Miami Marlins: 10 possible milestones for Giancarlo Stanton

Jun 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder

before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The current face of the Miami Marlins franchise, Giancarlo Stanton, has a package of talent many baseball fans have never seen before. It wouldn’t be a stretch to argue that Stanton has the best pure power in the game.

While he’s hurt, and the Marlins are playing poorly, I find it fun to bask in the greatness of Miami’s top power source. Last month, I made a video with all of Stanton’s homers from this season in just one minute. Just yesterday, I wrote about the possibility that Stanton knocks 70 homers in a year.

ICYMI: All of Stanton’s 2015 homers in one minute

And now, I go through possible milestones Big G could reach within the next couple of years. Stanton has already broken many Marlins records, including career homers, but also career strikeouts. What’s next for him?

Jun 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a two run home run in the first inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

10. Single Season Marlins slugging percentage record (.624) held by Gary Sheffield

In 1996, Gary Sheffield posted some of the best numbers in baseball. That season saw Sheffield notch franchise records in homers, slugging percentage, OPS, on-base percentage, and walks.

Stanton held a .608 SLG in 2012 and a .606 SLG this season. .624 is a whopping slugging percentage so it will be very tough and possibly out of reach for Stanton, which is why this feat stands at number ten.

Jun 24, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) across home plate in front of St. Louis Cardinals catcher

(4) after Stanton hit a solo home run during the second inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

9. Career Marlins RBI record (578) held by Mike Lowell

This record, unlike Sheffield’s SLG record, seems breakable within the next two years for Giancarlo, whose 466 RBI mark puts him in prime position to top Lowell in the near future.

Jun 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton is congratulated after his two run home run in the first inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

8. Career Marlins Walks record (533) held by Luis Castillo

With little lineup protection in his career, Giancarlo Stanton has racked up his fair share of bases on balls. His mark of 352 walks already ranks among Marlins career leaders. Stanton average 81 walks per 162 games, so this record should be broken within the next five years.

Jun 13, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a two run RBI double during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

7. Single Season Marlins total bases record (315) held by Gary Sheffield

Yes, this is Sheffield in ’96 again. Stanton’s 2015 season would resemble Sheffield’s to an extent, as the numbers Big G was on pace for were seemingly as eye popping (59 HR, 140+ RBI).

But I’ll use 2014 as an example. Giancarlo Stanton notched 299 total bases in 145 games last season, before he was knocked in the face by Mike Fiers. At an 162-game rate with his 2014 numbers, Stanton would have finished with 334 total bases.

Jun 1, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) connects for a base hit during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

5. Single Season Marlins home run record (42) held by Gary Sheffield

The reason Stanton hasn’t broken (or shattered for that matter) this record is solely due to injury. Throughout his career, Giancarlo averages 41 homers in a 162-game season.

Now, with arguably more power than ever, a healthy season should propel him to well over 42. As mentioned before, he was on pace for 59 home runs this year. With the fences possibly moved in for 2016, 42 should be entirely doable for the righty superstar.

Jun 11, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (R) celebrates with third baseman

(C) and left fielder

(L) after hitting a three run homer against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Single Season Marlins strikeouts record (187) held by Preston Wilson

Something not positive about Stanton?

Correct, he’s not perfect. Big G posted some high strikeout numbers this season, on pace for 209 strikeouts in a full 2015. Yes, 209. For the record, that would rank as the fourth most strikeouts in a single season of all time.

I wouldn’t say he’s flawed, but Stanton’s weakness is the K. He strikes out a bunch.

Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Baseball fans cheer for National League outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) of the Miami Marlins after the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

3. Career All-star appearances as a Marlin (4) held by Miguel Cabrera

This will be shattered. Miguel Cabrera has been an all-star in nearly every season of his career, and I expect Stanton to be the same way for the future.

The difference? It looks like Stanton will be a Marlins for much longer than Miggy was. At three appearances already, it looks like Giancarlo will be a fixture in the mid-summer classic for a long time.

May 1, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) rounds the bases after scoring the game winning run on an RBI triple from center fielder

(not pictured) during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park. The Marlins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2. 500 RBI

There’s nobody Stanton has to pass here, just the number ‘500.’ Currently at 466, MLB.com projects him to surpass the 500 mark next season. I project that too, as the RBI machine was on pace for…yes, again, 147 this season.

Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; National League outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) of the Miami Marlins reacts as he bats in the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

1. MLB Single Season home run record (73) held by Barry Bonds

Woah there!

Yep, this is my bold prediction. I’m glad you stayed till the end to view this one. Keeping it short, Stanton was on pace for 59 homers this season. Move the fences in for 2016, and he’d be around 70-71 homers.

ICYMI: Can Stanton hit 70 homers in 2016?

I can simply picture games being sold out, even if the Marlins won’t be winning, to watch a healthy Stanton attempt to accomplish this feat. It’s entirely possible, but will be tough. Someone with pure power we haven’t seen since Bonds (and that wasn’t 100% ‘pure’ per se) deserves to attain this record.

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