2029 CBA MILESTONE WATCH

by C.C. McCandless

With the 2029 season underway, let’s take a look at some active CBA players and teams closing in on notable milestone numbers.

ANDY BACA sits at 245 career homers, just five away from joining BRADY SAYERS (258) in the 250 club. KEVIN RAYOS (199) and JEREMY COSTANZO (198) should both reach 200 soon, joining BILL RYAN (228) and CHRIS “CRACKER” GREENWELL (224). Ryan also recently became the first active player with 700 RBIs (703), while Greenwell is the active leader in runs (638) and intentional walks (60).

BRAD LIMBACH is the CBA’s leader in games started by a wide margin with 225. ADRIAN “DEADSHOT” OWENS is the only other active pitcher with 200 (203). They could soon be joined by CRAIG MEISTER (197), JUSTIN MARCHI (191), and JUAN VARGAS (190).

TONY CARREON is on pace to become the first active reliever with 200 careers saves (192). No other pitcher has reached 150, although SHAWN MARTIN (147) is close.

Let’s give a special shoutout to ANTONIO AVILA, the all-time leader with 159 hit by pitches hurled. No other active pitcher has even 90. Despite bringing his 97 MPH heat high and tight, Avila has been suspended for a beanball just once in his career.

Who is the current CBA leader in all-time WAR? It’s JOSE “BUZZY” RODRIGUEZ (35.6), currently on the DL in his first year in Wichita after having spent his entire prior career as “Mr. Sacramento.” If he can recover soon, he should become the first player with 400 steals (383).

Since the CBA’s inaugural season, MATT LAFERTY has missed just one game. If he remains healthy, sometime in the second half he will reach the magical mark of 1,000 games played (921). ANDY “POPS” POPOUR (919), CAROS “DIABLO” RODRIGUEZ (916), JAMIE “THE MACHINE” MALCHOW (913), JON “MOONDOG” WAGNER (913), JOSE SANCHEZ (909), Cracker Greenwell (905), MIGUEL “MILK STEAK” GALLEGOS (904), and JOSH “SHOULDERS” VERBURG (901) all eye that mark as well.

With Oklahoma’s promotion to the Premiere League this season, MATT “KICKS” DANIELS will see his Silver League career records put on hold. He’s #1 all-time in the SL in both wins and losses (55-55), as well as starts (149) and strikeouts (736).

If he makes it back to the majors, Boston’s FRANCISCO ARELLANO could become the first player with 100 Bronze League homers (91). JEREMY VOLPE has spent his entire career in Iowa*, racking up a pile of career BL records: games (727), at bats (2610), runs (346) hits (740), total bases (1,101), doubles (157), RBIs (388) and WAR (20.1).

The DALLAS DEVILS (583) and DETROIT MOTORS (566) franchises have each amassed 500 wins in the Premiere League. The FLORIDA GIANTS (492), ARIZONA THUNDERBIRDS (480), and CINCINNATI ROYALS (433) could get there in 2029. The Silver League has long been considered the CBA’s most competitive year in and year out. The ATLANTA SWARM have fought their battles there since 2023, garnering 403 SL wins. MEXICO CITY will cross 400 soon (395).

In the hardware department, Dallas Devil ALVARO MEJIA# seeks his fifth straight Dick’s Dominant Defender award, and the Royals’ DAVID PEREZ goes for his fourth. Gale RF SHINRIKIYARU YOSHIMOTO looks for his third straight in the SL. In the BL, Philly’s HECTOR “IMPALA” DIAZ has taken home four awards for his prowess in CF, including the past three years straight. DANNY CREWS and his legendary PL bat have earned him a Coke Blak Surge Award for the last four years straight in Dallas, while Detroit SS EDWIN NADAL also has four.

* It was first erroneously reported that Volpe has spent his entire career in Wichita.

#Mejia’s team was erroneously listed as Cincinnati, not Dallas.