RLB has never had a player reach 3,000 hits. However, that Milestone may be broken in our lifetime. Here are the players with the best shots at breaking 3000
Has a shot:
Spencer Ritter: Ritter is the current active hit leader with 2,355, good for 12th all time. He's currently 35 and is shy 645 hits. He's hit 189 the last 2 seasons, and is on pace for 188 this season, so if he can stave off decline till his late 30s he's got a great chance. The RLB record (2,837) might be a more realistic goal if he starts to show his age, however.
Mike Belkin: Belkin is 27 and currently has 1,646 hits. He's had 200+ hits in 5 of the last 6 seasons. If Ritter doesn't break the barrier, Belkin has the best shot of everyone left.
Talk to me in 5 years:
Brian Lindsey, Nate Banister, Ryan Borjklund, Jeremy Banks
These players all have had great starts to their careers, but are too far away from 3000 to project anything. Because he's the best player between them, meaning he'll likely play for longer, and is on the best pace, Lindsey has the best shot of anyone in this category.
If things go Right:
Brian Arnaut, Mike Hastings, Jesus Sanchez, Mitch Bourne, Nick Kusters, Melvin Palacios
These are all good players, but they're behind the pace set by the guys in the previous category. Any of them could have a nice long career a
If they were 5 years younger..: Eddie Salazar, Travis Pinkard, Dan Linson, Hector Arias, Trent Young. These guys all have impressive hit totals, but are too old to close the gap to 3,000
The Kids:
Billy Brett, Justin Treadway, Jason Cole, Shane Justice
These are the 4 prospects my scout has at least a 75 hit tool for. Far to early to project anything, but if they pan out any of them could conceivably break the record
Your favorite player: No chance. Sorry. Finally, the top 5 players in order of who I think is most likely to break 3,000 first. 1. Belkin 2. Lindsey
3. Ritter 4. Banister 5. Brett If Ritter doesn't get there, which I think is likely, it's Belkin's to lose. He's 27 and more than half way there. Lindsey has a great shot because his profile ages really well. Banister is on a better a slightly pace than Lindsey, but is fragile and not as good of a player overall. Brett is an obscenely good player, but putting any prospect at #5 on a list like this is already a big give for me.
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