2024 MLB Milestone Watch: All-Star Break Check-in

Today is July 11th. Each of the thirty MLB clubs have played ~90 games. This year’s all-star break, in Arlington, TX, starts this week. Just like a flash before our eyes another half of a baseball season has gone by, making now a perfect time to check in on the dozens of players chasing professional milestones. With half the season still to play, some players are about to reach their next career milestones, some have ways to go, and many, many others will have to wait until next year for another opportunity to accomplish their endeavors. Let’s take a loot at the MLB players on milestone watch: The thriving, the grinding, and the injured.

Hits

Thriving:

Paul Goldschmidt:

Milestone: 2000 Hits

Current Total: 1991

Paul Goldschmidt, America’s first baseman, was drafted in 2009. Since then, he’s brought joy and great baseball ability to hearts across Arizona and his new home in St. Louis. Goldy’s played 1861 games in his career, just 230 games shy of reaching 2000 hits the fastest (Jose Altuve holds this record, joining the 2000 hit club in 1631). There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Goldschmidt will achieve 2000 hits before the end of this year, given he's 11 away from 2000.  In 2024 so far, he has 80 hits in 87 games, good for .92 hits per game. Given his current pace, we should be celebrating him by the end of July. After the All-Star break, the Cardinals will spend the rest of July on the road. Hopefully, wherever he gets his 2000th hit, they love him just as much as the rest of America does and celebrate his accomplishments loudly.

Grinding:

Francisco Lindor

Milestone: 1500 Hits

Current Total: 1413

Looking at his entire career it's strange to see Francisco Lindor playing as if he had a chip on his shoulder, but throughout his Mets tenure Lindor has been the object of ire and disappointment enough to cloud recent memories of his wild success. In the 2010s, Lindor was Rookie of the Year after debuting mid-June, won two Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers each, and appeared at four consecutive All-Star games. Considering the All-Star appearances are voted on by fans, the other awards are voted on by coaches/managers, it's fair to say Lindor's play pleased just about everyone.

It's been a wild journey for Lindor and it's far from over. He's only 87 hits away from his milestone, and he's already got 90 hits on the season. While we may be celebrating him next spring, it's not out of the question Lindor reaches 1500 hits this September.

Injured:

Trevor Story

Milestone: 1000 Hits

Current Total: 892

When baseball returns for the Spring after a long winter, just about every player wants to show how much they've improved; especially Trevor Story. Story joined the Red Sox in free agency with the hopes he'd be making a significant impact to the future of the club, but since then, has only played a total of 145 games, or in other words, similar to his playing time in 2021 for Colorado (142 games). After a rocky 2022, and a 2023 where Story was sidelined with a UCL tear until August, 2024 was supposed to be the year he got back on track. We're all looking to 2025 now, since Story injured his shoulder 8 games into the 2024 season. If Story wasn't injured for the past two years, he probably would already have over 1000 hits. It doesn't make much difference if Story hits the 1000-hit milestone in 2025, 2026, or even 2027. The celebration will be wildly overdue, and I for one will be over the moon for him.

Strikeouts

Thriving:

Justin Verlander & Max Scherzer

Milestone: 3500 Strikeouts

Current Totals: Verlander, 3393 | Scherzer, 3384

Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander continue to prove that the early-2010's Detroit Tigers' rotation was legendary. A full decade after the last season they shared together, both pitchers are coming up on one of the more illustrious achievements in any pitcher's career. Only 9 players throughout MLB's long history have recorded >3500 strikeouts, making Scherzer and Verlander the 10th and 11th players to join the list. Since separating in 2014, these two have combined for 1 Cy young award, multiple seasons finishing in the top 10 of MVP voting, and have lead their respective leagues in IP and K's. It's a no-brainer both of these pitchers are going to crack the 3500 K mark, it's incredible that we get to watch two pitchers of this caliber at the same time in history.

Grinding:

Jack Flaherty

Milestone: 1000 Strikeouts

Current Total: 863

Jack Flaherty is one of my personal favorite pitchers. Having followed his career since his debut in September 2017, it's clear to see that his recent performance has dipped. While inconsistent in 2020, the popular opinion was that with a full season in 2021, Flaherty would be back to form. Rather, 2021 marked the first year of struggle. Since then, Flaherty has been taken out of commission multiple times for shoulder and oblique issues. The last 4 of these IL stints has regarded his shoulder health, putting a large question mark on his longevity in MLB. Despite the recent struggles, Flaherty has not given up on himself, and neither have the Tigers. He is well on his way to 1000 strikeouts, and this year he's got a top 5% K and BB rate.

Injured:

Clayton Kershaw

Milestone: 3000 Strikeouts

Current Total: 2944

Clayton Kershaw, a future Hall-of-Famer, is closing in on a major milestone, needing just 56 more to reach 3000 career strikeouts. Kershaw has been a dominant force on the mount since his debut 16 years ago, earning 3 Cy Young awards, an MVP award, a pitching Triple Crown, and much more. His career is littered with moments of brilliance and resilience, overcoming multiple injuries and postseason struggles to remain one of the game's elite pitchers. He spent the latter half of 2023 pitching through injury and underwent shoulder surgery weeks after the Dodger's NLDS exit at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Fans and teammates alike are eagerly anticipating his return to action, hopeful that he will achieve this milestone in 2024. The celebration will be a testament to his enduring excellence and dedication to the sport. Latest reports indicate Kershaw is on the road to returning ahead of schedule, perhaps we'll see some more of his artistry later in the season!

Putouts

Thriving:

Freddie Freeman

Milestone: 16000 Putouts

Current Total: 15375

Freddie Freeman, the ever-reliable first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is on the cusp of reaching an impressive career milestone with 16,000 putouts. Known for his exceptional defensive skills and consistent performance at first base, Freeman has been a cornerstone for his team both in Atlanta and now in Los Angeles. As of now, he sits just 625 putouts shy of this milestone. This season, Freeman has continued to showcase his defensive prowess, contributing significantly to the Dodgers' defensive stats. Given his track record and durability, reaching 16,000 putouts by the end of the season seems well within his grasp, further solidifying his reputation as one of the premier first basemen of his generation

Grinding:

Jose Abreu

Milestone: 10000 Putouts

Current Total: 9850

Jose Abreu is slowly closing in on 10,000 career putouts. Abreu has been a steady defensive presence since his MLB debut, and his journey to this milestone is a testament to his consistency and reliability at first base. Currently, he needs just 150 more putouts to reach 10,000. Abreu's performance this season has raised serious questions about his future in the sport, but given his average pace, he could reach this milestone within his next few weeks of play. Unfortunately, Jose was released by the Astros on June 14, 2024. Who knows where and when we will see him play next.

Injured:

Mike Trout

Milestone: 4000 Putouts

Current Total: 3439

Mike Trout has been on a quest to reach many milestones before his legendary career is over. Yet, his progress has been hampered by frequent injuries over the past few seasons. Known for his superb fielding and comprehensive skill set, Trout has faced multiple periods on the sidelines, which have impeded his advancement towards this goal. Currently, he is 561 putouts short of the 4,000 mark. Despite these challenges, Trout’s exceptional talent and determination ensure he remains one of the top outfielders in baseball. His fans and teammates remain optimistic about his return to full health, eager to see him continue his pursuit of this significant milestone. How will we celebrate Trout's career when it's all said and done?

As we reflect on the milestones these players are approaching, it's clear that the 2024 MLB season is shaping up to be one for the history books. Whether it's Paul Goldschmidt on the verge of his 2,000th hit, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer closing in on 3,500 strikeouts, or Freddie Freeman nearing 16,000 putouts, each achievement represents a significant chapter in their illustrious careers. Despite the challenges faced by players like Trevor Story and Mike Trout, their resilience and determination continue to inspire fans and teammates alike. As the season progresses, we eagerly anticipate these milestones being reached and the celebrations that will follow, reminding us all of the dedication and excellence that define Major League Baseball. Which milestone are you most interested in seeing accomplished this season, and how do you think it will impact the players' legacy?