MLB milestones that could be hit in 2024 season
Clayton Kershaw: 3,000 strikeouts
The Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander needs 56 strikeouts to reach 3,000 for his career. Kershaw would be the 20th pitcher to reach that mark, and just the third (Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson) to do so with only one team. If we assume Kershaw pitches the entirety of the second half, he would likely reach this milestone. But he has not pitched more than 60 innings in the second half of each of the last three full seasons. Shoulder surgery also could take something away from Kershaw and he may not be able to strike out as many players as he used to.
Paul Goldschmidt: 2,000 hits
The St. Louis Cardinals first baseman is just 91 hits away from 2,000. Although Goldschmidt is fresh off the worst season of his career, he still racked up 159 hits in 2023. Goldschmidt is also just a season removed from a National League MVP. He still has tons of production left in him and has the capability to bounce back from a subpar 2023. With no one in the Cardinals’ system ready to take over the first base position either, Goldschmidt’s journey to 2,000 hits should come to an end.
McCutchen, Rizzo: 300 home runs
While every other milestone here has some potential to fall apart, McCutchen, a Pirates outfielder, needs one home run to reach 300 for his career. Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo sits at 295 career homers.
Big deal for Acuña?
Ronald Acuña Jr., who became the fifth member of baseball’s 40-homer, 40-steal club last season, says he’d love to get a contract extension and stay with Atlanta the rest of his career, but Atlanta will wait. The Braves have him under contract for $17 million a year through 2026, and two option years at $17 million in 2027-2028.