Cards
BASEBALL MILESTONES: Collectors track these MLB stars as they chase key career stats
With the 2026 MLB season under way, it’s time to look at some career stats to see which players can achieve key milestones and move up the leaderboards this season.
Numbers mean more in baseball than in any other sport. Stats like 500 home runs, 3,000 hits, 300 wins, 3,000 strikeouts, 500 saves are all Hall of Fame-worthy numbers.
Although these elite tiers will not be reached this season, there are some players inching closer to those key marks and joining elite company.
Not only are these stats well known in baseball circles, they are also coveted by collectors. A quick search of the PSA Set Registry reveals many collectors who chase cards of players that reach these milestones. There are currently 263 sets listed in the 500 Home Run Club. The 3,000 Hit Club has 272 sets, while the 3,000 Strikeouts Club has 260. There are also sets for both 200 and 300 Wins, as well as 300 Saves and 600 Stolen Bases.
If there is a niche that can spur a collector to chase certain players and cards, it will be found.
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We take a look at key milestones and cards in four batting categories: hits, home runs, RBI, and stolen bases. And three pitching categories: wins, strikeouts and saves. Each category features the active leader, as well as those close to the key milestone.
HITS
The key number from a longevity standpoint is 3,000 hits, and that level has not been reached since Miguel Cabrera in 2022. There are no current players within reach, but two can reach 2,500 hits, including active leader Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers.
Active Leader
Freddie Freeman: 2,431 hits
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps #145
2,500 Hit Club: (up to 2,599): Joe Morgan, Todd Helton, Heinie Manush, Richie Ashburn, Ernie Banks, Reggie Jackson, Vladimir Guerrero, Ed Delahanty
Jose Altuve: 2,388
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps Update #US132
Nolan Arenado: 1,921
Key Rookie Card: 2013 Topps Update #US259
Carlos Santana: 1,880
Key Rookie Card: 2010 Topps Update #US330
George Springer: 1,480
Key Rookie Card: 2014 Topps Update #US10
Eugenio Suarez: 1,434
Key Rookie Card: 2014 Topps Update #US96
HOME RUNS
Nothing gets more notoriety in baseball than the home run as everyone “digs the long ball.”
500 career home runs has been the gold standard for the Hall of Fame and one player, Giancarlo Stanton of the Yankees, would need to have his best season ever to reach it this season but stranger things have happened. He can for sure reach it next season.
Active Leader
Giancarlo Stanton: 453 home runs
Key Rookie Card: 2010 Topps Chrome #190
500 Home Run Club members in the Hall of Fame (up to 599): Eddie Murray, Mel Ott, Eddie Mathews, Ernie Banks, Ted Williams, Frank Thomas, Willie McCovey, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, David Ortiz, Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson, Harmon Killebrew, and Frank Robinson.
Mike Trout: 404
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps Update #US175
Paul Goldschmidt: 372
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps Update #US47
Manny Machado: 369
Key Rookie Card: 2013 Topps #270
Aaron Judge: 368
Key Rookie Card: 2017 Topps #287
Freddie Freeman: 367
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps #145
Bryce Harper: 363
Key Rookie Card: 2012 Topps Update #US183
Marcell Ozuna: 296
Key Rookie Card: 2013 Topps Update #US279
George Springer: 293
Key Rookie Card: 2014 Topps Update #US10
Mookie Betts: 291
Key Rookie Card: 2014 Topps Update #US26
Matt Olson: 288
Key Rookie Card: 2017 Topps #476
Jose Ramirez: 285
Key Rookie Card: 2014 Topps #424
Shohei Ohtani: 280
Key Rookie Card: 2018 Topps #700
Francisco Lindor: 279
Key Rookie Card: 2015 Topps Update #US82
Pete Alonso: 264
Key Rookie Card: 2019 Topps #475
RBI
Freddie Freeman is the active leader in this category. He could reach 1,400 RBI this season, joining 13 Hall of Famers who have reached at least that level.
Active Leader
Freddie Freeman: 1,322 RBI
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps #145
Hall of Fame Members of the 1,400 RBI Club (up to 1499): Robin Yount, Todd Helton, Jim Bottomley, Joe Cronin, Charlie Gehringer, Yogi Berra, George Davis, Jim Rice, Eddie Mathews, Ed Delahanty, Billy Williams, Dave Parker, Vladimir Guerrero
Paul Goldschmidt: 1,232
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps Update #US47
Nolan Arenado: 1,184
Key Rookie Card: 2013 Topps Update #US259
Giancarlo Stanton: 1,169
Key Rookie Card: 2010 Topps Chrome #190
Andrew McCutchen: 1,152
Key Rookie Card: 2005 Topps Update #UH329
Manny Machado: 1,144
Key Rookie Card: 2013 Topps #270
Jose Ramirez: 949
Key Rookie Card: 2014 Topps #424
Marcell Ozuna: 948
Key Rookie Card: 2013 Topps Update #US279
STOLEN BASES
Since all-time stolen base leader Rickey Henderson retired, this is probably the hardest milestone to achieve for active players. Starling Marte currently leads the majors but will need two seasons to move into the 400 Steals Club.
Active Leader
Starling Marte: 361 stolen bases
Key Rookie Card: 2012 Topps Update #US109
Hall of Fame Members of the 400 Stolen Base Club (up to 499): Frank Chance, Craig Biggio, Charlie Comiskey, Frankie Frisch, Tris Speaker, John McGraw, Joe Kelley, Ed Delahanty, Tommy McCarthy, Willie Keeler
Jose Altuve: 325
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps Update #US132
Trea Turner: 315
Key Rookie Card: 2016 Topps #103
Jose Ramirez: 287
Key Rookie Card: 2014 Topps #424
Mookie Betts: 196
Key Rookie Card: 2014 Topps Update #US26
WINS
There is one pitcher who can reach the 300 Win Club—Justin Verlander, who is back with the Tigers. He is going to have to fight “Father Time” as he needs 34 wins at 42 years old.
Active Leader
Justin Verlander: 266 Wins
Key Rookie Card: 2005 Topps #677
Hall of Fame Members of the 300 Win Club (up to 399): Early Wynn, Lefty Grove, Randy Johnson, Tom Glavine, Mickey Welch, Old Hoss Radbourn, Tom Seaver, Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro, Don Sutton, Nolan Ryan, Eddie Plank, John Clarkson, Steve Carlton, Tim Keefe, Greg Maddux, Kid Nichols, Warren Spahn, Pud Galvin, Christy Mathewson, Grover Alexander
Max Scherzer: 221
Key Rookie Card: 2008 Topps Update #UH280
Chris Sale: 145
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps #65
SAVES
This category has the biggest names on the verge of reaching key career milestones.
Kenley Jansen, now with the Tigers, has a chance to reach 500 saves and become the only member of that club. Two more closers could reach 450 and 400 saves, respectively. The saves category has been diminished somewhat by the recent emphasis on bullpens and teams going with more of a committee approach.
Active Leader
Kenley Jansen: 476 saves
Key Rookie Card: 2010 Topps Update #US-114
Hall of Fame Members of the 500 Saves Club (up to 599): None. Hall of Famers Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera are both in the 600 Saves Club.
Craig Kimbrel: 440
Key Rookie Card: 2010 Topps Pro Debut #5
Aroldis Chapman: 367
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps Opening Day #60
Edwin Diaz: 253
Key Rookie Card: 2016 Topps Update #US214
Raisel Iglesias: 253
Key Rookie Card: 2015 Topps #427
Josh Hader: 227
Key Rookie Card: 2017 Topps Update #US209
STRIKEOUTS
Here is another stat that once had many pitchers climbing the ladder because they made the maximum number of starts each season and pitched deep into games. The top hurlers used to top 200 innings consistently. Now they are lucky to reach 170-180 due to innings limits and an emphasis on relief pitchers.
Justin Verlander leads the way as one of the few active starters that bridge the gap from a different era, as does second-place Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Active Leader
Justin Verlander: 3,553 Wins
Key Rookie Card: 2005 Topps #677
Hall of Fame Members of the 3,600 Strikeout Club (up to 3,599): Don Sutton.
Max Scherzer: 3,489
Key Rookie Card: 2008 Topps Update #UH280
Chris Sale: 2,579
Key Rookie Card: 2011 Topps #65
Kevin Gausman: 1,954
Key Rookie Card: 2013 Topps Update #US274
Sonny Gray: 1,925
Key Rookie Card: 2013 Topps Update #G42
Aaron Nola: 1,876
Key Rookie Card: 2016 Topps #133
