Who will join the 3,000-hit club next?

Jun 19, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) waves to fans after a game against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees defeated the Tigers 7-2 and Rodriguez hit a solo home run in the first inning, the 3000th hit of his career. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Nearly four years after teammate Derek Jeter entered the 3,000-hit club via home run, Alex Rodriguez did the same, sending a first inning Justin Verlander fastball into the Yankee Stadium right field bleachers. He became the 29th player to achieve the feat, and the third to do it with a homer after Jeter and Wade Boggs.

The 3,000-hit plateau is one of the most coveted individual milestones in all of baseball, the mark of a long and productive career with the bat. Reaching it would require one to maintain an average of 200 hits over 15 seasons, illustrating just how consistently great a player must be over a considerable span of time.

It has been a virtually automatic ticket-punch to the Hall of Fame as well. Almost every member of the club who has reached eligibility has been voted into the Hall, with the exceptions of Pete Rose and Rafael Palmeiro. A-Rod, of course, may find himself in a similar situation down the line. Fans will make their own judgments as to the legitimacy of Rodriguez’s accomplishment, but genuine or not, he currently has 3,000 hits in his MLB ledger.

Which other players stand a good chance of someday joining the ranks of the 3,000-hit fraternity? Young stars like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper are certainly setting promising paces, but here is a look at some of the game’s current active hit leaders, players who have the milestone firmly within their sights.

Next: Ichiro Suzuki