David Ortiz became the 27th player in MLB history -- and just the fourth in Red Sox history -- to reach the 500 HR club. Two HRs in Saturday night's 10-4 victory over the Rays etched his name among baseball's elite.
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Ortiz won't be the last to join this tainted club. Several active players are within reach, or at least projected to reach the 500-HR threshold.
Miguel Cabrera
It's been a down year for the Tigers and Miguel Cabrera. Entering the season with 390 HRs, the 31-year-old was limited due to a calf strain, spending six weeks on the DL. His 17 HRs in 2015 are projected to be his lowest since his rookie year in 2003 (12).
All Cabrera will need is four years of modest production -- averaging 21 HRs -- to become the next member of the 500 HR club.
After Oritz, the 2nd most likely player to reach 500 HR is Miguel Cabrera (80.5%)
— Ace of MLB Stats (@AceballStats) September 13, 2015
Mike Trout
Only five years into his big league career, Mike Trout has proven to be the purest long-ball hitter in baseball. The 24-year-old is already a quarter of the way there, belting 132 HRs in 631 games. Not accounting for injuries or lack of form -- with an average of 30 HRs per year -- it will take Trout roughly 12 seasons to eclipse the 500-HR mark.
Much can go wrong in that time span, but he's as safe a bet as any among the youngsters in MLB.
Prince Fielder
At 31, it's a stretch to envision Prince Fielder joining the ranks of Ortiz. But given Ortiz's ability to still go yard -- despite being eight years Fielder's senior -- there's enough optimism to bring him into consideration.
All Fielder would need is an average of 25 HRs over the next eight years to achieve the milestone his father couldn't.
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