Who Might Break Offensive MLB Franchise Records Next?

Issue #173

With 30 teams, any number of MLB franchise records can be set in any given year. As I wrote about in October, some prominent new offensive records set in 2023 included:

• Braves - HR, 54, Matt Olson

• Dodgers - Doubles, 59, Freddie Freeman

• Marlins - BA, .354, Luis Arraez

• Rays - BA, .330, Yandy Diaz

• Angels - SLG, .654, Shohei Ohtani

• Padres - BB, 132, Juan Soto (tied Jack Clark's 132 in 1989)

Not all offensive records are positive of course, as modern trends are seeing ever more strikeouts by hitters, including these four new franchise records set in 2023:

• Phillies - Kyle Schwarber, 215

• Mariners - Eugenio Suárez, 214

• Rockies - Ryan McMahon, 198

• Dodgers - James Outman, 181

In what follows I have looked at all 30 teams and their offensive records for the most common offensive statistics. The categories where it is easiest to set new records these days are clearly SO and HR. Others such as Runs, Doubles, RBI, SB, and BB are also within reach in many cases.

Hits is a bit tougher, as fewer and fewer players are getting 200+ in a season these days. For the oldest teams, their triples high marks are surely safe, though some expansion-era clubs have lower triples records. And finally, some categories I'll mention here and there are things like at-bats, plate appearances, hit-by-pitches, caught stealing, and times grounded into double plays.

The Oldest 16 Franchises

I'll start with the 16 oldest MLB franchises—those that either started in 1901 with the birth of the American League, or those with sometimes two decades or more of history from the 19th century. Breaking franchise records for these clubs is no easy task—so I'll cover the 14 expansion-era franchises afterwards.

Braves

The Braves were an offensive juggernaut last year, with franchise records set including:

• HR - 54, Matt Olson. That topped the 51 by Andruw Jones in 2005

• PA - 735, Ronald Acuña Jr. That topped the 734 by Rafael Furcal in 2003

In addition, modern-era (since 1901) franchise records set in 2023 included:

• Runs - 149, Acuña. That is tied for fifth all-time, with the record being 160 by Hugh Duffy in 1894.

• RBI - 139, Olson. That is second only to Hugh Duffy's 145 in 1894.

• SB - 73, Acuña. That is third behind only King Kelly's 84 in 1887 and Billy Hamilton's 83 in 1896.

Any of those could be topped again in 2024, and one other could as well:

• SO - 188, Acuña, 2019. Austin Riley has had 168, 168, and 172 the past three seasons.

Phillies

As noted earlier, Kyle Schwarber set a new franchise record with 215 SO in 2023 (surpassing his own record of 200 in 2022). Also of note was Trea Turner who had a 100% SB success rate, which tied the 100% for Chase Utley (2009) and Roman Quinn (2020). Turner ranks first here though, as he 30 SB vs. only 23 for Utley and 12 for Quinn.

Some possibilities for 2024 include:

• HR - 58, Ryan Howard, 2006. That is a high number, but Kyle Schwarber had 47 in 2023 (and 46 in 2022). If he keeps hitting in the top three spots in this strong batting lineup, he'll get plenty of chances. The only other two seasons higher than Schwarber's 47 have been Howard's 48 in 2006 and Mike Schmidt's 48 in 1980.

• BB - 129, Lenny Dykstra, 1993. Kyle Schwarber came close last year with 126 walks, which is 5th all-time for the Phillies, trailing Dykstra and also Billy Hamilton's 128 in 1894, Mike Schmidt's 128 in 1983, and Bobby Abreu's 127 in 2004.

Cubs

It seems very unlikely that any Cubs player in 2024 will break the franchise's very lofty records for BA, runs, hits, total bases, doubles, HR, RBI, BB, or SB. Given modern trends, the one possibility would be SO, where the record is 199 by Kris Bryant in 2015. Patrick Wisdom approached that with 183 in 2022, so perhaps he or someone else could reach 200 whiffs in 2024.

Reds

The Reds are a young team these days, so none of their hitters have come close to setting team records yet. But a few would seem to be in reach at some point, such as:

• Doubles - 51, Frank Robinson in 1962 and Pete Rose in 1978. Spencer Steer had 37 last year, and Matt McLain had 23 in only 89 games.

• HR - 52, George Foster, 1977. The Reds play in a hitters' park, though no one had more than 23 HR last year.

• SO - 205, Drew Stubbs, 2011. That is a big number, but as noted the Reds are a young team so some players might have growing pains in 2024 or 2025.

Pirates

Like the Reds, the Pirates are mostly a young team. But a few team records would seem to be in reach at some point, such as:

• Total Bases - 369, Kiki Cuyler, 1925

• HR - 54, Ralph Kiner, 1949

• RBI - 131, Paul Waner, 1927

• SO - 186, Pedro Alvarez, 2013. This one seems particularly likely to fall one day, given the increase in strikeouts in recent years. Jack Suwinski had 172 in 144 games in 2023, third most in franchise history.

Cardinals

As with the Cubs, it seems very unlikely that any Cardinals player in 2024 will break the franchise's very lofty records in stats like BA, runs, hits, total bases, doubles, HR, RBI, BB, or SB. Again the one exception is strikeouts, where the Cardinals record is a rather modest 168 by Tyler O'Neill in 2021. Paul Goldschmidt had 161 last year, and had a career high of 173 in 2018, his last year with the Diamondbacks. Two other possibilities if they get more playing time in 2024 are Nolan Gorman who had 148 K in 119 games last year, and Jordan Walker who had 104 K in 117 games.

Dodgers

As noted earlier, Freddie Freeman smashed the franchise record for doubles with 59, far surpassing Johnny Frederick's 52, in 1929.

In 2024 the Dodgers lineup looks pretty scary. If guys stay healthy and they bat around enough times, then I suppose Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman could accumulate a lot of at-bats (Maury Wills, 695, 1962) and plate appearances (Wills again with 759 in 1962). Of more interest would be Mookie Betts perhaps approaching the franchise's record for runs, which is 148 by Hub Collins in 1890, or the modern-era record of 143 by Babe Herman in 1930. In his career, Betts’ top run totals have been 135 (2019), 129 (2018), and 126 (2023).

And what about HR? Interestingly, no one in franchise history has ever hit 50 or more (Shawn Green had 49 in 2001), so what about Shohei Ohtani, especially since he will be only a DH this year.

A bit more of a stretch perhaps would be RBI, where the franchise record is 153 by Tommy Davis in 1962. But again, the Dodgers lineup is loaded... so maybe Ohtani or Freeman could do it?

And again, a new Dodgers record for strikeouts could certainly be set in 2024, since one was set in 2023 by rookie James Outman with 181, surpassing Chris Taylor's 178 in 2018. In addition to Outman and Taylor, there is Max Muncy, Ohtani (had 189 in 2021 for the Angels), and Teoscar Hernandez (had 211 last year for the Mariners).

Giants

Few Giants franchise records seem likely to be threatened in 2024, as some are quite lofty (like Barry Bonds' 73 HR, 411 total bases, and insane 232 walks, as well as Bill Terry's 254 hits and .401 average). Maybe someone could hit a lot of doubles, and approach Jeff Kent's franchise record of 49 in 2001 (e.g., Jung Hoo Lee hit a career high 49 doubles in the Korean league at age 21 in 2020). Or again strikeouts seems possible, as the record is a relatively modest 189 set by Bobby Bonds in 1970.

Orioles

The Orioles are a young and exciting team, but their combined history dating back to 1901 as the St. Louis Browns means their franchise records are generally pretty high: 257 hits and 399 total bases by George Sisler, 56 doubles by Brian Roberts, 145 runs by Harlond Clift, 155 RBI by Ken Williams, and even 219 strikeouts by Chris Davis. The two most approachable records it would seem are:

• HR - 53, Chris Davis, 2013

• SB - 57, Luis Aparicio, 1964

Yankees

Aaron Judge of course set a new franchise record with 62 HR in 2022, topping Roger Maris' 61 in 1961. I suppose he could hit even more in 2024, though I wouldn't bet on it. Juan Soto walks a lot, but I doubt he can top Babe Ruth's 170 in 1923—not unless all the other Yankees hitters go down with injuries and he has no one protecting him in the lineup. I could see someone, someday breaking Don Mattingly's franchise record for doubles, which is 53 (1986). And of course if Giancarlo Stanton stays healthy he could take a run at his own franchise record of 211 strikeouts from 2018.

Red Sox

The Red Sox franchise records are also pretty high marks, but three seem theoretically within reach:

• HR - 54, David Ortiz, 2006

• SB - 70, Jacoby Ellsbury, 2009

• SO - 187, Mike Napoli, 2013

Twins

Most combined Senators/Twins records seem untouchable for now, except perhaps these:

• HR - 49, Harmon Killebrew, 1964 and 1969

• D - 51, Mickey Vernon, 1946 (interestingly, Stan Spence also had 50 that year)

• SO - 183, Miguel Sanó, 2021

Sidenote: Carlos Correa set a new franchise record with 30 Double Plays Grounded Into last year, topping the 28 that Harmon Killebrew had in 1070 and that Trevor Plouffe matched in 2015.

Tigers

Franchise records held by the likes of Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, and others won't be surpassed anytime soon. Except maybe strikeouts of course, where Cecil Fielder's modest 182 whiffs in 1990 could easily fall to any number of guys on a young Tigers team (e.g., Spencer Torkelson had 171 last year).

Guardians

Franchise records for the Indians/Guardians are generally high and held by guys like Joe Jackson, Earl Averill, Jim Thome, Hal Trosky, Manny Ramirez, and Kenny Lofton. The Indians offense in 2024 isn't likely to be very explosive, so the one most at risk is again likely strikeouts, held by Mike Napoli with 194 in 2016. Maybe one day Jim Thome's 52 HR or Kenny Lofton's 75 SB could by surpassed?

White Sox

Franchise records here are held by guys like Luke Appling, Eddie Collins, Albert Belle, and Frank Thomas. The White Sox are struggling, so I doubt any will get surpassed in 2024. But a few that are generally in reach some day include:

• Runs - 135, Johnny Mostil, 1925

• Doubles - 48, Albert Belle, 1998

• HR - 49, Albert Belle, 1998

• SB - 77, Rudy Law, 1983

Guys are striking out a lot these days, but Adam Dunn set a very high mark with 222 in 2012.

A's

Oh the A's... what a sad situation they are in right now. It seems likely the franchise will be moving once again, after having started in Philly, then moved to Kansas City, and then Oakland. Their all-time records, set by names like Nap Lajoie, Al Simmons, Jimmie Foxx, Rickey Henderson, and Eddie Joost (149 walks in 1949) are mostly not at risk anytime soon. Of course the one exception here is strikeouts, where Matt Chapman's 202 could be easily eclipsed if someone plays in enough games for the A's in 2024. Brent Rooker had 172 K in 137 games last year, and Ryan Noda had 170 K in 128 games.

Expansion-era Franchises

For the remaining 14 expansion-era franchises, given their much shorter history, it is generally easier to approach or set new records in most statistical categories. There are exceptions of course, e.g., where some player has set a very high bar in some particular area. For the teams below, I will cover them in chronological order, from oldest to newest (with their founding year in parentheses, as this gives important context for the relative difficulty in setting new records).

Angels (1961)

Given current trends, and as with some other teams, the easiest record to break would seem to be strikeouts:

• SO - 189, Shohei Ohtani, 2021

The following are also not unreasonable, though I wouldn't expect any to fall in 2024:

• BA - .355, Darin Erstad, 2000

• Runs - 129, Mike Trout, 2012

• Doubles - 56, Garret Anderson, 2002

• HR - 47, Troy Glaus, 2000 (Note: Shohei Ohtani had a high of 46 in 2021)

• SB - 70, Mickey Rivers, 1975

Rangers (1961 as Washington Senators)

Here are some franchise records that would seem breakable at some point:

• BA - .359, Josh Hamilton, 2010

• Runs - 133, Alex Rodriguez, 2001

• Doubles - 52, Michael Young, 2006

• HR - 57, Alex Rodriguez, 2002

• SB - 52, Bump Wills, 1978

If Corey Seager stays healthy, could go for the batting average franchise record? He hit .327 last year and has a career .293 average. Or with their strong overall offense, could Semien or Seager at the top of the order score over 133 runs? Or any number of Rangers might be able to hit 53 doubles. Lastly, 52 is not a particularly high SB record either, though I'm not sure any active Rangers are likely to top it in 2024.

Astros (1962 as Colt .45s)

Bagwell hit .368 in the strike-shortened 1994 season. He also scored 152 runs in 2000, and was walked 149 times in 1999. As for strikeouts, Chris Carter set the Astros record with 212 in 2013. But here are some franchise records that would seem more breakable at some point:

• Doubles - 56, Craig Biggio, 1999

• HR - 47, Jeff Bagwell, 2000

• RBI - 136, Lance Berkman, 2006

• SB - 65, Gerald Young, 1988

I could particularly see the HR record falling to Yordan Alvarez if he can stay healthy for a full year.

Mets (1962)

Jeff McNeil is about to turn 32, and is two years removed from his career high .326 average—so him topping John Olerud's Mets record of .354 seems unlikely. And even with an uptick in SB last year, I think José Reyes' franchise record of 78 seems pretty safe. But here are some franchise records that should be more breakable at some point:

• Runs - 127, Carlos Beltrán, 2006

• Doubles - 44, Bernard Gilkey, 1996

• HR - 53, Pete Alonso, 2019

• RBI - 131, Pete Alonso, 2022

If Alonso erupts he could chase his own HR or RBI records, though the latter would require others in the Mets lineup to get on base consistently. The most likely new record here is surely doubles, where 44 is not that high of a hurdle. Lindor once had 44, in 2017, but has only managed 25 and 33 the past two seasons.

Royals (1969)

George Brett's franchise-record .390 average in 1980? Seems pretty safe. Ditto for Mike Sweeney's 144 RBI in 2000 and Willie Wilson's 83 SB in 1979 (though Bobby Witt Jr. is fast). Here are some franchise records that would seem more breakable at some point:

• Runs - 136, Johnny Damon, 2000

• Doubles - 54, Hal McRae, 1977

• HR - 48, Salvador Perez in 2021 and Jorge Soler in 2019

• SO - 178, Jorge Soler, 2019

I could totally see Witt scoring 137+ runs some day, though perhaps not as soon as 2024. But given recent trends the most likely record here to fall is surely the relatively low 178 strikeouts, especially with the many young players on the Royals' roster.

Padres (1969)

Tony Gwynn has the top seven batting averages for the Padres, headlined by his .394 mark in the strike-shortened 1994 campaign. Here are some franchise records that would seem more breakable at some point:

• Runs - 126, Steve Finley, 1996

• Doubles - 49, Tony Gwynn, 1997

• HR - 50, Greg Vaughn, 1998

• RBI - 130, Ken Caminiti, 1996

• SO - 180, Wil Myers, 2017

• SB - 70, Alan Wiggins, 1984

Again,180 SO is not a high bar by modern standards, so I'd bet on that franchise record falling first.

Brewers (1969 as Seattle Pilots)

Chris Carter appeared earlier for the Astros, and does here as well with 206 SO in 2016. That is a big number, but could get surpassed I suppose and so could the following at some point—though given the Brewers current roster I don't suspect any will be in 2024:

• BA - .353, Paul Molitor, 1987

• Runs - 136, Paul Molitor, 1982

• Doubles - 53, Jonathan Lucroy in 2014 and Lyle Overbay in 2004

• HR - 50, Prince Fielder, 2007

• RBI - 141, Prince Fielder, 2009

• SB - 73, Tommy Harper, 1969

Nationals (1969 as Montreal Expos)

Juan Soto hit .351 during the shortened 2020 and Daniel Murphy hit .347 in 2016. I don't think either of those marks will be topped in 2024. And surely Ron LeFlore's franchise record of 97 SB is safe for now. Here are some that would seem more breakable at some point:

• Runs - 133, Tim Raines, 1983

• Hits - 206, Vladimir Guerrero, 2002

• Doubles - 54, Mark Grudzielanek, 1997

• HR - 46, Alfonso Soriano, 2006

• RBI - 131, Vladimir Guerrero, 1999

• SO - 199, Adam Dunn, 2010

The Nationals are rebuilding, so I doubt any of the above records will fall in 2024—except again, perhaps the SO record since 199 is high, but not super high. I'll note that I've rarely listed Hits records for any team in this article, but Guerrero's total of 206 could be topped one day.

Mariners (1977)

Ichiro Suzuki's .372 batting average in 2004 seems fairly safe for now—and his 262 hits total that year is rock solid as it is the overall MLB record. Eugenio Suárez had a high of 214 SO last year, but the following are more reasonable team records to consider:

• Runs - 141, Alex Rodriguez, 1996

• Doubles - 52, Alex Rodriguez, 1996

• Triples - 12, Ichiro Suzuki, 2005

• HR - 56, Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997 and 1998

• RBI - 147, Ken Griffey Jr., 1997

• SB - 60, Harold Reynolds, 1987

Some of these numbers like the HR, Runs, and RBI totals are pretty strong. But the 12 Triples and 60 SB could more easily be surpassed sometime soon.

Blue Jays (1977)

John Olerud has the Mets franchise record for batting average, and also has the Blue Jays record with a .363 mark in 1993. That seems safe for now, as even Bo Bichette's full-season high average was .306 last year. Here are some team records that could fall in 2024 or otherwise soon:

• Runs - 134, Shawn Green, 1999

• Doubles - 57, Carlos Delgado, 2000

• HR - 54, Jose Bautista, 2010

• RBI - 145, Carlos Delgado, 2003

• SO - 170, Jose Bautista in 2017 and Matt Chapman in 2022

• SB - 60, Dave Collins, 1984

Some of those are pretty big numbers—so surely the relatively modest 170 SO mark is the most likely to be surpassed.

Rockies (1993)

If Coors Field were to return to the massively high-offense stadium that it once was, then various Rockies records could fall: .370 average by Larry Walker in 1999, 143 Runs by Walker in 1997, 219 hits by Dante Bichette in 1998, 59 Doubles by Todd Helton in 2000, and 150 RBI by Andrés Galarraga in 1996. There are three team records that I think are more reachable, including one that surprised me:

• HR - 49, Todd Helton in 2001 and Larry Walker in 1997

• SO - 198, Ryan McMahon, 2023

• SB - 68, Willy Taveras, 2008

No Rockies slugger has ever hit 50+ HR? Huh. I guess if asked I would have said someone had, but then I wouldn't have been able to name who.

Marlins (1993)

Luis Arráez’ first three games in 2024 have not been good, but he could still top his .354 batting average record from last year. His 203 hits last year, however, were a far cry from Juan Pierre's 221 in 2004. The franchise record for HR is a lofty 59 by Giancarlo Stanton in 2017, so that seems pretty safe for now. Here are some records that would seem more breakable at some point:

• Runs - 125, Hanley Ramirez in both 2007 and 2008

• Doubles - 50, Miguel Cabrera, 2006

• RBI - 132, Giancarlo Stanton, 2017

• SO - 187, Preston Wilson, 2000

• SB - 65, Juan Pierre, 2003

If Jazz Chisholm could stay healthy all year, I suppose he could go for the SB record. But he might also top the SO record—though there he might have competition from Josh Bell, Jake Burger, or others.

Diamondbacks (1998)

Mark Reynolds set the all-time MLB record for strikeouts with 223 in 2009. But beyond that, the relatively short history of the Diamondbacks means many of their records could be fairly easily surpassed in coming years:

• BA - .336, Luis Gonzalez, 1999

• Runs - 132, Jaybe Bell, 1999

• Hits - 206, Luis Gonzalez, 1999

• Doubles - 52, Luis Gonzalez, 2006

• HR - 57, Luis Gonzalez, 2001

• RBI - 142, Luis Gonzalez in 2001 and Matt Williams in 1999

• BB - 118, Paul Goldschmidt, 2015

• SB - 72, Tony Womack, 1999

Note how many team records Luis Gonzalez has, and that they are spread across three different seasons (1999, 2001, 2006). His .336 average in 1999 is at risk (Ketel Marte?), and Womack's 72 SB clearly is as well given Corbin Carroll's speed (his 54 SB as a rookie last year is the second highest in team history).

Rays (1998 as Devil Rays)

With only one exception—Carl Crawford's franchise record 19 triples in 2004—the Rays team records below are all lower than the Diamondbacks:

• BA - .330, Yandy Diaz, 2023

• Runs - 110, Carl Crawford, 2010

• Hits - 198, Aubrey Huff, 2003

• Doubles - 47, Aubrey Huff, 2003

• HR - 46, Carlos Peña, 2007

• RBI - 121, Carlos Peña, 2007

• BB - 103, Carlos Peña, 2007

• SO - 182, Carlos Peña, 2012

• SB - 60, Carl Crawford, 2009

Diaz just set the batting average record with a .330 mark last year, so it is easy to imagine him topping that in 2024 or beyond. Several of the other records above also seem quite breakable, such as 110 runs, 198 hits, or 103 walks.

All data is from Baseball-Reference.com, and also their subscription service Stathead.com. If you are a big sports fan, be sure to check out the latest features at Stathead and the Sports Reference family of sites.

Did you know? I wrote a book with the same title as this Substack newsletter / blog: Now Taking the Field: Baseball’s All-Time Dream Teams for All 30 Franchises. It was published in early 2019, by ACTA Sports, the publisher of the annual Bill James Handbook and other popular titles. You can learn more about it at www.NowTakingTheField.com, or buy directly at Amazon and other booksellers.