The 2025 season is rapidly approaching.
Spring training will begin in the middle of February with games beginning shortly thereafter. Opening Day is closing in. While no one can truly know how the 2025 season will end, there are sure to be many exciting moments throughout the season.
The 2025 season may also be memorable as several players look to add their names to the record books. Let’s take a look at some important milestones within reach for the upcoming season.
The 3,500 strikeout club could gain two new members.
Pitchers Justin Verlander (3,416) and Max Scherzer (3.407) are close to becoming the 10th and 11th members of the 3,500 strikeout club. If both pitchers stay healthy, they could surpass the legendary Walter Johnson and Gaylord Perry on the all-time ranks. Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Giants while Scherzer is reportedly drawing interest after his showcase earlier in the week.
A new member of the 3,000 strikeout club as well
It appeared as though the 3,000 strikeout club would eventually gain two new members last year as pitchers Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw were within striking distance of that milestone. Greinke, however, was not signed last season. Kershaw suffered through an injury-plagued season to finish with 2,968 strikeouts, leaving him 32 strikeouts away from becoming the 20th pitcher to join the 3,000-strikeout club. Although Kershaw remains unsigned, and the Dodgers have drastically upgraded the pitching staff, he is expected to join the Dodgers at some point. If he can stay healthy, Kershaw should join that group this year.
Four players could join the 350 home run club
Exactly 100 players have hit at least 350 homers in their major league career. Four players — first basemen Freddie Freeman (343) and Bryce Harper (336) and third basemen Manny Machado (342) and Nolan Arenado (341) — could all join that club by the All-Star break. It would be another step toward the Hall of Fame for that quartet.
A notable season for Machado
The 350-home run plateau is not the only milestone on Machado’s radar. He is also nine runs away from the 1,000-run plateau and 100 hits away from the 2,000-hit club. As Machado is 32 years old and signed through the 2033 season, he could easily find himself in Cooperstown once his career ends.
The Shohei Ohtani category
Babe Ruth is the only player in major league history with at least 250 homers and 50 wins. Depending on when Ohtani returns to the mound in 2025, he could join Ruth in that exclusive club. Ohtani is just 25 homers and 12 wins away from both milestones. Ohtani and Ruth are inevitably compared to one another — this would be another area where he would match the legendary Babe.
