Round Number Roundup: 2026 Milestone Watch

[Mike LeSage]

Last year, we looked at nine milestones across four levels of likelihood. Six of them were hit (all of the most likely ones), while the others are now closer to being realized. We also have a few new faces on the squad this year, so let's take a look at who might be putting up some round numbers this season. For the purposes of this article, we will be recognizing the aging curve for players but generally assuming a healthy season.

Countdown stats as of Opening Day 2026.  

From the Mound

 

• Max Scherzer - 3500 strikeouts (11 away)
• Kevin Gausman - 2000 strikeouts (46 away)
• José Berríos - 1500 strikeouts (19 away)
• Shane Bieber - 1000 strikeouts (5 away)

The four starters on the verge of strikeout milestones should all hit them fairly quickly. Bieber and Berríos have started the season on the IL, but Berríos is already throwing in Dunedin, and Bieber, whose timeline is less clear, has the potential for a May return. Assuming they are healthy enough to make a handful of starts, they’ll hit their marks. Gausman has already come out of the gate flying, knocking his number down to 35, and I don’t think there is anyone that could drag Scherzer away from the field before he gets the 11 Ks he needs. It’s kind of incredible to think that while Gausman sits sixth on the active strikeout list, he would need the entirety of Berríos’ career (16th active) to catch up with Scherzer (2nd active, 64 behind Verlander). 

• Max Scherzer - 3000 innings (37 away)
• Kevin Gausman - 2000 innings (89 away)
• Tyler Rogers - 500 games pitched (80 away)

Longevity milestones are less exciting, but still worth celebrating. Only 30 pitchers have made it to 3000 innings since 1977, and Scherzer will soon join them. Rogers has led the league in appearances four times in his career already. His career high is 81, and he’s already been called on twice in the Jays’ first two games, so this one is in play too.

Ernie, Varsh and The Kirk

Alejandro Kirk, Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement are all within striking distance of a handful of the same milestones. Some should fall early, while others will be a full-season chase.

• 500 hits (Kirk 11 away, Clement 158 away, Varsho 13 away)
• 100 doubles (Kirk 18 away, Clement 35 away)
• 200 runs (Kirk 16 away, Clement 27 away)
• 300 RBI (Kirk 37 away, Varsho 5 away)
• 100 home runs (Varsho 1 away)

Clement had a career-high 151 hits last season, so he’ll need to improve on that if he wants to hit 500, but after the postseason he had, I wouldn’t bet against him. His 35 doubles last season were also a career high, but with two in the first two games and no threat to his playing time, I think he gets this one too. Kirk has had between 16 and 19 doubles in each of the last four seasons, so he has a good chance too, but we likely don’t need to check in on the doubles count until September. Kirk’s first RBI and run of the season came on Toronto’s first home run of the season. He should hit both milestones easily.

The Spokesmen

Ahead of the first game of the season, it was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer that addressed the crowd before unveiling the newest banner to hang in the Rogers Centre. This season they should both surpass their share of round numbers.

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 200 home runs (17 away)
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 700 RBI (109 away)
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1000 games (25 away)
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 600 runs (29 away)
• George Springer - 300 home runs (7 away)
• George Springer - 1000 runs (18 away)

Vladdy is coming up on 1000 games, while Springer is closing down on 1000 runs, and there is a small chance that if things break just right, they hit the marks in the same game. Both players also have a home run milestone coming up. Springer is 15th on the active homers list and could see himself leapfrog a few players this season. Guerrero projects to have close to 100 runs and RBI each season, so he could very well be an annual inclusion for this column. If he hits the 700 RBI mark this season, we’ll truly be celebrating.

Round Numbers with Less Celebration

 

• Andrés Giménez - 100 HBP (16 away)
• Nathan Lukes - 100 runs (27 away), 100 RBI (23 away)

Giménez has double-digit hit by pitches in each of the last four seasons, including a league-leading 25 back in 2023. Shea Hillenbrand’s franchise record of 22 could be in trouble if Giménez regains that ‘23 form. For Lukes, this would be more of a celebration of him earning and keeping his spot on the team, but 100 of anything at the major league level is nothing to sneer at.

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