Get ready to witness baseball history in the making! The 2026 MLB season promises to be nothing short of legendary, with 11 players projected to achieve feats that could etch their names in the record books forever. But here’s where it gets really exciting: some of these milestones are so rare, they’ve only been accomplished by a handful of players in the entire history of the game. And this is the part most people miss—these aren’t just stats; they’re stories of consistency, dominance, and unparalleled skill. Let’s dive into the details and explore why this season could be one for the ages.
Juan Soto is on the verge of something extraordinary. Projected to post a .413 on-base percentage (OBP), he’s poised to lead the NL and trail only Aaron Judge in the MLB. This would mark Soto’s ninth consecutive season with an OBP of at least .395—a feat only matched by legends like Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and Ferris Fain. But here’s the kicker: Soto’s also projected to hit 34 home runs and draw 117 walks, which would be his sixth season with at least 25 homers and 115 walks. Only Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams have more such seasons. Is Soto the modern-day equivalent of these all-time greats? Let us know in the comments!
Then there’s Shohei Ohtani, the two-way phenom who continues to redefine what’s possible. After becoming the first player to join the 50-50 club (55 home runs and 62 strikeouts as a pitcher in 2025), Ohtani is projected to hit 43 home runs and strike out 136 batters in 2026. This would mark his third season with at least 40 home runs and 100 strikeouts, a feat he’s already accomplished in 2021 and 2023. But here’s the controversial part: Is Ohtani the greatest player of all time? Or is it too early to crown him?
Paul Skenes is another name to watch. At just 24 years old, he’s projected to lead the NL in ERA (2.92) for the second straight year and top the league in strikeouts (237). If he pulls this off, he’ll be the youngest pitcher to lead his league in ERA in back-to-back seasons since 1913. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Skenes the next Clayton Kershaw, or is he on a trajectory to surpass even the greats?
Tarik Skubal is no slouch either. Projected to lead MLB with a 2.81 ERA and 242 strikeouts, while tying for the lead in wins (14), Skubal could become just the fourth pitcher since 1969 to win the MLB Triple Crown. But here’s the part most people miss: If both Skenes and Skubal lead their leagues in ERA, it would be the first time in history that back-to-back winners in both leagues occur in the same season. How significant do you think this achievement would be?
Aaron Judge is projected to tie Ohtani for the MLB lead in home runs, potentially marking his fifth season with at least 45 homers. Only seven players in history have achieved this, including Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds. Judge’s projected 172 wRC+ would also make him 72% better than the league average offensively. But here’s the question: Is Judge’s consistency underrated, or is he simply benefiting from a power-friendly era?
Kyle Schwarber is on pace for another 40-homer season, which would give him 227 home runs in his first five years with the Phillies. The only player to surpass this? Babe Ruth, with 235. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Schwarber’s power surge sustainable, or is he due for a regression?
For the speedsters, Corbin Carroll, José Ramírez, and Bobby Witt Jr. are all projected to hit at least 25 home runs and steal 30 bases. If any of them slightly exceeds their home run projection, we could see multiple 30-30 seasons. Ramírez, in particular, could become just the second player in history (after Barry Bonds) to achieve three consecutive 30-30 seasons. But here’s the question: Are we underappreciating the rarity of the 30-30 club in today’s game?
Finally, Cal Raleigh, last year’s home run king, is projected to hit 38 home runs—the highest projection for a catcher since 2012. This would be his fourth season with at least 30 homers, putting him in the company of Mike Piazza, Johnny Bench, and Roy Campanella. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Raleigh’s power enough to elevate him to Hall of Fame status?
And let’s not forget Luis Arraez, who’s projected to lead MLB with a .305 batting average. If he signs with a new team, he could become the first player to win a batting title with four different teams. But here’s the part most people miss: Is Arraez’s contact-heavy approach the future of hitting, or is it a dying art?
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a historic one, filled with milestones that could redefine the game. Which player’s achievement are you most excited to see? And which record do you think is most likely to fall? Let us know in the comments!
