Miguel Cabrera made history in MLB last weekend after hitting his 500th home run and becoming the 28th batter who achieves the number.
That number has only been reached by 27 other hitters in the league, making the 500-homer club quite exclusive.
Cabrera is also at 2,955 hits, and could have a shot at 3,000 next season if he is healthy.
He is not there yet, but should eventually hit 3,000.
Only five players in the history of the game have had the combination of power, hitting skills, and durability to have 500 home runs and 3,000 hits: Hank Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro, and Eddie Murray.
Cabrera should be the next member of that club, but after him, who could be next?
41-year-old Nelson Cruz could potentially get there on the homers (he is at 443) if he plays through 2023 but will likely fall short on the hits (1,883).
Joey Votto (who has 323 homers) is a little younger, at 37, but would need to play until his 43 or 44 to have a shot at 3,000 hits, since he is currently at 2,005.
Joey Votto got his 2000th hit last night. TWO thousand. So considering that, think about how special it is to get to 3000 hits. Miguel Cabrera is at 2951. If/when he gets there, it’ll be a LONG time before we see it again.
Altuve/Castro/Hosmer/Freeman all possible but unlikely.
— Trent Rush (@TrentRushSports) August 17, 2021
Shohei Ohtani’s game is power, not particularly hits; while Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuña Jr. could be severe injury risks due to their playing style.
These three, though, are probably the best bets to have a chance at the feat.
3. Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman, one of the stars on the Atlanta Braves roster, is currently 31 years old.
He has been an elite hitter in the National League for years, even winning the NL MVP award last season.
Right now, he has 1,662 hits and 267 home runs.
Freeman has been very durable for most of his career, and has one of the sweetest left-handed swings in baseball.
He is equally adept at hitting for power and average.
He would need to play until his late 30s at a high level, but he has a chance to hit 500 dingers and have 3,000 hits when all is said and done.
2. Mike Trout
Mike Trout has more homers than Freeman, at 310.
However, he also has significantly fewer hits, at 1,419.
The thing with Trout is that he is so selective (career 15.3 walk percentage) that he is not the best for this exercise.
His thing is getting on base (not necessarily via base hits) and hitting for power.
At 30 years old, however, he has a good chance of making a charge at both MLB milestones.
Chances are he will eclipse the 500 homers with relative ease somewhere in his mid-to-late 30s if he is healthy, but the hits look a lot tougher.
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is perhaps the closest thing to Cabrera’s peak when it comes to skill set.
I just enjoy how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got front row seats, witnessing Miguel Cabrera hitting his 500th Home Run, in his 19th Season in the Major Leagues.
A lot of comps there, for everyone to see.#BlueJays #Tigers #Miggypic.twitter.com/doShtNlD7N
— Jordan Roca (@JRoc23) August 22, 2021
He can take a walk, sure, but unlike Trout, he prefers to do his damage by swinging the bat.
Of course, at just 22 years old, it is unfair for us to talk about 500 homers and 3,000 hits for him.
He does have the hitting talent to get there.
He is second in MLB in homers this year with 36, and is hitting .309.
Those are the kind of numbers that, if achieved on a yearly basis, can help him get in the discussion when he is well into his 30s.
Right now, he has 60 homers and 322 hits, but his career is just getting started.
Staying in shape will be crucial for him, but he is perhaps the best bet to get to 500 homers and 3,000 hits in the long run.
