Morales 5 dingers away from BBA Top 5.(44.30)

[niles08]

Emilio Morales has had a very similar season compared to the past 3, which has put his slugging percentage at just .508, light years behind the seasons of .665 when he was in his mid-20’s. Despite the .508 slugging percentage this year, Morales still has 34 home runs on the year and is on pace for a “mediocre” 46 long balls this season along with 92 RBI. His 2.7 WAR already this season beats each of his past 2 seasons, and his projected 3.6 WAR finish would be his second best year over the past 6 seasons.

Morales is certain to earn his 2.5 million bonus for 500 plate appearances, considering he already has 480 this season, and he was also votes as an all-star selection this year, his 7th of his career, giving him another $1.25 million in bonuses.

His current career home run tally of 626 places him 6th on the list, just 94 home runs from Bopper Kengo’s record of 720. This season Morales has gone from 8th on the list(592) and has a small outside shot to move into the top 4 if he manages another 17 on the season. Currently, he is projected to hit another 12 and finish 2044 with 638 career home runs. It’s unlikely that Morales has any shot at reaching the top 3 during the 2045 season, however at a pace of 40 home runs a season, Morales would finish 2045 with 678 home runs, and have an outside shot at not only the top 2 in 2046, but also taking over the top spot in career home runs.

Assuming 90 RBI a season, Morales isn’t only moving up the home run leaderboards. Starting the season 35th on the all-time leaderboard, Morales has already moved up into 24, and by 2045 should be in the top 20, before jumping all the way up into the top 10 during that same 2046 season, in which Morales should cross over the 700 home run mark.

What about doubles? Well Morales' career 324 doubles is still over 120 off from even entering the top 100 all time. But who needs doubles when you can just hit home runs instead?

[aaronweiner]

Top 5 homer guy is a first ballot Hall of Famer. He's still relevant at age 34 too.