Aaron Choose, Cal Raleigh and Historical past: MLB’s 2nd-Half Milestone Watch Begins Now

MLB’s mathematically incorrect second half kicks off on July 18, and since we’re already with reference to math, let’s speak milestones. There are a great deal of milestones large and small that MLB’s gamers are on tempo for or may attain earlier than the tip of the 2025 season, and we’ve collected probably the most spectacular of the bunch for you right here.

Is your staff already out of rivalry? Or are you only a little bit of a baseball historical past nerd? Perhaps it’s each, and also you’re in search of one thing to latch on to exterior of the postseason chases. From house runs to hits to what might be the worst staff ever, we’ve bought you coated.

Aaron Choose

Yankees’ slugger Aaron Choose isn’t on tempo to set a selected report, no, however he is within the midst of one of many best offensive seasons within the historical past of MLB. One with a lot occurring value listening to that he deserves his personal part.

Choose has 35 homers, which places him on tempo for 59 by way of season’s finish. That might be the second-most of his profession — Choose is already the AL report holder for the 62 bombs he launched in 2022 — however it will additionally give him an opportunity at main the league in house runs. And Choose will want the homer lead if he’s going to win a Triple Crown — one thing he hasn’t performed but. Choose exits the All-Star break main the majors in batting common (.355), second in homers (three behind Cal Raleigh), and second in RBIs (81, one behind Raleigh). 

He’s additionally the present chief within the slash stat model of the triple crown, which isn’t formally acknowledged the identical manner however is lots spectacular itself. Choose is batting .355/.462/.733, and all three of these stats lead not simply the AL, however MLB. 

It is troublesome to overstate simply how unimaginable Aaron Choose’s 2025 has been. (Picture by Evan Bernstein/Getty Photos)

Choose has 258 complete bases, additionally good for first within the league and places him on tempo for 435. For all of Choose’s accomplishments, he’s but to have a season of 400 complete bases: there have been simply 30 such years in MLB, so he’s removed from alone on this. If Choose had been to get to 435, that will be good for sixth all-time, however he wants simply 420 to get into the highest 10. For reference, Shohei Ohtani’s 2024 with 54 homers and 99 extra-base hits complete is tied for sixteenth with Barry Bonds’ 73-homer 2001, at 411. On condition that context, a 435-total base tempo this late into the season is absurd.

Talking of extra-base hits, Choose has 61 of them by way of 96 video games (and 96 staff video games). That places him on tempo for 103, which might be simply the sixteenth season with no less than 100 extra-base hits. Have been Choose to get 103, it will put him in a seven-way tie for the sixth-most ever. One other two past that will get him into the highest 5.

Choose has 7.1 wins above alternative, per Baseball Reference’s accounting. That places him on tempo for 12 bWAR, which might be ok for the sixth-most ever by a place participant in a single season. In each of his MVP campaigns, Choose produced 10.8 bWAR. 

Cal Raleigh

Raleigh is deserving of his personal part, too, as he leads the majors in homers with 38. He’s performed in 94 of the Mariners’ 96 video games, placing him on tempo for 65 homers. That might be a brand new AL report, and tied for fourth all-time with Mark McGwire’s 1999. Raleigh simply must hit greater than 62 homers, nevertheless, and he’ll go Choose because the AL’s single-season chief.

What’s more likely than both of these issues taking place — it’s not that Raleigh can’t go deep 65 occasions, we’re simply speaking likelihood right here — is that he turns into the single-season chief for catchers. Salvador Perez hit 48 homers in 2021, which led the majors and in addition is probably the most any main backstop has ever managed in a season. Raleigh is 10 dingers shy of tying that with 66 extra staff video games to go.

If Raleigh finally ends up main the majors in homers like Perez did, will probably be a rarity. Johnny Bench led the majors in lengthy balls in each 1970 and 1972. Mike Piazza by no means did it regardless of being the all-time chief on the place, and neither did Carlton Fisk. It’ll be robust, with Choose proper behind him, however Raleigh would possibly pull this off, too.

Cal Raleigh has hoisted a trident within the Mariners’ dugout dozens of occasions already in 2025. (Picture by Gregory Shamus/Getty Photos)

Raleigh does have potential for yet another report in 2025. Probably the most house runs by a switch-hitter in a season is Mickey Mantle’s 54 in 1961. The closest anybody has gotten since is Lance Berkman’s 45 in 2006 — Mantle has the one two seasons of no less than 50 homers for a switch-hitter. Even when Raleigh doesn’t make it to 63 homers or lead the league, there’s nonetheless loads of historical past to be made as a result of his place and handedness, even when he “simply” will get to 50 lengthy balls by 12 months’s finish.

Dwelling Run/Stolen Bases Membership

Pete Crow-Armstrong has 25 house runs and 27 stolen bases by way of 95 video games (and 96 staff video games). The Cubs’ star outfielder is on tempo for 42 homers and 46 steals, which might make him simply the seventh-ever participant to affix the 40/40 membership, becoming a member of Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna, Alfonso Soriano, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco. 

Bobby Witt Jr. has made the 30/30 membership up to now two seasons, however he’ll must sustain his current homer tempo if he’s to do it a 3rd time: of Witt’s 14 homers, eight of them have come since June 1. He’s already at 25 steals, in order that half will probably be a lot easier. 

Jose Ramirez has 18 homers and 29 steals by way of 92 video games (95 staff video games), placing the Guardians’ third baseman on tempo for 31 homers and a career-high 50 steals. 

Oneil Cruz has performed in simply 85 of the Pirates’ 97 video games, which hurts him a little bit bit right here, however he’s on tempo for 28 homers and 51 thefts. Each can be career-highs, and if he can go on a little bit energy tear there, he would possibly even get to 30/30.

Elly De La Cruz hasn’t missed a Reds recreation but, so his 18 lengthy balls put him on tempo for 30 on the dot, and he initiatives to 42 steals, too. 

Elly De La Cruz is already practically there on steals, however he would not have a lot wiggle room on the homer facet. (Picture by Ron Jenkins/Getty Photos)

Kyle Tucker initiatives simply shy of the feat at current, with 17 homers in 95 video games (96 staff) placing him at 29, whereas his 22 steals put him on a 37-stolen base tempo. One large recreation — or two littler ones in succession — would change that equation, although.

Randy Arozarena would possibly come up simply shy on each, as he has 17 homers and 16 steals. Jackson Chourio is at 16 and 16. Francisco Lindor is at 19 and 15, Christian Yelich at 19 and 14.

The Rockies

The Rockies are 22-74, with a .229 profitable proportion. That places them on tempo for 37-125, which might be a brand new report for probably the most losses in a season — 4 extra losses than the very lately anointed report holder, the 2024 White Sox. A .229 profitable proportion would additionally mark the worst of these, because the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics at present high that checklist at .235. 

No matter whether or not the Rockies find yourself as the worst in both or each, with simply over two months to play, it appears very possible they’ll find yourself in no less than the highest 5 of each classes. Or backside 5, because it had been.

Dwelling Runs

There are 5 gamers with over 30 house runs in MLB because the league exits the All-Star break. Cal Raleigh (38), Aaron Choose (35), Shohei Ohtani (32), Eugenio Suarez (31) and Kyle Schwarber (30). Schwarber, regardless of mentioning the rear, is on tempo for 51 house runs. If — and this can be a enormous if — all 5 of those gamers hit no less than 50 homers in 2025, it will be the primary time that this has ever occurred.

There have been two seasons of 4 gamers with over 50 house runs, in 1998 and 2001. In each situations, there have been two gamers with over 60 homers, with certainly one of them hitting no less than 70. Mark McGwire hit 70 in ‘98, with Sammy Sosa’s 66 ending second, and in ‘01 it was Barry Bonds’ 73 and Sosa as soon as once more, this time with 64. 

In MLB’s lengthy historical past, there have been all of 13 seasons with multiple 50-homer participant: 1938, 1947, 1961, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2017 and 2024. There have been simply 32 gamers to hit no less than 50 homers, with 10 of them managing to hit that mark greater than as soon as. Even when all 5 of those gamers don’t truly attain 50, the outcomes are going to be important in a roundabout way, whether or not it’s 4, three, two or simply the one.

Mike Trout is 5 house runs from the four-hundredth of his profession. Bryce Harper is simply 4 from 350. Carlos Santana is 15 from 350, however as he has 11 on the 12 months, chances are high good he’ll have to attend till 2026 to get the remainder of the best way. Equally, Salvador Perez is 14 from 300, however has hit 13 to date. He did hit 27 simply final 12 months, nevertheless. 

Mike Trout has missed a variety of time the previous couple of years, however remains to be a handful of homers from 400. (Picture by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Pictures by way of Getty Photos)

Giancarlo Stanton sits at 433 homers, the Fiftieth-most ever. If he may go deep eight extra occasions earlier than 2025 ends, he’d rank forty fourth all-time, surpassing Jason Giambi. One other 10 homers for Paul Goldschmidt — he’s at 370 — would have him seventy fifth. As he has simply eight homers this 12 months, nevertheless, that may have to attend. 

Nolan Arenado, Aaron Choose, and Bryce Harper are all approaching the highest 100 in profession homers. Arenado wants only one extra, and he’ll bounce from a tie at 101 to a three-way tie for 99th. Choose wants two extra to do the identical, whereas Harper wants six extra. As soon as all of them get to 355 — and Dodgers’ first baseman Freddie Freeman hits two extra, too —  this foursome can have pushed Luis Gonzalez, Torii Hunter, Ellis Burks and Ryan Braun out of the highest 100. 

For basic context on what being top-100 all-time means, simply know that per Baseball Reference’s recordkeeping, the 23,five hundredth participant to look in an MLB recreation debuted in 2025. You are speaking higher than 99th percentile right here if you get to the 100 most of something in league historical past.

Runs

Christian Yelich is six runs from 1,000 for his profession. Arenado wants one other 17 to hit 1,000. Francisco Lindor is a bit additional away, at 957, however he’s on tempo for 107 — he may simply get there. Marcus Semien wants simply three extra runs than Lindor, however he’s hit a lot worse this 12 months and for a staff with a worse offense, in order that’s unlikely. Lindor’s former teammate Jose Ramirez would possibly be capable of sneak it in, nevertheless, as he’s 48 shy — the Guardians can’t hit, both, however no less than Ramirez is a risk to drive himself in.

Freddie Freeman has 1,344 runs in his profession, placing him 42 shy of reaching Lou Whitaker and a tie for a centesimal all-time. That’s most likely an extended shot, however possibly he and the Dodgers will get actual sizzling once more within the final two months.

Hits

Trea Turner has 1,464 hits — one other 36, and he’ll have 1,500 for his profession. Amed Rosario is simply 4 knocks from 1,000, whereas Kyle Schwarber wants one other eight. Shohei Ohtani will get his 1,000th profession MLB hit with one other 20 of them: between Nippon Skilled Baseball and MLB, nevertheless, Ohtani is already at 1,277. 

RBIs

Paul Goldschmidt is 27 RBIs shy of 1,250 for his profession, which might bump him to 137th all-time, whereas Mike Trout wants one other 5 for 1,000. Salvador Perez is 30 away from 1,000. Freddie Freeman wants one other 45 RBIs to make it into MLB’s all-time high 100 — he’s at present in 126th place with 1,281.

Freddie Freeman is inching nearer to being a top-100 participant in increasingly more profession statistics. (Picture by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Photos)

Occasions on base

Freddie Freeman has been on base 3,514 occasions in his profession — that’s hits, walks and hit by pitches. One other 28 occasions on base, and he’ll attain the highest 100, tying him with Brett Butler. The Pirates Andrew McCutchen is 67 away from doing the identical.

Doubles

Nick Castellanos is six doubles away from 400 for his profession, a threshold that simply 198 gamers have reached. Paul Goldschmidt is on tempo for 37 doubles this 12 months, and if he will get there, he’d bounce from a tie for 92nd all-time to sole possession of 81st. Freddie Freeman is already forty third in historical past with 533, and on tempo for 44 doubles. If he will get there, he’d bounce forward of former teammate and Corridor of Famer Chipper Jones for thirty first all-time, passing the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter, Tony Gwynn, Rogers Hornsby, Dave Winfield and Lou Gehrig alongside the best way.

Walks

You’ll suppose that there’s nothing else that Freddie Freeman may presumably accomplish in 2025, however there’s yet another factor: walks. If he will get 26 extra free passes — he has 33 and is on tempo for 58 — he’ll attain MLB’s high 100 there, too, tying Bernie Williams.

Stolen Bases

Starling Marte is the lively steals chief with 359, and has 5 on the 12 months. If he can squeeze 4 extra out of 2025, he’ll enter right into a tie for a centesimal in MLB historical past with Hal Chase. One other 28 stolen bases for Jose Ramirez will put him at 300, although, that’s most likely an early 2026 milestone as he’s on tempo for an additional 21 earlier than the 12 months ends. 

Wins

Justin Verlander has 262 profession wins, placing him forty first all-time. He’s additionally been at 262 profession wins all season lengthy: Verlander is 0-7. If he can decide up just a few within the second half, although, he may make it into the highest 40: Gus Weyhing has 264, and Jim McCormick, in thirty ninth, has 265.

Wins have been not possible to come back by for Justin Verlander in 2025. (Picture by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Photos)

Max Scherzer solely lately returned from the IL, and he’s in a three-way tie for eighty fifth with 217 victories. Six extra would create a four-way logjam for seventy fifth. Clayton Kershaw is only one win behind Scherzer in his profession. Given how a lot rarer pitcher wins are lately than even through the prime of their careers, they may be the final three anybody can watch the wins of for years — Gerrit Cole is fourth on the lively checklist with 153, tied for 250th ever.

Strikeouts

Verlander can’t decide up a win to save lots of his life in the meanwhile, however he’s no less than nonetheless pitching properly sufficient to overlook some bats. One other 17 strikeouts, and he’ll attain 3,500 for his profession: simply 9 pitchers have ever managed the feat. There may be 11 prior to later, nevertheless, as Scherzer is all of 69 punch outs again of 3K. 

Walter Johnson sits ninth with 3,509 strikeouts. With 27 extra, Verlander would bump him to tenth. Scherzer, in the meantime, wants one other 79 to go Johnson, securing his spot within the high 10 behind the transferring goal that’s Verlander. For Scherzer, each of those accomplishments are extra possible in 2026 given the time he’s missed this season, however you by no means know if he’ll flash a little bit of the outdated Max for the remainder of the summer season.

Tarik Skubal

The reigning AL Cy Younger winner and a favourite for the 2025 award, Skubal leads the majors in each strikeouts per 9 and walks per 9. In keeping with MLB’s Sarah Langs, no certified pitcher has ever led the majors in each in the identical 12 months. Skubal has a slight lead on Zack Wheeler in Okay/9 — 11.380 to 11.361 — and a bit extra respiratory room on the walks facet, at 1.190 in comparison with Zack Littell’s 1.315.

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, and observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised e-newsletter day by day!