San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado recently achieved a significant milestone in his career, reaching 2,000 career hits. This accomplishment sparks the question: Could Machado be on the path to joining the elite 3,000-hit club?
Machado Joins Exclusive Company
Machado reached his 2,000th hit this week, becoming only the 17th player in MLB history to reach 2,000 hits and 350+ home runs by the age of 33. This puts him in the company of legendary players such as Hank Aaron, Miguel Cabrera, Ken Griffey Jr., and Willie Mays. Thirteen of the others in that group are already Hall of Famers, and Cabrera and Pujols are locks to join them.
The Road to 3,000
Dennis Lin of The Athletic provides valuable perspective on Machado's chances of reaching 3,000 hits. Machado is the 95th player to reach 2,000 hits by age 33, and the 18th to do so this century. Five of the first 17 – Derek Jeter, Rodriguez, Adrian Beltré, Pujols and Cabrera – went on to compile 3,000 hits.
Machado is one of five active players with at least 2,000 hits, and perhaps the one with the best chance of reaching 3,000. He's younger than Freddie Freeman, Jose Altuve, Andrew McCutchen and Paul Goldschmidt and his 11-year, $350 million contract extends through 2033, giving him ample time to accumulate the necessary hits.
However, reaching 3,000 hits is no easy feat. It requires consistent performance, good health, and longevity. Machado will need to maintain his current pace and avoid major injuries to have a realistic shot at reaching this milestone.
Beyond Machado's individual accomplishments, the Padres are still striving to regain their offensive prowess. The team is looking for a return to the potent offense that was expected at the start of the season.
As Machado continues his career, baseball fans will be watching closely to see if he can join the exclusive club of players with 3,000 career hits. His journey is sure to be filled with excitement and challenges, and it will be fascinating to see how it unfolds.