I’LL Miss You 3,000
Say goodbye to the race for 3,000 hits (for now). If you were lucky enough to watch baseball since the year 2000, you have been blessed with seeing ten individuals reach the 3,000 hit milestone. With Miguel Cabrera being the last to achieve this accomplishment in 2022, I believe he will be the last one we will see for years to come.
On April 23, 2022, Miguel Cabrera became the 33rd member to reach 3000 hits. To find the next active player close to the milestone, you will have to search deep down the list. at 81 on the all time hits list you will find Robinson Cano with 2,631 hits. Unfortunately I don’t believe Cano will reach 3,000. At age 39, Cano has battled injuries, suspensions, and frankly has lost his spot in the lineup to younger, more talented players. If not Cano, then who?
There is no telling what will happen in the future, but I believe there are three active players capable of reaching 3000 hits in their respective careers. The first is Houston Astros second baseman, Jose Altuve. Altuve is 1,217 hits away from 3000 and a real threat to reach the milestone, but the former MVP has seen a decline in his average hits per year since winning the award in 2017. In his prime, Altuve was averaging 211 hits per season (2014-2017). During this time Altuve was the most dominant hitter in the MLB, but since 2017 Altuve has averaged just 132 hits. At age 32, if Altuve continues with his current trend of hitting he will need to play at least nine more seasons with 132 hits or more to reach 3000. For such a great hitter like Altuve is, I can see him reaching the milestone, but will he stay in the MLB until he is 41? Who knows.
The second, and most obvious choice is Los Angeles Angels center fielder, Mike Trout. Trout has been labeled as the most complete baseball player since Ken Griffey Jr, and the face of baseball year in and year out. Every baseball writer and broadcaster believes that Trout will end his career as the best baseball player to ever step foot on a diamond. There is no doubt that Trout has had a phenomenal start to his career, but it will be tough for him to reach 3000 hits on his current path. At age 30, Trout is only 1,562 hits away from 3000 but since the year 2016 Trout has not been able to stay healthy for a full season. Since 2016 Trout has averaged under 100 hits per season (2017 - Present). If this trend continues, Trout will need to play fifteen or more seasons to reach 3000 putting him at age 45 which is highly unlikely. If Mike Trout wants to reach 3000 hits, he will need to stay healthy for years to follow.
The third potential player to reach 3000 hits is San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado. Machado is entering his age 29-30 season with 1451 hits (including 2022 so far). Like Trout he has had his up and down seasons with injury, but in just his 10th season in Major League Baseball, Machado is averaging 145 hits a year over his career. If Machado continues this trend he will be right on track to reach 3000 by his age 39 - 40 season. This puts him in the same position as recent players who have hit 3000 like, Miguel Cabrera at 39, Albert Pujols at 38, and Adrian Beltre at 38. Machado, known for his stellar defense and dynamic hitting ability could be the only player we see reach the 3000 hit club in the next ten years.
For now, baseball fans will have to sit back and wait until another player even sniffs 3000 hits. It was pure enjoyment from 2000 - 2022 to watch some of Major League Baseball’s legends accomplish such a pristine accomplishment. Who knows when the next player will reach the top thirty-four hitters of all time. Until then, I’ll miss you 3000.