Amazing MLB Records That Could Be Broken This Year

Every year in baseball there are some amazing stories that take place and records that fall. 

This year is no different. 

As we head into All-Star week, it is fun to look back at the half-season that was and see what records are in danger of falling and who is on the brink of making history.

Some guys on this list, such as Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, will be making the first of many appearances on lists such as these, while others, such as Adam Dunn, may break records they wish did not exist.

It is going to be an exciting second half of the season. Here are seven records that could be broken.

Cincinnati Reds Prospect Billy Hamilton: Most Steals in a Single Season

Billy Hamilton just might be the fastest man in baseball.

Period.

After stealing 103 bases in 135 games last season as a 20-year-old in A-ball, he already has 104 in just 82 games this year. If he is able to play the same 135 games that he did last season, he is on pace to finish with 171 stolen bases.

The California League record currently sits at 144, and that was set by Donnell Nixon in 1983. 

At the major league level, the record for a single season in the live-ball era is held by Rickey Henderson with 130 bags. In 1887 Hugh Nicol finished with an astounding 138 stolen bases. Hamilton appears to be on his way to shattering each mark. 

Chicago White Sox DH Adam Dunn: Most K's in a Single Season

If batting average and strikeouts did not matter, Adam Dunn would be a shoo-in for the Comeback Player of the Year Award. 

Who knows—if he continues to hit homers and drive in runs, he still may win the award.

Having said all of that, the "Big Donkey" is well on his way to a strikeout record Mark Reynolds probably thought he had locked up.

In just 84 games, Dunn has already struck out 134 times, good for 1.595 K's a game. Dunn's previous career high in punchouts was 199, but if he continues this pace and plays in around 150 games, he will strike out 239 times.

Reynolds currently holds the infamous "record" with 223 K's in 2009, but I think Dunn will surpass that provided he stays healthy.

Cincinnati Reds 1B Joey Votto: Most Doubles in a Single Season

Joey Votto is having himself another MVP-caliber season.

The Reds 1B ranks fifth in the National League in batting average, first in on-base percentage, second in slugging and first in walks. 

On top of that, he leads all of baseball in doubles with 35, eight more than the players tied for second. The single-season record for doubles is Earl Webb's 67, a number that has stood for an astounding 81 years.

Votto is on pace to top that mark.

New York Mets SP R.A. Dickey: Best Single-Season Winning Percentage

R.A. Dickey is having a season for the ages.

Not only is he tied for first in baseball with 12 wins, but he also has the seventh-best ERA, second-best WHIP and fourth-most strikeouts, allowing just 86 hits in 120 innings.

Oh yeah, he's a knuckleballer too.

What could turn into his greatest achievement of the season, besides giving the knuckleballer some legitimacy, is that he could finish with the greatest winning percentage of all time.

Right now, Dickey is 12-1 and has the third-best single-season winning percentage in the history of the game. Can he go the entire second half without losing?

That would be one tough assignment.

However, the only game he lost was played through a rainstorm, which Dickey said was "like throwing water balloons." As long as he doesn't have to pitch in inclement weather, I'm saying there's a chance.

Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates: End 20-Year-Plus Playoff Droughts

For the fans in Pittsburgh and Washington/Montreal, it has simply been way too long.

The last time the Pirates made the playoffs was the 1992 season, when they lost to the Braves in the NLCS in what has been described as the most painful loss in sports history. 

The Nationals franchise, formerly known as the Montreal Expos, has not made the playoffs since 1981, which was a strike-shortened year.

While these are not necessarily "records," they would be incredible accomplishments for two great baseball towns. These two organizations have the two best records in the National League heading into the All-Star break, and it would be a fantastic story if they ended their streaks in the same year. 

Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout: Youngest MVP in MLB History

What a first half this young man has had.

When Mike Trout played his first game this season on April 28, the Angels were 7-14 and already nine games back of the first-place Texas Rangers.

Since his call-up, the Angels have gone 41-24 and now sit only four games out of first while holding the wild-card lead.

The chants for Trout to be named MVP are only just beginning. His triple slash line of .341/.397/.562 is supplemented by his 57 runs and 26 steals, each of which lead baseball since April 28. Despite playing in nearly 20 fewer games than his counterparts David Wright and Joey Votto, Trout ranks third among all hitters in WAR. 

The youngest MVP in baseball history was 21/22-year-old Vida Blue in the 1971 season. 

Trout will turn 21 on August 7, and if he continues his incredible season, he will become the youngest player in MLB history to win an MVP award.

Follow @ZPetersel