Zack Greinke Becomes Fifth MLB Pitcher to Strike Out 1,000 Different Players

Zack Greinke is competing in his 20th Major League Baseball season, which means he has the opportunity to reach some rare career milestones. On Saturday, the Royals right-hander became part of an exclusive club that even some of the best pitchers ever couldn’t join.

By striking out Brewers rookie outfielder Joey Weimer, Greinke became the fifth pitcher ever to strikeout 1,000 different players, joining Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens. After his most recent start, Greinke now has 2,914 total strikeouts, which ranks No. 20 in baseball history.

The big milestones on tap in ‘23—and whether they’ll happen

Miguel Cabrera: 15th all-time in hits

Last year, Cabrera became the 33rd member of the 3,000-hit club, and now, there’s still more climbing to do. He enters the year with 3,088 hits, which ranks 24th all-time. Here are the next nine ahead of him, according to the Elias Sports Bureau:

Cal Ripken Jr.: 3,184
Adrian Beltre: 3,166
George Brett: 3,154
Paul Waner: 3,152
Robin Yount: 3,142
Tony Gwynn: 3,141
Alex Rodriguez: 3,115
Dave Winfield: 3,110
Ichiro Suzuki: 3,089
Will it happen?

Cabrera should certainly move up this list over the course of the season, especially considering he’s just a hit shy of Ichiro. He had 101 hits last year, which would put him just ahead of Ripken, so 15th seems like a realistic target.

Stat of the Week: Zack Greinke’s Defense

Greinke generally plays the position mistake-free. He hasn’t been charged with an error since getting in Charlie Blackmon’s way and getting called for interference as Blackmon was rounding first base and trying to go to second base in a game in July 2019.

Our Video Scouts have credited him with only one Defensive Misplay the last three seasons, picking up and then rushing a throw on a Shohei Ohtani roller that appeared to be heading foul in April 2021.

By our accounting, the last instance we have of Greinke not cleanly fielding a ball that cost his team a potential out was in August 2019 on a play where bat and ball came at him at the same time, thus preventing a possible double play (they still got one out).

There are no active pitchers even close to Greinke’s accrued Runs Saved. As you can see in the chart, Dallas Keuchel is 33 runs behind, but given that he had a 9.20 ERA last season, there’s no guarantee he’ll pitch again in the majors. The next-closest active pitchers are Clayton Kershaw (34), Johnny Cueto (33), and Justin Verlander (31).

Reports: Royals, RHP Zack Greinke agree on deal for 2023

The Royals and Zack Greinke have agreed to a contract for the coming season, according to multiple reports, making it nine seasons over two stints in Kansas City for the six-time All-Star pitcher.

The financial terms of the deal, which was first reported by Kansas City sports radio host Bob Fescoe, were not immediately available. Greinke was paid $13 million last season by the Royals, where he spent his first seven seasons before returning last year and going 3-9 with a 3.68 ERA and striking out 73 over 137 innings for the rebuilding club.

Greinke did spend two stints on the injured list but allowed two runs or fewer in 17 of his 26 starts last season.

Zack Greinke has a one-year deal with the Royals, per source. It’s expected to be between $8-10 million plus performance bonuses. @bobfescoe was on it.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 30, 2023