Mike Trout: The challenges and realities of chasing milestones in MLB

As the book closed on the 2016 season, Mike Trout seemed invincible. The Los Angeles Angels outfielder had just wrapped up his fifth full season and was only 24. He had been remarkably durable to that point, playing at least 139 games in the previous four seasons.

After the 2016 season, Trout had 917 hits, 168 home runs, 143 steals and 175 doubles, a remarkable output through 811 games. What couldn't this guy do? Which milestones were safe from his yearly onslaught? 

And then the injuries came. 

Since 2017, Trout has played in just 707 games, with three seasons of 82 or fewer games. Trout played in 53 of 60 regular-season games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, but injuries in other seasons have hampered his career's magnificent start. This season, a left knee injury has limited him to 29 games.

In the past eight seasons, Trout has 731 hits, 210 home runs, 69 steals and 136 doubles — solid numbers but a far cry from the torrid pace he was on in his first five-plus seasons.

Trout was a good bet to break into multiple elite milestone groups: 500 home runs, 300 home runs/300 steals club and maybe even 3,000 hits. He's unlikely to do that now, which begs the question: If not Trout, then what hitters will achieve these noteworthy milestones?

And what pitchers could crash into the 300-win and 3,000-strikeout clubs?

Here are milestones and the players who may challenge them. Lists include player, current team, age, years in majors and stat total. 

All stats are from Baseball-Reference and through July 10.

500 Home runs | Last member: Miguel Cabrera (2021)

ACTIVE LEADERS

1. Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees (15 seasons, aged 34): 420
2. Mike Trout, Angels (14, 32): 378
3. Joey Votto, Blue Jays (17, 40): 356
4. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (14, 36): 352
5. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (15, 34): 334

Trout needs 122 home runs, so he may reach 500. However, he's 32 and in his 14th season.

Trout averaged 33 home runs per season through his first five full seasons but just 21 from 2020 to 2023. At that rate, he needs nearly six more seasons to accomplish the feat. This season, he has 10 dingers.

At 420 home runs, Stanton has the best chance to surpass 500, but the 34-year-old is up against Father Time. Through 69 games this season, he has 18 home runs after hitting 24 in 101 games last season. Staying on the field will be his biggest challenge.

The Yankees' Aaron Judge and the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber have surpassed the 250-HR mark and could join the 500 club if they keep up their current pace.

3,000 hits | Last member: Cabrera (2022)

ACTIVE LEADERS

1. Freeman: 2,214
2. Jose Altuve, Astros (14, 34): 2,160
3. Votto: 2,135
4. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates (16, 37): 2,112
5. Goldschmidt: 1,989

Few of the active leaders may reach 3,000. Freeman is the closest and youngest, but he would need at least four more seasons to accomplish the feat. 

Since 2021, Freeman has averaged 197 hits per season. The best news for him is that he's in the lineup almost daily. Since 2021, he's appeared in at least 159 games each season.

There's more work for Altuve, but he would need a similar output as Freeman to reach the plateau. Last season slowed him down as he appeared in only 90 games, but through 88 games this season, he has 113 hits.

Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, who has 1,416 hits, is approaching midway in his 10th season. He's a long shot but someone to keep an eye on.