MLB Records That Could Break in 2026
- Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber is rapidly ascending the list of players with the most home runs in their first few seasons with a single team, currently ranking...
- Schwarber's power hitting has been evident since joining the Phillies.
- Reaching 40 home runs in the 2024 season would bring Schwarber's five-year total with the Phillies to 227.
It’s almost baseball season, which means we are well into projection season. Until we get to see it all play out on the field,we can take a look at how it may go.
Sometimes certain projected stat lines really stand out, and get us thinking about how remarkable the season might be for that player. Looking at FanGraphs Steamer projections, there are players whose numbers would reach the record books.
Here’s a look at 11 players who are projected to do something historic.Juan Soto: ninth straight .395 OBP, sixth season with 25+ homers and 115+ walks
Soto’s projected .413 on-base percentage would lead the NL, trailing only Aaron Judge‘s .417 in MLB. This would mark the ninth season of Soto’s career with at least a .395 on-base percentage. The only AL/NL players to have at least a .395 OBP in each of their first nine or more seasons are Ted williams (first 17 seasons), stan Musial (14) and Ferris Fain.As it stands, soto’s streak of eight straight such seasons to start his career is tied for fourth, with Frank Thomas, Wade Boggs and Charlie Keller. Soto is projected for 34 homers and 117 walks.This would be his sixth season with at least 25 homers and 115 walks. His five such seasons already are tied with Jim Thome and lou Gehrig for fourth most in a career, behind only Barry Bonds (13 seasons), Babe Ruth (10) and Williams (nine). soto’s active streak of five consecutive seasons played with those totals is tied for second longest, with Bonds from 2000-04, behind Williams’ six from 1941-42 and 1946-49 (military service 1943-45).Ohtani was incredible yet again last year, establishing a new 50-50 club with 55 home runs and 62 strikeouts as a pitcher. now, in 2026, we get a full season of two-way Shotime. He’s projected for 136 strikeouts on the mound and 43 homers at the plate,tied with Judge for the most in MLB. There’s only one player in MLB history to have more than 15 home runs as a hitter and more than 30 strikeouts as a pitcher in a season: Ohtani, in 2018, ’21, ’22, ’23 and ’25. With his projected 43 home runs and 136 strikeouts on the mound, he would have the third season in history with 40 and 100, joining his output in 2021 (46 home runs, 156 strikeouts) and 2023 (44, 167). no matter how you slice it, he’s one of one.
Paul Skenes: NL leader in ERA for second straight year, NL leader in strikeouts
Skenes just keeps getting better. He’s already just the third pitcher to win both Rookie of the Year and a Cy Young Award by the end of his second season,
Kyle Schwarber’s Home run Pace with the Philadelphia Phillies
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Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber is rapidly ascending the list of players with the most home runs in their first few seasons with a single team, currently ranking third all-time after four seasons with 182 home runs. His recent re-signing with the Phillies provides an chance to continue adding to this remarkable total.
early Career Home Run Totals
Schwarber’s power hitting has been evident since joining the Phillies. Through his first four seasons (2023-2026), he has hit 182 home runs, placing him behind only Mark McGwire (191 home runs with the St. Louis Cardinals) and Babe Ruth (189 home runs with the New York Yankees) for the most home runs by a player in their first four seasons with a team. his contract extension with the Phillies ensures he can continue to build on this record.
Projected Home Run Totals
Reaching 40 home runs in the 2024 season would bring Schwarber’s five-year total with the Phillies to 227. This would make him the only player in Major League Baseball history to achieve that many home runs within his first five years with a single franchise.The current record is held by Babe Ruth with 226 home runs in his first five seasons with the Yankees.
Philadelphia Phillies and Schwarber’s Impact
The Philadelphia Phillies have benefited significantly from Schwarber’s offensive contributions. His power hitting provides a key element to their lineup and contributes to their overall success. Schwarber’s continued presence in Philadelphia is expected to bolster the team’s chances of competing for championships.