Marcell Ozuna still has a ways to go in terms of production before it can be said he’s fully earning his $12 million paycheck this season.

But the 35-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter has shown signs of finding his stride offensively.

Friday’s series opener in San Francisco contained a special moment for Ozuna, who became the 167th player in MLB history to reach the 300-home run plateau.

Ozuna, who had two of the Pirates’ five hits in a 5-2 defeat, homered off Robbie Ray in the second inning, connecting on a 1-2 slider over the left-field wall.

“It feels amazing,” Ozuna said on the SportsNet Pittsburgh postgame show. “I don’t know what number I am to be a part of the 300-homer (club) at this level. But thanks to God and my family for being out there every time. The amazing career I’ve had — thanks to God. Let’s keep doing it, let’s go to 400, got to get (to) Willie.”

Ozuna was referring to Pirates legend Willie Stargell, a two-time World Series champion and Hall of Famer. Stargell is the club’s all-time leader in home runs (475).

Stargell is also the last Pirate to hit more than 40 homers in a single season (1973), with Brian Giles coming close in 1999 (39) and 2002 (38), as well as Josh Bell in 2019 (37).

Ozuna’s quest to catch or exceed Stargell may be a bridge too far, but reaching 300 for his career, which is in its 15th season, consists of 1,646 games and dates to 2013, is worthy of celebration.

He became the fifth player to reach the milestone in a Pirates uniform, joining Andrew McCutchen (2024), Jeromy Burnitz (2006), Stargell (1973) and Ralph Kiner (1953).

Last season, one that was injury-impacted, Ozuna clubbed 21 homers for the Atlanta Braves. In 2024, he hit 39.

Ozuna, who joined the Pirates on a one-year deal, entered the season at 296 career homers.

“Last year, I was four shy to get to 300,” Ozuna said. “I couldn’t do it, but this year, I knew I’m going to do it.”

Ozuna’s high-water mark in home runs came in 2023, also with the Braves, when he had 40 with 100 RBIs.

Whether Ozuna can produce at a similar clip for the remainder of this season remains to be seen, but his splits of late are a big step forward.

After slashing .181/.236/.277 through the end of April and the season’s first 26 games, so far in May, Ozuna is batting .364 (8 for 22) with two homers, six RBIs and a .462 on-base percentage.

Heading into Saturday’s game at San Francisco, Ozuna’s batting average sits at .198 to go along with three doubles, four home runs and 14 RBIs in 32 games.

As Ozuna chases 400 home runs and works to continue improving all-around, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native took a moment to soak in one final note on his achievement.

Of his countrymen who have played in MLB, he’s only the 15th to reach 300 career home runs.

“I feel blessed,” he said.