MLB: Will We Ever See Another Player Reach 3,000 Hits?
Just Getting Started
The consistency and longevity required to reach 3,000 hits is something that appears to be reserved only for the exceptional few in big league history. The game’s past is littered with star players, some of the biggest names the game has ever known, that either fell short of the mark or didn’t even come close.
Two players whose careers are still relatively in their infancies that are off to a fast start toward defying the odds and reaching 3,000 hits are a contrast in both style and notoriety. Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels is one of the brightest, most highly publicized stars in the MLB today, a fixture of all-star games, MVP voting, and highlight reels.
His counterpart is Jose Altuve, the diminutive second baseman of the Houston Astros who, despite being an All-Star himself, winning a batting title and taking home two Silver Sluggers, continues to fly under the radar and rack up monstrous numbers in near-anonymity.
Trout will turn 25 in August, and already is given a 26 percent chance of reaching 3,000 hits by the calculation. Known more for his power, the New Jersey native has averaged 185 hits per 162 games thus far in a career that is only now in its fifth full season. And there is reason to believe that Trout has only barely begun to scratch the surface as a complete hitter, as 2016 is seeing a continuation from last season of improvements to his line drive percentage, strikeout ratio and walk ratio.
Additionally, Trout is maintaining the same ridiculously high batting average on balls in play that he has put up throughout his career. His extra-base hit percentage has also fallen the past two seasons, suggesting that he is becoming more willing to take what pitchers give him rather than swinging for the fences at all times.
The numbers for Altuve, who just turned 26 in May, are also trending in a positive direction, though a slightly different one than Trout’s. He has also seen drastic improvement in line drive percentage, strikeout ratio and walk ratio, but is experiencing a surge in his power numbers. Altuve is currently obliterating his career averages in home run ratio, extra-base hit percentage and ground ball to fly ball ratio.
Altuve is also in his fifth full season and is already ahead of Rose’s hit pace at this juncture in his career. He should easily surpass the 1,000 hit mark at some point in 2016 and is given a 34 percent chance by the calculation of totaling 3,000 by the time he hangs up his cleats. If Altuve continues on as he is and enjoys the necessary health and longevity in his career, joining the club is a very distinct possibility.
Next: On his way.