Opening Day for the Toronto Blue Jays is just over a week away, and four players have a shot at reaching milestone achievements this season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Daulton Varsho, Bo Bichette, and José Berríos are all set to have big seasons this year. Reaching milestones in baseball is worthy of noting since they demonstrate remarkable accomplishments, mold a player’s career, and function as standards for measuring achievements among the exceptional players in the game. Let’s take a look at the milestones that these four players could break this season.
Four Blue Jays Players Could Achieve Milestones This Season
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The 26-year-old slugger is entering the final year of his contract with the Blue Jays before he hits the free-agent market next winter. Vladdy is on pace to reach the milestone of 1,000 career hits. This would be a significant achievement for the Dominican star, who has earned four All-Star nods. He currently has 905 career hits and recorded 199 hits last season. So reaching 1,000 shouldn’t be an issue for him, assuming he stays healthy.
Vladimir Guerrero collects his 800th career hit.
He’s the 8th fastest player in Blue Jays history to reach the milestone (742 games)#TOTHECORE pic.twitter.com/Zo9FoERoeL
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 29, 2024
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Daulton Varsho
Varsho has put up a standout performance in spring training thanks to adjustments he has made at the plate that have amounted to more home runs. Last season he hit 18, but with his new approach he could surpass his career high of 27, which he reached in 2022 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The first career 30-homer season for the 28-year old Varsho is not outside the realm of possibility.
José Berríos
This season is already starting on a high note for the 2023 Gold Glove winner, who earned the Opening Day nod for the Blue Jays this season. Berríos has a chance to reach 1,500 career strikeouts this season. He currently owns 1,343 strikeouts and recorded 153 strikeouts last season. He has the tools to reach the 1,500 strikeout mark as he has proven reliable as a starting pitcher during his time in Toronto, particularly in the last two seasons. Berríos also struck out 184 batters in 2023.
Bo Bichette
If it weren’t for a down season last year that was impacted by injuries, Bo Bichette would have likely been on pace to earn 1,000 career hits. But he’s been lights out with a strong performance in camp this season. Toronto’s likely leadoff hitter currently owns 723 hits in his career. While he would have to eclipse Ichiro Suzuki’s single-season record of 262 hits in 2004 in order to reach 1,000, a more plausible milestone for Bichette would be 900 hits. He picked up 191 hits in 2021 and 189 in 2022, leading the AL in hits in back-to-back seasons, so with another strong season, he could reach 900.
Photo Credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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