From Yadier Molina to Max Scherzer, MLB milestones to watch in 2022

Here are the potential milestones in 2022 for Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera

Albert Pujols Milestones

By year’s end, even with very modest production, Pujols will be 12th in runs, 10th in hits, sixth in at-bats and plate appearances, fifth in doubles, home runs, and games played (including his 3000th game if he plays in 64), and third in extra-base hits, total bases, and RBI all-time in MLB history. While he will likely serve as a platoon DH wherever he ends up playing, if he repeats his .293/.336/.603 batting line against LHP pitching in 2022 all these milestones will be entirely possible.

Pujols is already one of the greatest hitters in history. He has reached all the significant milestones he will reach. With his numerous foot injuries in his career, he could choose to slowly walk away from the game rather than pursue another year. However, he has been playing winter ball this year and certainly seems like he’s not done yet.

Miguel Cabrera Milestones

The most celebrated milestone in MLB this year will be Cabrera’s 3,000th hit. With only 13 hits  remaining this should happen sometime early in the season. Who knows? Maybe hit number 3,000 will be his 600th double. While Cabrera is no longer a perennial MVP candidate, he’s still a league average hitter and has a 99 OPS+ over the last five combined seasons. Assuming he stays healthy and relatively productive, it’s entirely possible that Cabrera could pass guys like Rod Carew, Ichiro Suzuki, and Alex Rodriguez on the hit list this year.

There are a few other milestones to watch out for with Cabrera this season. The not-so-heralded milestone of 10,000 at-bats will be within reach, as will be entering the top-15 all-time in RBI and extra base hits. With just 11 more homers, he’ll top Ernie Banks and Eddie Matthews on the career list and if he can muster 20 home runs (something he has only done once in the last seven seasons), he’ll pass Frank Thomas, Willie McCovey, and Ted Williams. Cabrera is guaranteed $64 over the next two seasons so, if he doesn’t reach these marks in 2022, he’ll have another shot in 2023.

When Cabrera gets his 600th double and 3,000th hit, he will join Hank Aaron as the only two players in MLB history to hit 500 HR, 600 2B, 3,000 hits, and a career batting average over .300. Not too shabby.