Home Run Greatness and Approaching Lifetime Greatness
Since Babe Ruth and a generation later Hank Aaron, the top home run hitters have been some of the heroes of our time. How do they strike us? Barry Bonds, known for cheating; Albert Pujols did not, right? Alex Rodriguez did, a bit... Those are the top five all time.
The major leagues currently have three players in the top 100 home run hitters all time. Two are playing in their prime of age, more or less, while one may be done and might not sniff any more big-league playing time. He is 40 years old and trying to make it back.
Giancarlo Stanton is 34; playing for a pretty good Yankees team. He should likely make top 40 this season, as long he stays healthy. He could make the 600s in the next few seasons, if things go right.
Trout is hurt once again, missing out on valuable playing time. He is two years younger than Stanton, Mike has had more plate appearances. Both have had significant injuries over the years.
Who is next? We have guys in the top two hundred all-time, to include a young Harper and Machado. Aaron Judge is right behind them, at the same age.
Goldschmidt is struggling so far this year at age 36. Could he play another four years? His body of work would suggest so, but some guys hit a wall at certain ages. Dale Murphy did. He stopped at 398 and could not reach 400. He said he felt he was done. He was age 37.
J.D. Martinez, Santana, and McCutcheon are all in their late thirties. Rizzo is there with Freeman.
Perhaps of all the guys on this current board, Aaron Judge might have the biggest ceiling to fill. He is 32, and has so much power...
We shall see who adds the most this year, 2024. Judge has 17 so far, and Harper is doing better than normal but, but it is hard to stay up with Judge.
These are the men who will look to push the top records in the next ten years. We shall see what 2024 will bring.
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