Who, if anyone, is MLB's next 40-40 star?

One of the most elite fraternities in Major League Baseball is the 40-40 club.

In the entire history of the league, only Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Alfonso Soriano have hit at least 40 home runs and stolen at least 40 bases in a single season.

There have been several near misses, however. Matt Kemp came within one home run of joining the club in 2011, but no player since has even gotten close. In fact, over the last six years, 31 players have hit 40 or more home runs in a single season, but only one of them has stolen at least 30 bases. Of the five players to hit 40 or more home runs in 2017, none of them recorded double-digit stolen bases.

While stolen bases are down across the league - the American League-leader only had 34 last season - home runs are on the rise, and with the current crop of young stars it's not impossible to think that there might be a fifth member of the 40-40 club coming in 2018. Here are some candidates who could make history this season, or at least in the near future:

Mike Trout, Angels

Trout seems like the best bet to join the club. Limited to just 114 games last season, the Angels star still managed to hit 33 home runs and steal 22 bases. Trout hit a career-high 41 home runs in 2015 and stole 49 bases in 2012, so he's already shown that he's capable of reaching each individual milestone - he'll just have to figure out a way to do both in the same year. Trout has been extremely efficient stealing bases throughout his career, reaching safety on 165 of 197 (83.7 percent) attempts. Given the fact that he's gotten better with every year in the league, it could only be a matter of time.

Mookie Betts, Red Sox

Betts has stolen 26 bases in each of the last two seasons, but saw his power numbers take a hit in 2017 which could partially be blamed on hand and wrist injuries he dealt with throughout the season. Hitting at Fenway Park 81 times a year certainly helps Betts in his pursuit to reach the 40-homer mark, and as he enters just his age-25 season, there's no reason why he can't steal more. The two-time All-Star has converted 80 of his 96 stolen-base attempts (83 percent), and new Red Sox skipper Alex Cora may encourage his young star to be more aggressive on the basepaths.

Jose Altuve, Astros

Altuve equaled his career high in homers with 24 in each of the past two years, so 40 home runs for the diminutive second baseman might be a stretch. But as Altuve continues to prove throughout his career, it's never smart to count him out - especially when the five-time All-Star has the luxury of hitting with the short porch at Minute Maid Park. The stolen bases shouldn't be an issue, even as Altuve gets older. He swiped a career-best 56 in 2014, and has stolen at least 30 bases in each of the last six seasons.

Yoan Moncada, White Sox

Moncada has only 62 major-league games under his belt, but has already shown flashes of what he's capable of. The former top prospect tore up the basepaths in the minors, stealing 111 bases, while hitting 35 home runs in 267 games over three seasons. Last year with Triple-A Charlotte, he hit 12 home runs and stole 17 bases in 80 games as a 22-year-old. The stolen bases weren't there when he was called up by the White Sox last season - just three in 54 games - but as Moncada becomes more comfortable in the majors, the coaching staff will likely take the reins off, allowing him to be more aggressive. Fangraphs projects Moncada to hit 17 homers and steal 20 bases in 138 games in his first full season in 2018.

Byron Buxton, Twins

Buxton has certainly endured his struggles early on in his career, but if the second half of last season is any indication, things have finally started to click. The 24-year-old hit 11 home runs and stole 13 bases in 57 games following the All-Star break, providing optimism that he can be a legitimate speed and power threat moving forward. Hitting the 40 stolen-base mark shouldn't be an issue for Buxton. He swiped 55 bases in 125 games in the minors in 2013, and that was after getting thrown out on 19 occasions. The power will continue to come, and while it's highly unlikely Buxton reaches the 40-40 club next season, he certainly has the potential to do so at some point.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)