MLB Featured Columinsts' Poll: Who is Most Likely to Hit .400, Go 50/50?

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No other sport comes close to baseball's enthusiasm for and appreciation of individual accomplishments. Every MLB follower knows that Barry Bonds was the last player to eclipse 70 homers in a season and that no one has hit .400 since Ted Williams.

This week, Bleacher Report's Featured Columnists have weighed in about which players are most likely to reach nine legendary baseball milestones before the end of 2015, from stealing 100 bases in a season to striking out 20 batters in one game.

Voters were discouraged from naming the same player in more than one category and prohibited from picking the a player more than twice. To reinforce the spirit of thinking outside the box, two FCs submitted commentary for each question: one for the top vote-getter and one for an "interesting pick" who received only one or two votes.

Just to be clear, no one is saying that any of these predictions will come true. Someone picking Pablo Sandoval to hit .400 doesn't mean he or she thinks Panda will hit .400; it simply means that, if someone was going to do it, he or she believes Sandoval has the best chance of doing so.

Without further ado, let's find out what players are most likely to...

Note: I sent this survey only to the Featured Columnists who have been active in previous polls. If you are a new FC or you have changed your mind about wanting to participate, send me a message and I'll be sure to keep you in the loop for next time!

...hit .400 in a season?

Joe Mauer—9
Ichiro Suzuki—6
Robinson Cano—3
Carlos Gonzalez—1
Jason Heyward—1
Martin Prado—1
Albert Pujols—1
Pablo Sandoval—1

On Joe Mauer (Brandon Williams)

On a short list of players capable of hitting .400 in a season, Minnesota's Joe Mauer would be my choice. He is getting better as an all-around hitter, and will continue to swing it well into his 30s, which is when I think it will happen. Mauer will eventually move from behind the plate, which will make him more energized as he opens the door to reaching the hallowed ground of .4-0-0.

Interesting Pick: Martin Prado (Brett Kettyle)

Martin Prado has proven to be an extremely consistent and smart hitter since 2008, when he first got extended playing time with the Atlanta Braves. His .310 career batting average is proof that he can hit, and I love that he sprays the ball all over the diamond.

His consistency will help Prado avoid slumps, which could be key if anyone was to make a run at accomplishing something that hasn’t happened since 1941.

...hit 70 homers in a season?

Albert Pujols—6
Prince Fielder—3
Ryan Howard—3
Adrian Gonzalez—2
Mike Stanton—2
Miguel Cabrera—1
Kendry Morales—1
Alex Rodriguez—1
Travis Snider—1

On Albert Pujols (Samantha Bunten)

I'm pretty sure it's nearly impossible for a clean-up hitter to whack 70 homers in a season, but if there's one guy who could do it, it's Pujols.

There's no question Pujols has the physical strength and talent for pitch selection to do it, and the Cards' lineup is deep enough to make certain that he'll be protected and opponents will have to pitch to him.

Interesting Pick: Evan Longoria (Nino Colla)

Let me preface this by saying I don't think anyone is going to hit 70 home runs in a season anytime soon, but Longoria may eventually lead the league in that category for a few consecutive years when he hits his prime. He topped 33 last year and he isn't even 25. As soon as he starts hitting his stride, he's going to be topping 50 on a regular basis.

...hit 700 homers in his career?

Jason Heyward—12
Mike Stanton—5
Justin Upton—2
Bryce Harper—1
Evan Longoria—1
Ryan Zimmerman—1

Note: Only players 25 or younger were eligible in this category, and the 2015 deadline does not apply here.

On Jason Heyward (Nick Cafferky)

Heyward is just 20 years old and even before he took his first major league swing, he was compared to the likes of Ken Griffey Jr. and Hank Aaron.

Heyward's swing is one of the most pure in all of baseball and he could approach 30 home runs this year. This kid could be hitting 30-40 homers a year for the next 20 years. You do the math.

Interesting Pick: Ryan Zimmerman (Aaron Hooks)

If a guy is going to get to 700, it will be another Henry Aaron type player. Plays 150 games every year, gets 30 HRs every year, gets overlooked every year for MVP awards, plays on teams not good enough to be the post-season every year. You get the idea.

Zimmerman is already past 100 HRs before he's 25 and is an All-Star caliber player. Never going to get the hype of an A-Rod or Barry Bonds. Just a guy that gets his every season.

...steal 100 bases in a season?

Brett Gardner—4
Michael Bourn—4
Jacoby Ellsbury—3
Desmond Jennings—2
Elvis Andrus—1
Everth Cabrera—1
Carl Crawford—1
Rajai Davis—1
Delino DeShields, Jr.—1
Jose Reyes—1
B.J. Upton—1
Eric Young, Jr.—1

On Brett Gardner (Jon Presser)

Brett Gardner is an underrated speed demon for the Yankees. He has 21 steals in 25 attempts this year, good for third best in the majors, and his FanGraphs Speed Score is 8.5, behind only Carl Crawford and Will Venable for the best in the majors. With his combination of speed and smart baserunning instincts, he could have himself a 100 steal season someday.

Interesting Pick: Delino DeShields, Jr. (Jeff Wahl)

Delino DeShields Jr. Remember that name because he may be the next great base stealer, perhaps as early as 2012.

His dad, Delino DeShields Sr., stole a base or two in his 13-year career. Actually, he stole 463 of them. And now that Jr. is a Houston Astro, his baserunning coach will be Eric Young, who swiped 465 bags.

Bloodlines + coaching + environment + talent = MLB's next Stolen Base King and the guy with the best shot at 100 in a season.

...start the 50/50 Club?

Matt Kemp—6
Jason Heyward—2
Hanley Ramirez—2
B.J. Upton—2
Ryan Braun—1
Domonic Brown—1
Carlos Gonzalez—1
Andrew McCutchen—1
Evan Longoria—1
Colby Rasmus—1
Drew Stubbs—1

On Matt Kemp (Dennis Schlossman)

Kemp's power numbers are increasing exponentially, from seven home runs in his rookie season to 26 last year. Kemp has averaged 35 stolen bases the past two seasons, and his baserunning skills continue to improve with experience.

Still only 25 years old, Matt Kemp is headed for the 30/30 club for the first time this season. He has the potential to etch his name in the record books in the years to come.

Interesting Pick: Colby Rasmus (Bob Warja)

If anyone can do it, I say it's Colby Rasmus. He plays on a team that allows him to hit near the top of the lineup whereas with other teams power hitters usually hit middle of the order where they aren't asked to steal as many bases.

He is currently on pace for 30 homers and 22 stolen bases. While that's a far cry from 50/50, keep in mind he's only 23 and in his second season.

...throw a perfect game?

Roy Halladay—4
Ubaldo Jimenez—3
Cliff Lee—2
Stephen Strasburg—2
Matt Cain—1
Chris Carpenter—1
Yovani Gallardo—1
Zack Greinke—1
Dan Haren—1
Clayton Kershaw—1
Tim Lincecum—1
Shawn Marcum—1
Mike Pelfrey—1
Mitch Talbot—1
Justin Verlander—1
Jered Weaver—1

On Roy Halladay (Adam Rygg)

Why do I think that Roy Halladay stands the best chance to do it again within the next five years? The pitcher with the best chance to throw a perfect game every time he steps onto the mound is the one who just so happens to be the best pitcher in the game. Roy Halladay is that pitcher. And lest we forget, he's already proven to us that he capable of perfection.

Interesting Pick: Yovani Gallardo (Todd Hayek)

Gallardo is developing into one of the best pitchers in the National League and if his growth continues as it has been he will be in the upper echelon of pitchers along with Halladay, Jimenez, and Lincecum.

Gallardo is still young at just 24 years old; he's still learning how to pitch. However, he has all the tools to throw a perfect game and if the opponent, environment, and his control all come together on the right evening he will most likely perform the feat.

...strike out 20 batters in a game?

Stephen Strasburg—9
Tim Lincecum—4
Neftali Feliz—2
Aroldis Chapman—1
Roy Halladay—1
Dan Haren—1
Jon Lester—1
Brandon Morrow—1
Max Scherzer—1
Justin Verlander—1
Adam Wainwright—1

On Stephen Strasburg (Lewie Pollis)

A Major League pitcher should be able get a handful of strikeouts his first time through the lineup. For a pitcher to whiff 20 in a game, though, takes a completely different skill: the ability to fool players who have already seen his stuff at least two or three times.

Six Pirates faced Strasburg thrice in his debut; each whiffed in his third at-bat. Just imagine what he’ll do once he matures further.

Interesting Pick: Neftali Feliz (Cameron Britt)

Neftali Feliz is a 22-year-old, high-octane (has been clocked in triple-digits out of the ‘pen), high-savvy (plus-breaking ball and fast-developing change-up) Dominican right-hander whose stuff makes him a pretty logical fit for the 20-K pick.

Granted, the Rangers will need to decide to pursue his “ace ceiling” rather than the closer avenue they chose for 2010. But the stuff is there to give him a legitimate shot at a mark that has only been achieved thrice in nine-inning affairs.

...win a Triple Crown?

Miguel Cabrera—6
Albert Pujols—6
Andre Ethier—3
Justin Morneau—2
Robinson Cano—1
Tim Lincecum—1
Hanley Ramirez—1
Joey Votto—1

On Miguel Cabrera (Joel Reuter)

While many people would be inclined to immediately say Albert Pujols here, and with good reason, I think some fans tend to forget that Cabrera is still just 27 years old, and entering his prime.

A lot has to go right for someone to win the Triple Crown, and I still don’t think it’s going to happen anytime soon. But if anyone’s going to do it, I think it’ll be Cabrera.

Interesting Pick: Ubaldo Jimenez (Cameron Britt)

As it stands today (June 13, 2010), Ubaldo Jimenez is leading two of the three categories that he needs for pitching’s triple crown—sitting atop of the NL heap with a 1.16 ERA and 12 victories and lagging a bit at 10th in strikeouts.

While one bad start in the thin air of Coors Field could throw a wrench into all of this, Jimenez’s league-best marks in WHIP (0.98) and OBA (.180) and near-100 mph, foot-and-a-half breaking (note the use of a hyperbole) fastball seem to indicate utter dominance that shouldn’t fade.

...win multiple MVP awards but never make the playoffs?

Andrew McCutchen—3
Miguel Cabrera—3
Hanley Ramirez—2
Pedro Alvarez—1
Mark Buehrle—1
Billy Butler—1
Starlin Castro—1
Zack Greinke—1
Bryce Harper—1
Evan Longoria—1
Justin Morneau—1
Albert Pujols—1
Ichiro Suzuki—1
Justin Upton—1
Matt Wieters—1
Ryan Zimmerman—1

On Andrew McCutchen (Asher Chancey)

In his second year in the major leagues, 23-year-old Andrew McCutchen has hit the ground running for the Pittsburgh Pirates. McCutchen has also hit the ground walking, hit the ground hitting, and hit the ground throwing. Of course, these are the Pittsburgh Pirates we're talking about. They haven't finished in better than fourth place since 2000 and haven't had a winning season since 1992.

Andrew McCutchen is going places. Unfortunately, the Pirates aren't coming with him.

Interesting Pick: Billy Butler (Samantha Bunten)

At the moment Billy Butler is one of the most underrated players in MLB. He ranks sixth in the league in average, ahead of well-known stars like Joe Mauer and Evan Longoria. The only downside of Butler's game is that he plays for the Royals.

Someday Butler will grow into an MVP-type player who will get the recognition he deserves, but the Royals don't appear to be on track to make it to the playoffs any time soon.