Harold Reynolds’ Bold Take on Clayton Kershaw’s 3,000 K Chase

Move over, history books—Clayton Kershaw is coming for another record. The Los Angeles Dodgers legend, already a World Series champion (twice over, thank you very much), is on the cusp of joining an exclusive club: 3,000 career strikeouts. But while baseball fans are buzzing over when Kershaw will reach this milestone, longtime MLB analyst and former player Harold Reynolds just dropped a take so bold it might need its own warning label.

According to Reynolds, Kershaw isn’t just about to hit 3,000 Ks—he might be the last pitcher to ever do it.

“This might be the last guy we see break that 3,000 (strikeout) mark,” Reynolds proclaimed on MLB TV Saturday.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s pump the brakes for a second. Is he serious? Because last time we checked, Kershaw isn’t the only strikeout machine left standing.

Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves? He’s at 2,414 Ks and still throwing heat at 35.

Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees? He’s younger at 33 and already at 2,251.

Heck, even Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are still padding their numbers in their 40s!

So, what makes Kershaw so special in Reynolds’ eyes? And more importantly, does he have a point?

Will Kershaw Even Have the Chance to Get 3,000 Ks?

First, let’s do the math. Kershaw currently sits at 2,968 strikeouts heading into the Dodgers’ March 18 Tokyo Series. That means he needs just 32 more Ks to reach the magic number. For a guy who once struck out 300 batters in a single season, that sounds like a cakewalk.

But here’s the catch—this isn’t vintage Kershaw.

Last season, injuries limited him to just seven starts. His 4.50 ERA was the worst of his career. And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: the Dodgers aren’t exactly leaning on him to carry their rotation anymore.

With new firepower like Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell in the mix—not to mention Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki—the Dodgers suddenly have an embarrassment of pitching riches. That raises the question: Where does Kershaw fit into all of this?

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already been careful with Kershaw’s workload. The 36-year-old lefty hasn’t started more than 25 games in a season since 2019. He’s on a limited pitch count. And let’s be real—Los Angeles isn’t about to run him into the ground when they have younger arms to rely on.

That said, the Dodgers also know that Snell, Glasnow, and Sasaki all come with their own durability concerns. If Roberts decides to play it safe with them, Kershaw could get 20 or more starts in 2025, which should be enough time for him to hit 3,000 strikeouts before season’s end.

So while Kershaw’s best days are behind him, it would take an absolute disaster (or Roberts wrapping him in bubble wrap) to stop him from hitting this milestone.

The Evolution of Pitching: Why 3,000 Ks is a Vanishing Feat

Now, here’s where things get spicy. Is Reynolds onto something, or is this just another classic case of baseball nostalgia kicking in?

Let’s look at the state of pitching today:

• Strikeouts are king. Thanks to analytics, spin rate obsession, and the “Three True Outcomes” approach, pitchers are racking up Ks at a historic rate.

• But innings are shrinking. Complete games are basically extinct. Starters are now expected to go five or six innings max before handing the ball to the bullpen. That means fewer opportunities for pitchers to accumulate massive strikeout totals over long careers.

• Injuries are a nightmare. With pitchers throwing harder than ever, elbow and shoulder injuries are almost inevitable. Tommy John surgery is practically a rite of passage at this point. Longevity? Good luck with that.

Beyond that, there’s another major factor: pitcher usage. Teams are prioritizing bullpen depth over relying on a single ace to carry them through an entire season. Even the best starters rarely throw more than 200 innings anymore, making it harder to rack up those career-defining strikeout numbers.

Who Else Could Reach 3,000 Strikeouts?

If Kershaw isn’t the last 3,000-K pitcher, then who’s next in line? Here are some candidates:

• Gerrit Cole (2,251 Ks, Age 33): The Yankees’ ace has the best shot, but injuries could derail his pursuit.

• Chris Sale (2,414 Ks, Age 35): He’s closer than Cole, but staying healthy has been a challenge.

• Max Scherzer & Justin Verlander: Both are in their 40s but still hanging around.

• Shohei Ohtani: A long shot due to his two-way play, but if he focuses solely on pitching post-2025, who knows?

The reality is, even the best young pitchers today—Spencer Strider, Corbin Burnes, Sandy Alcantara—are facing an uphill battle when it comes to longevity.

Kershaw’s Legacy: More Than Just Strikeouts

Whether or not Kershaw is truly the last of the 3,000 K club, one thing is certain: This moment is baseball nostalgia at its finest. Kershaw represents the bridge between old-school, workhorse aces and today’s ultra-specialized arms.

Fans love him because he’s a throwback—a rare breed of pitcher who’s dominated for nearly two decades with pure precision, filthy breaking balls, and a career spent with one team. His ability to adapt over the years, transitioning from a power pitcher to a finesse ace, has been nothing short of remarkable.

Even beyond the numbers, Kershaw’s impact on the Dodgers and the game itself is undeniable. He’s been the face of consistency, loyalty, and quiet dominance. In an era where players jump teams frequently, his commitment to the Dodgers is a rare sight.

Final Thoughts: Will We Ever See Another Clayton Kershaw?

So, will he get to 3,000 strikeouts? Almost certainly.

Will he be the last to do it? That’s up for debate.

But one thing is for sure—Harold Reynolds knows how to stir up a conversation, and we’re all here for it.

Maybe the next generation of pitchers will prove Reynolds wrong. Maybe baseball will find a way to balance analytics with longevity. Or maybe, just maybe, Kershaw’s milestone will mark the end of an era—the last great hurrah for the traditional ace.

Either way, Dodgers fans, cherish the moment. Because whether you’re on board with Reynolds’ take or not, we’re witnessing history in the making. And that’s something worth celebrating.