The 2026 baseball season promises to be a milestone-filled affair, with several players on the cusp of achieving remarkable feats. Here's a breakdown of some of the most notable players and their potential achievements, along with my personal commentary and analysis.
Aaron Judge: 400 Home Runs
Aaron Judge is on the precipice of becoming one of the most prolific home run hitters in MLB history. With 368 career home runs, he's already surpassed the mark set by Mark McGwire for the fewest games to reach 300 home runs. If he hits 32 more home runs in the next season and a half, he'll reach the 400-home run mark, joining an elite group of players like Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth, Alex Rodriguez, and Giancarlo Stanton.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the sheer power and consistency Judge has displayed. His ability to hit 62 home runs in a single season, coupled with his recent performances, suggests that reaching 400 home runs is a realistic possibility. However, it's important to note that Judge's success is not just about power; it's also about his ability to stay healthy and maintain a high level of performance over a long career.
Juan Soto: 1,000 Walks
Juan Soto is on a mission to become one of the most patient hitters in MLB history. With 896 career walks, he's already set the record for the most walks before turning 27. If he reaches 104 more walks, he'll become the first player to reach 1,000 walks before turning 29, joining an exclusive club that includes Ted Williams, Max Bishop, Frank Thomas, and Babe Ruth.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is Soto's ability to consistently draw walks, even in seasons where he hasn't hit for power. His patience at the plate and ability to work counts are key factors in his pursuit of 1,000 walks. However, it's worth noting that Soto's success is also tied to his overall hitting ability and his ability to stay healthy.
José Ramírez: 300 Home Runs and 300 Stolen Bases
José Ramírez is on the cusp of becoming one of the few players in MLB history to reach 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases. With 285 career home runs and 287 stolen bases, he's already well on his way to achieving this milestone. If he hits 15 more home runs and steals 13 more bases, he'll join an elite group that includes Carlos Beltrán, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Reggie Sanders.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is Ramírez's ability to balance power and speed. His 30-40 season in each of the last two years, coupled with his ability to stay healthy, suggests that reaching 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases is a realistic possibility. However, it's worth noting that Ramírez's success is also tied to his overall hitting ability and his ability to stay healthy.
Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander: 3,500 Strikeouts
Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are on the cusp of becoming two of the most dominant pitchers in MLB history. With 3,489 and 3,553 career strikeouts, respectively, they're already well on their way to reaching the 3,500 strikeout mark. If they both reach the 3,500 strikeout mark, they'll join an elite group that includes Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Steve Carlton.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is the longevity and consistency of both pitchers. Their ability to maintain a high level of performance over a long career, coupled with their ability to stay healthy, suggests that reaching 3,500 strikeouts is a realistic possibility. However, it's worth noting that their success is also tied to their overall pitching ability and their ability to adapt to the evolving game.
Tyler Glasnow: 1,000 Strikeouts
Tyler Glasnow is on the cusp of becoming one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB history. With 952 career strikeouts in 754 innings, he's already well on his way to reaching the 1,000 strikeout mark. If he reaches 48 more strikeouts, he'll join an elite group that includes Freddy Peralta, Robbie Ray, Yu Darvish, and Blake Snell.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is Glasnow's ability to maintain a high level of performance over a long career. His ability to stay healthy and pitch deep into games, coupled with his ability to adapt to the evolving game, suggests that reaching 1,000 strikeouts is a realistic possibility. However, it's worth noting that his success is also tied to his overall pitching ability and his ability to stay healthy.
Jacob deGrom: 2,000 Strikeouts
Jacob deGrom is on the cusp of becoming one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB history. With 1,851 career strikeouts in 1,539 2/3 innings, he's already well on his way to reaching the 2,000 strikeout mark. If he reaches 149 more strikeouts, he'll join an elite group that includes Chris Sale, Yu Darvish, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is deGrom's ability to maintain a high level of performance over a long career. His ability to stay healthy and pitch deep into games, coupled with his ability to adapt to the evolving game, suggests that reaching 2,000 strikeouts is a realistic possibility. However, it's worth noting that his success is also tied to his overall pitching ability and his ability to stay healthy.
In conclusion, the 2026 baseball season promises to be a milestone-filled affair, with several players on the cusp of achieving remarkable feats. While it's impossible to predict the future, it's clear that these players have the talent, consistency, and ability to reach these milestones. It will be fascinating to see how they perform and whether they can achieve these remarkable feats.
