closer over the past decade. Jansen, who currently sits fourth on the all-time saves list with 437 is eyeing the top three. If Jansen signs for the 2025 season, he could surpass Lee Smith, who holds the third spot with 478 saves. With 42 saves to go, Jansen has the opportunity to further cement his legacy as one the game’s premier relief pitchers.
Main Photo: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
