On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
10 MLB players who could set records in 2025
Following the Tokyo Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, which served as a homecoming for Japanese two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and marked the largest standalone international event in Major League Baseball history, the 2025 season is officially underway.
Once more, 30 teams will compete for a chance to secure the coveted World Series title. En route to an exciting playoff finish, the regular season figures to offer several amazing feats, too.
Let's take a look at 10 players that could set records in 2025.
Elly De La Cruz: Second player since 2000 to swipe 60+ stolen bases in consecutive seasons
Last year, De La Cruz established himself as an emerging star in Cincinnati. The Reds phenom was a first-time All-Star who hit 25 homers and swiped a Major League-leading 67 bags. Should he replicate his success on the base paths, the Reds speedster would join Jose Reyes (2005, 2006, 2007) as the only players since 2000 to notch 60+ stolen bases in consecutive seasons.
Shohei Ohtani: First foreign-born player to win Cy Young and MVP in the same season
Fresh off a historic season in which he mashed 54 home runs and swiped 59 bags, Ohtani could add his name to the record books again in 2025.
After rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery during his inaugural season with the Dodgers, the two-way star is expected to return to the mound as a starting pitcher. While his hitting prowess will keep him in MVP chatter, Ohtani is still an absolutely filthy pitcher who could push for the National League Cy Young Award, too.
Should he win both awards, Ohtani would be the first foreign-born player to win MVP and Cy Young in a single season.
Pete Alonso: Will the Polar Bear become the Mets all-time home runs leader?
Alonso enters the 2025 season just 26 home runs shy of tying Darryl Strawberry for the most all-time home runs in franchise history. Given that Alonso has mashed 30+ home runs in all but one season so far, it seems likely that the Polar Bear will become the Mets all-time home runs leader by season's end.
Juan Soto and Pete Alonso: Could become the first Mets teammates with 40+ home runs each in a single season
This offseason, the Mets made headlines by inking Soto to a massive 15-year, $765 million contract. With the All-Star slugger now paired with the aforementioned Alonso, the Mets boast one of the most feared lineups in the majors.
Should Soto (41) and Alonso (53) replicate their career-high home run totals, the hard-hitting duo would become the first Mets teammates to mash 40+ homers apiece in a single season.
Clayton Kershaw: Could become the third pitcher in history to record 3,000+ strikeouts with a single franchise
Kershaw has spent his entire 17-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and set numerous records along the way. With 32 strikeouts this season, he would join Bob Gibson and Walter Johnson as the only pitchers to record 3,000 strikeouts with a single franchise.
Bobby Witt Jr.: Third consecutive 30/30 season
Last year, Witt Jr. became the first shortstop in MLB history with multiple seasons of at least 30 homers and 30 stolen bases. This year, he’s projected for 31 home runs and 36 stolen bases, which would be his third 30-30 season, all consecutive.
With an encore performance, Witt Jr. would join Barry Bonds as the only players with three straight such seasons. Additionally, Witt. Jr would become the first player with at least 20 homers and 30 stolen bases in each of his first four seasons.
Mike Trout: First Angel with 400 career home runs
Making history is nothing new for Trout. A three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, Trout is already a surefire Hall of Famer, but could add to his lengthy resume again this season.
With 22 home runs this season, Trout would become the first Angel with 400 career home runs.
Paul Skenes: First Pirates pitcher with multiple seasons with a sub-2.00 ERA
Skenes lived up to the hype in his rookie season in Pittsburgh. The former LSU standout went 11-3, fanned 170 batters and posted a 1.96 ERA through 23 starts.
While its easier said than done, an encore performance would make Skenes the first Pirates pitcher with multiple seasons with a sub-2.00 ERA.
Shohei Ohtani: Fastest player to reach 200+ homers and 200+ stolen bases
A two-way phenom, its only right that reigning NL MVP Ohtani makes it on this list twice.
Through the first 860 games, Ohtani has compiled 225 homers (he hit career homer No. 226 during the Tokyo Series) and 145 stolen bases. If he's able to swipe 55+ bags in the first 59 games of the season, Ohtani would surpass Alfonso Soriano (929 games) for the fastest track to 200+ homers and 200+ stolen bases.
Manny Machado: First Padre to notch 200 career home runs
Through six seasons in San Diego, Machado has quickly ascended the Padres all-time ranks. The two-time Gold Glove winner ranks top 10 in hits and RBI in Padres history, while also serving as the franchise's all-time leader in home runs.
With 33 home runs this season, Machado could become the first Padre with 200 career home runs.
More must-reads:
- Five bold Royals predictions not involving Bobby Witt Jr.
- Mets' Clay Holmes primed for starting role ahead of Opening Day
- The 'MLB franchise home run leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Milwaukee Brewers outfield will be without two key contributors against Cincinnati Reds
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to head into a pivotal 19-game-in-18-day stretch short-handed as they open their series against the Cincinnati Reds. While no official announcement has been made, it was previously reported that outfielder Isaac Collins would miss the series for the birth of his child. Now, it appears Blake Perkins may also be unavailable. Outfielder Blake Perkins may be unavailable against the Cincinnati Reds Per Blake Perkin’s MLB transaction page, he was placed on the bereavement list on Aug. 14. The bereavement list is a temporary roster designation that allows a player to take time off due to a death or serious illness in their immediate family. The organization hasn't commented on the situation. Tyler Black and Steward Berroa have been called up by the Milwaukee Brewers With Collins and Perkins unavailable against the Reds, veteran reporter Francys Romero indicated that Tyler Black and Steward Berroa were called up to the big leagues. Black is primarily an infielder, whereas Berroa is a speedy outfielder who could make an impact over the weekend series, especially with Jackson Chourio still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
NFL Draft intel: Big Ten QB's elite arm turning heads among scouts
Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. From an Indiana quarterback to a Louisville wide receiver, here are five players we're tracking: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates listed Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) as their No. 5 QB on "First Draft" on Wednesday. Yates gushed over his arm. "This kid is legit," Yates said. "He makes a lot of cool throws. He makes a lot of very confident throws that I'm not sure other quarterbacks would even see." That's one reason the California Golden Bears transfer produced in 2024 without stellar weapons. The program had no offensive players selected in the 2025 draft, but he completed 68.7 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games. Imagine what he could do at Indiana, which made the College Football Playoff last season. Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti has said Mendoza's arm is stronger than former starting QB Kurtis Rourke's (now with the San Francisco 49ers). He tied for the FBS's 10th-most passing TDs (29 in 12 games) last season. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier On Aug. 8, LSU HC Brian Kelly confirmed Nussmeier has chronic patellar tendinitis in his left knee. The coach downplayed the injury. While not season-ending, Yates believes it will concern teams. "Get ready for a long medical conversation surrounding Garrett Nussmeier from late February into March prior to the predraft process," he said on "First Draft." The injury hasn't affected Nussmeier's odds of being the top pick in the draft. As of Thursday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists him as the favorite (+340) to go No. 1 overall in 2026. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder may dispel the medical questions if he excels again in 2025. Last season, he ranked fifth in the FBS in passing yards (4,052 in 13 games). Clemson QB Cade Klubnik In his latest mock draft, The Ringer's Todd McShay has the Cleveland Browns taking Klubnik (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) with pick No. 1. "If the Browns are picking No. 1 in 2026, it means none of their quarterbacks did enough to claim the job long term, including Shedeur Sanders, despite his impressive preseason debut," wrote McShay. "Enter Klubnik, who's calm in chaos and has enough mobility and arm strength to succeed at the next level." Jacksonville Jaguars fifth-year QB Trevor Lawrence is the only Clemson player to be taken No. 1 overall in the draft. Klubnik could lead the No. 4 Tigers to a national championship, like Lawrence did during the 2018 season. The senior finished with the nation's third-most passing TDs (36 in 14 games) in 2024. With star wide receivers Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr. returning, Klubnik could have another big year. The wideouts combined for 16 TD catches last season. Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq Sadiq (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) should assume a bigger role after the Los Angeles Rams took former Ducks TE Terrance Ferguson (pick No. 46) in the 2025 draft. CBS Sports' Mike Renner ranked Sadiq as his No. 1 TE and believes he could go higher in the draft than Ferguson. "Even if he's on the smallish side by NFL standards, it did not show up much as a run-blocker," wrote Renner in a story published Wednesday. "Sadiq's play strength was unique for a true sophomore and should only improve as his career progresses. A potential top-20 talent with development." Sadiq — who had just two touchdown catches in 14 games last season — isn't considered a first-rounder yet. Tankathon's latest mock draft has the Carolina Panthers selecting him with pick No. 70 in the third round. His stock could skyrocket if he produces better numbers. Louisville WR Chris Bell Bell (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) may check the boxes for NFL teams when evaluating WRs before the draft. The Athletic's Dane Brugler rates him as his No. 2 WR. "With his strong, muscular frame, Bell passes the eye test walking off the bus," wrote Brugler in a story published Thursday. "He uses his physicality to be a possession target who can make tough grabs over defenders. And with his 4.4 speed, Bell can separate vertically or create explosive plays after the catch." Per Brugler, Bell must expand his route tree to improve his draft stock. He must also prove that he can succeed without QB Tyler Shough (now with the New Orleans Saints). Bell could still be productive after recording a career-high 737 receiving yards in 13 games last season. He has been named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The award recognizes college football's top WR.
Mike Vrabel jumps into the middle of another training-camp fight
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has taken quite the beating during training camp this year, and it seems like that is just the way he wants it. Vrabel made headlines last week when he jumped into the middle of a fight to separate his Patriots players from Washington Commanders players during a joint practice. The coach was left bleeding from the side of his face when the dust settled. The minor injury did not deter Vrabel. When the Patriots got into another scrum on Thursday, this time during a joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings, Vrabel was quick to put himself right in the middle of the action again. You can see a video here. Vrabel, a former Pro Bowl linebacker, is known for being hands-on during practices. The 50-year-old has an intense side to him, which is something a lot of players respond to. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had a great reaction the last time Vrabel jumped in to break up a fight. Vrabel played for the Patriots from 2001-2008 and won three Super Bowls with the team. This is his first year as the head coach in New England, but he has plenty of experience from the six seasons he spent as head coach of the Tennessee Titians from 2018-2023. The Patriots are hoping Vrabel can lead them back to the playoffs after they won just four games in each of the past two seasons. It remains to be seen if he can do that, but there is no denying his level of intensity on the practice field.
Max Johnson reacts to Bill Belichick going to transfer portal for new QB
North Carolina's Bill Belichick has found himself in a very interesting situation as he gears up for his first season as a college football head coach. On one hand, he has what every new coach covets: An experienced quarterback with an NFL pedigree. That would be Max Johnson, the son of former NFL quarterback Brad Johnson. Johnson missed a majority of the 2024 season after suffering a broken femur in the season opener, but he's healthy heading into this 2025 season and has 22 starts under his belt between stops at LSU and Texas A M. One would think Johnson would be UNC's clear starter, but he is coming off a catastrophic injury and only just recently got back to full-strength. On the other hand, one of Belichick's first moves at UNC was going into the transfer portal to bring in redshirt sophomore Gio Lopez from South Alabama to compete for the starting job. That's a move that could have easily rattled Johnson, but in an in-depth look at his recovery from that terrible femur injury by Andrea Adelson of ESPN, the sixth-year quarterback explained that he understood why Belichick did what he did. "I get it. You have to go in the portal," Johnson says. "I didn't know if I was going to be ready. They didn't know. They asked me those questions. I'm telling them I'm going to be ready, because I know myself. But it's tough from their point of view because it's like, 'OK, we've got to make a business decision.'" Belichick made a business decision and it's worth noting that while Johnson is saying the right things about the introduction of Lopez into the equation, he's also walking the walk. "I transfer in, we're both competing for the spot, and people paint this narrative like they must not like each other. Me and Max are actually great friends," Lopez explained. A starter has not yet been named by Belichick, but one gets the sense that if Johnson gets the call, he'll be ready to pick right back off where he left off with no reservations. And as Lopez tells it, if he ends up winning the starting gig, UNC can expect to have a more than supportive backup in Johnson. "He's been super helpful with the offense. There's no second agenda with him, where he's trying to throw me off. He's been great," Lopez said.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
