Early Season Standouts and Historical Pace: MLB’s 2025 Season Nears Quarter Mark

Major League Baseball’s 2025 season is rapidly approaching its quarter point, with teams poised to complete nearly 40 games by week’s end. While the sample size remains small, the initial six weeks have showcased extraordinary statistical feats, placing several players on a trajectory to break records and others to achieve numbers unseen in decades. One team, however, is on pace for a different kind of history, a plunge into depths of futility rarely witnessed.

The early season headlines are dominated by the sensational performance of New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. Judge is enjoying the best start to his illustrious career, boasting a remarkable .414 batting average as of May 6th. His blistering pace has ignited discussions about his potential to challenge several single-season records, most notably Babe Ruth’s total bases mark. Judge’s combination of power and on-base ability is reminiscent of baseball’s legends, and his quest to surpass historical milestones will be a central narrative throughout the season.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Colorado Rockies are teetering on the brink of infamy. Their dismal performance has them on pace to potentially record the worst record in baseball history. The Rockies’ struggles at the plate and on the mound have resulted in a series of lopsided defeats, casting a shadow over the franchise and raising questions about the team’s long-term direction. If the Rockies cannot find a way to improve their play, they may eclipse last year’s Chicago White Sox as the worst team ever.

Here’s a closer look at some of the notable paces being set through the first quarter of the 2025 MLB season:

Colorado Rockies: A Historic Struggle (6-28 Record, On Pace for 29-133)

It took more than six decades for the historically bad 1962 Mets to be surpassed by the 2024 White Sox as arguably the worst team of all time. But the Rockies’ performance has been historically poor, which could make them contenders for the title of "The Worst Team Ever". The Rockies will need to have a quick turnaround, as baseball is a sport where luck and skill are always changing.

Aaron Judge: Chasing Total Bases Glory (101 Total Bases in 35 Games, On Pace for 467)

Judge’s pursuit of Ruth’s total bases record is a tantalizing prospect for baseball fans. He’s currently on pace for a career-high in doubles, and a fourth 50-home run season, a feat only accomplished by Ruth, McGwire, and Sosa. Last season, Shohei Ohtani reached 414 total bases, the first time someone went over 400 since 2001. Ruth reached 457 in 1921, and the top five single season totals all came in 1932 or earlier. Judge has the tools and the talent to potentially surpass Ruth.

Suarez: A Save Machine (14 Saves in 16 Appearances, On Pace for 66 Saves)

The Padres’ closer has been dominant in the early going, allowing just one earned run in 16 innings, resulting in a minuscule 0.56 ERA. His stellar performance has solidified his position as one of the league’s premier closers. Although the Padres probably won’t continue winning at a .676 clip, there will be less opportunities for Suarez to pitch. His performance, though, is worth following as the season unfolds.

Toglia: On Pace for Strikeout Infamy (48 Strikeouts in 33 Games, On Pace for 229)

The Rockies’ first baseman is on a path that nobody wants to tread: a strikeout record. He is truly struggling at the plate, reflected in his .568 OPS. Even though the Rockies are on pace for the worst season in baseball history, it’s hard to imagine that Toglia would stay in the lineup long enough to actually reach this infamy.

Aaron Judge: A Batting Title within Reach (55 Hits in 35 Games, On Pace for 255)

Ichiro Suzuki set the single season hits record in 2004, and the Hall of Famer’s style was much more conducive to reaching the mark compared to that of Judge. The Yankees star could have the first 200-hit season of his career, and a batting title would add another trophy to his collection.

Ohtani: Chasing Runs Scored Milestones (37 Runs in 33 Games, On Pace for 171)

Billy Hamilton’s 198 runs in 1894 is a record that is likely unbreakable, but Ohtani could become the second player since 1950 to score 150 times, joining Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell. Ronald Acuña Jr. got to 149 during his 2023 MVP season, and the only other players to reach 145 since 1950 were Rickey Henderson (146 in 1985), Craig Biggio (146 in 1997), and Sammy Sosa (146 in 2001).

Francis: A Home Run Problem (11 Home Runs Allowed in 7 Starts, On Pace for 52)

The Blue Jays’ starter had a rough start to the season, getting shelled for five homers in three innings against the Red Sox on April 29. This pace is even more impressive as Blyleven set that record in 1986 across 271 and 2/3 innings, while the Toronto right-hander is on pace for 167 this year.