Freddie Freeman, entering his age-36 season in 2026, stands as the active leader in hits with 2,431 and is on a straightforward path to the coveted 3,000-hit club. His recent performance metrics suggest he remains a productive hitter despite injury setbacks. Achieving this milestone would solidify his Hall of Fame case even further.
Freddie Freeman has built a strong Hall of Fame resume through 15 years of consistent regular-season excellence and notable postseason contributions. As he prepares for 2026, the Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman is nearing several career milestones, including 400 home runs—he currently has 367—and 1,500 RBIs with 1,322 already recorded.
The 3,000-hit mark, reached by only 33 players with Miguel Cabrera as the most recent in 2022, appears attainable for Freeman. He averaged 181 hits over the past five seasons, peaking at 211 in 2023, though injuries limited him to 147 games and 158 hits per season in 2024 and 2025—his fewest full-season games since 2017.
Freeman's 2025 underlying statistics remain impressive: a 45.7% hard-hit rate exceeding the league average of 37% and his career 44.2%, a .370 wOBA in the 94th percentile, and a .349 xwOBA in the 82nd percentile. To reach 3,000 hits, he needs an average of 150 hits per season over the next four years, ending at age 39 with 3,031 total. A more conservative pace of 143 hits annually would get him to 3,003.
Under contract with the Dodgers through 2027, Freeman could extend his career into 2028 and 2029 if productive. Reaching 3,000 hits would make him the sixth primary first baseman to do so, the fourth with 400-plus homers, and—if maintaining his .300 career average—the only first baseman and fifth overall player alongside Cabrera, Stan Musial, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron.
Among active players, Jose Altuve follows closest at 2,388 hits entering his age-36 season, then Andrew McCutchen (2,266), Paul Goldschmidt (2,190), and Manny Machado (2,069). Even without 3,000 hits, Freeman's career merits strong Hall consideration, but the pursuit adds intrigue to his later years.
