Baseball Reference Blog
Top 10 Players With Most Strikeouts in a Single Season
Posted by Andrew Weiser on June 28, 2024
As far as basic, unweighted pitching stats are concerned, strikeouts are the standard for demonstrating a pitcher’s performance. A single game performance with a large number of Ks can be enough for a starting pitcher to make a highlight reel but it is very difficult to maintain a high level of strikeout consistency against Major League hitters across an entire season.
What is the single-season strikeout record in Major League Baseball? Let’s have a look and count down the top 10 most strikeouts in a single season. For the purposes of this list, we will only be including strikeout records recorded in the live ball era, defined by Baseball Reference as 1920 onward.
Nolan Ryan
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-2, 170lb (188cm, 77kg)
Born: January 31, 1947 (Age: 77-114d) in Refugio, TX us
Draft: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft from Alvin HS (Alvin, TX).
High School: Alvin HS (Alvin, TX)
Debut:
September 11, 1966
(Age 19-223d,
12,516th in major league history)
vs. ATL 2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER
Last Game:
September 22, 1993
(Age 46-234d)
vs. SEA 0.0 IP, 2 H, 0 SO, 4 BB, 5 ER, L
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1999.
(Voted by BBWAA on 491/497 ballots)
View Nolan Ryan’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1968 season
Agents: Dick Moss
Full Name: Lynn Nolan Ryan
Nicknames: Ryan Express
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
81.3
324
292
3.19
807
773
3
5386.0
5714
1.247
During the 1973 season, Nolan Ryan set the single-season strikeout record for the modern era with 383 Ks. Pitching for the California Angels, Ryan posted a 21-16 record that year, including two no-hitters. He led the American League in strikeouts for the second season in a row, however his 162 walks were also league leading. Despite Ryan’s 20 win season, the Angels finished with a losing 79-83 record that year. Ryan would finish second in AL Cy Young voting, behind the Baltimore Orioles’ Jim Palmer. Palmer posted a 22-9 record and his 2.40 ERA was slightly better than Ryan’s 2.87 mark. Still, it is Ryan who is in the record books with the MLB single-season strikeout record in the modern era.
Sandy Koufax
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Left
6-2, 210lb (188cm, 95kg)
Born: December 30, 1935 (Age: 88-146d) in Brooklyn, NY us
High School: Lafayette HS (Brooklyn, NY)
Schools: Columbia University (New York, NY), University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH)
Debut:
June 24, 1955
(Age 19-176d,
11,268th in major league history)
vs. MLN 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 0 ER
Last Game:
October 2, 1966
(Age 30-276d)
vs. PHI 9.0 IP, 7 H, 10 SO, 1 BB, 2 ER, W
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1972.
(Voted by BBWAA on 344/396 ballots)
View Sandy Koufax’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1956 season
Full Name: Sanford Koufax
Nicknames: The Left Arm of God
Pronunciation: \KOE-facks\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
48.9
165
87
2.76
397
314
9
2324.1
2396
1.106
Nolan Ryan’s 1973 record just eked out Sandy Koufax’s previous single-season record for strikeouts. Ryan’s strikeout record bested Koufax’s 1965 record of 382 by one. One of the best overall seasons in the lefthander’s career, his 382 strikeouts in 335.2 innings of work helped him post a 26-8 record and a 2.04 ERA on his way to winning his second of three career Cy Young awards. Koufax’s success in 1965 continued into October where his Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins in a seven game World Series. Koufax would be named World Series MVP, striking out 29 batters in his three starts with an ERA of 0.38 in the series.
Randy Johnson
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Left
6-10, 225lb (208cm, 102kg)
Born: September 10, 1963 (Age: 60-257d) in Walnut Creek, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft from Livermore HS (Livermore, CA) and the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round of the 1985 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
High School: Livermore HS (Livermore, CA)
School: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
September 15, 1988
(Age 25-005d,
15,564th in major league history)
vs. PIT 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 SO, 3 BB, 2 ER, W
Last Game:
October 4, 2009
(Age 46-024d)
vs. SDP 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2015.
(Voted by BBWAA on 534/549 ballots)
View Randy Johnson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1989 season
Agents: Alan Nero, Barry Meister
Full Name: Randall David Johnson
Nicknames: Big Unit
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
101.1
303
166
3.29
618
603
2
4135.1
4875
1.171
Hall of Famer Randy Johnson saw his most strikeouts in a single season during the 2001 season, on his way to winning his third of four consecutive Cy Young awards. Johnson struck out 372 batters in 35 appearances, posting a MLB-leading 2.49 ERA on the year as well. Johnson’s Arizona Diamondbacks would win the World Series that year as well on the arms of Johnson and fellow ace Curt Schilling. The two were named co-MVPs after defeating the New York Yankees in seven games. Johnson struck out 19 batters in the series.
Nolan Ryan
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-2, 170lb (188cm, 77kg)
Born: January 31, 1947 (Age: 77-114d) in Refugio, TX us
Draft: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft from Alvin HS (Alvin, TX).
High School: Alvin HS (Alvin, TX)
Debut:
September 11, 1966
(Age 19-223d,
12,516th in major league history)
vs. ATL 2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER
Last Game:
September 22, 1993
(Age 46-234d)
vs. SEA 0.0 IP, 2 H, 0 SO, 4 BB, 5 ER, L
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1999.
(Voted by BBWAA on 491/497 ballots)
View Nolan Ryan’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1968 season
Agents: Dick Moss
Full Name: Lynn Nolan Ryan
Nicknames: Ryan Express
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
81.3
324
292
3.19
807
773
3
5386.0
5714
1.247
How did Nolan Ryan follow up his single-season strikeout record-setting 1973 season? With 367 Ks in 1974, the fourth-most strikeouts in a single season in the modern era. Although the Angels once again finished with an abysmal 68-94 record, Ryan still managed a 20+ win season, going 22-16 in 41 starts. Ryan certainly had to work for his 367 strikeouts, he faced a Major League-leading 1392 batters in 332.2 innings of work, another Major League leader. Ryan finished third in Cy Young voting that year.
Randy Johnson
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Left
6-10, 225lb (208cm, 102kg)
Born: September 10, 1963 (Age: 60-257d) in Walnut Creek, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft from Livermore HS (Livermore, CA) and the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round of the 1985 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
High School: Livermore HS (Livermore, CA)
School: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
September 15, 1988
(Age 25-005d,
15,564th in major league history)
vs. PIT 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 SO, 3 BB, 2 ER, W
Last Game:
October 4, 2009
(Age 46-024d)
vs. SDP 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2015.
(Voted by BBWAA on 534/549 ballots)
View Randy Johnson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1989 season
Agents: Alan Nero, Barry Meister
Full Name: Randall David Johnson
Nicknames: Big Unit
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
101.1
303
166
3.29
618
603
2
4135.1
4875
1.171
In 1999, his first season with the Diamondbacks, Randy Johnson struck out 364 batters over 271.2 innings in 35 starts, leading the MLB in all categories. Johnson won his first of four consecutive Cy Youngs with the DBacks, one of only two pitchers in MLB history to do so. Johnson’s 2.48 ERA and 12.1 SO9 were also NL-best marks that season. Unlike Nolan Ryan above, who pitched well on a poor team, Johnson’s pitching turned the Diamondbacks into a 100-win club in only their second season in existence, with Johnson going 17-9 in decisions.
Bob Feller
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-0, 185lb (183cm, 83kg)
Born: November 3, 1918 in Van Meter, IA us
Died: December 15, 2010 (Aged 92-042d) in Cleveland, OH
Buried: Gates Mills – North Cemetery, Gates Mills, OH
High School: Van Meter HS (Van Meter, IA)
Debut:
July 19, 1936
(Age 17-259d,
8,035th in major league history)
vs. WSH 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 SO, 2 BB, 0 ER
Last Game:
September 30, 1956
(Age 37-332d)
vs. DET 9.0 IP, 14 H, 0 SO, 3 BB, 8 ER, L
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1962.
(Voted by BBWAA on 150/160 ballots)
View Bob Feller’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1936 season
Full Name: Robert William Andrew Feller
Nicknames: Rapid Robert or Heater from Van Meter
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Cousin of Hal Manders
Career
63.4
266
162
3.25
570
484
22
3827.0
2581
1.316
In 1946 righthander Bob Feller struck out 348 batters for the Cleveland Indians. Feller started 48 games, completing 36 of them, the most in the MLB in both categories. He went 26-15 with an ERA of 2.18 giving up only 277 hits for a H9 average of 6.7. Despite Feller’s 26 wins, Cleveland finished the 1946 season with a 68-86 mark, good for sixth in the AL. 1946 was Feller’s best season strikeout-wise by a large margin. His second-most strikeouts in a single season came during his 1940 triple crown year when he struck out 261 batters, a difference of 87 Ks.
Randy Johnson
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Left
6-10, 225lb (208cm, 102kg)
Born: September 10, 1963 (Age: 60-257d) in Walnut Creek, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft from Livermore HS (Livermore, CA) and the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round of the 1985 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
High School: Livermore HS (Livermore, CA)
School: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
September 15, 1988
(Age 25-005d,
15,564th in major league history)
vs. PIT 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 SO, 3 BB, 2 ER, W
Last Game:
October 4, 2009
(Age 46-024d)
vs. SDP 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2015.
(Voted by BBWAA on 534/549 ballots)
View Randy Johnson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1989 season
Agents: Alan Nero, Barry Meister
Full Name: Randall David Johnson
Nicknames: Big Unit
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
101.1
303
166
3.29
618
603
2
4135.1
4875
1.171
Randy Johnson’s strikeout run at the turn of the 21st century is unparalleled. He struck out at least 300 batters in five consecutive seasons, including the 347 during the 2000 season, his third-most strikeouts in a single season and good for seventh all-time on the MLB single-season strikeout record. Johnson also finished the 2000 season with a 19-7 record, a 2.64 ERA and a 12.6 SO9, propelling him to his second of four consecutive Cy Youngs. While Arizona finished 85-77 and missed the 2000 postseason, they would go on to win the World Series the following year.
Nolan Ryan
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-2, 170lb (188cm, 77kg)
Born: January 31, 1947 (Age: 77-114d) in Refugio, TX us
Draft: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft from Alvin HS (Alvin, TX).
High School: Alvin HS (Alvin, TX)
Debut:
September 11, 1966
(Age 19-223d,
12,516th in major league history)
vs. ATL 2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER
Last Game:
September 22, 1993
(Age 46-234d)
vs. SEA 0.0 IP, 2 H, 0 SO, 4 BB, 5 ER, L
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1999.
(Voted by BBWAA on 491/497 ballots)
View Nolan Ryan’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1968 season
Agents: Dick Moss
Full Name: Lynn Nolan Ryan
Nicknames: Ryan Express
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
81.3
324
292
3.19
807
773
3
5386.0
5714
1.247
At the age of 30 in 1977, Nolan Ryan struck out 341 batters for the California Angels in 299 innings, averaging 1.14 Ks per inning. He posted a 19-16 record in 37 starts and an MLB-leading 22 complete games. Ryan faced 1,272 total batters during the 1977 season and while he walked 204 of them (also leading the majors) he averaged six H9. Ryan finished third that season in the ever-elusive Cy Young voting process.
Randy Johnson
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Left
6-10, 225lb (208cm, 102kg)
Born: September 10, 1963 (Age: 60-257d) in Walnut Creek, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft from Livermore HS (Livermore, CA) and the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round of the 1985 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
High School: Livermore HS (Livermore, CA)
School: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
September 15, 1988
(Age 25-005d,
15,564th in major league history)
vs. PIT 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 SO, 3 BB, 2 ER, W
Last Game:
October 4, 2009
(Age 46-024d)
vs. SDP 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2015.
(Voted by BBWAA on 534/549 ballots)
View Randy Johnson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1989 season
Agents: Alan Nero, Barry Meister
Full Name: Randall David Johnson
Nicknames: Big Unit
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
101.1
303
166
3.29
618
603
2
4135.1
4875
1.171
Appearing once again on our list of players with the highest single-season record for strikeouts is Randy Johnson, who threw the ninth-most strikeouts in a single season during the modern era in the 2002 season. No World Series hangover for Johnson in ‘02 as he struck out 334 batters over 260 innings. Johnson finished the season with a career high 24 wins and only five losses across 35 starts and a 2.32 ERA. Johnson also won his fourth consecutive and fifth overall Cy Young Award in 2002 in dominant fashion with a unanimous share of first-place votes.
Randy Johnson
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Left
6-10, 225lb (208cm, 102kg)
Born: September 10, 1963 (Age: 60-257d) in Walnut Creek, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft from Livermore HS (Livermore, CA) and the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round of the 1985 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
High School: Livermore HS (Livermore, CA)
School: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
September 15, 1988
(Age 25-005d,
15,564th in major league history)
vs. PIT 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 SO, 3 BB, 2 ER, W
Last Game:
October 4, 2009
(Age 46-024d)
vs. SDP 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2015.
(Voted by BBWAA on 534/549 ballots)
View Randy Johnson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1989 season
Agents: Alan Nero, Barry Meister
Full Name: Randall David Johnson
Nicknames: Big Unit
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
101.1
303
166
3.29
618
603
2
4135.1
4875
1.171
Major League Baseball’s strikeout kings, Randy Johnson and Nolan Ryan are tied for 10th all-time on the top 10 players with the most strikeouts in a single season with 329. Johnson achieved this mark in 1998, the season before he signed with the Diamondbacks. During the ‘98 campaign Johnson pitched for both the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros, racking up 213 Ks for Seattle and 116 with the Astros.
Nolan Ryan
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-2, 170lb (188cm, 77kg)
Born: January 31, 1947 (Age: 77-114d) in Refugio, TX us
Draft: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft from Alvin HS (Alvin, TX).
High School: Alvin HS (Alvin, TX)
Debut:
September 11, 1966
(Age 19-223d,
12,516th in major league history)
vs. ATL 2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER
Last Game:
September 22, 1993
(Age 46-234d)
vs. SEA 0.0 IP, 2 H, 0 SO, 4 BB, 5 ER, L
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1999.
(Voted by BBWAA on 491/497 ballots)
View Nolan Ryan’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1968 season
Agents: Dick Moss
Full Name: Lynn Nolan Ryan
Nicknames: Ryan Express
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
81.3
324
292
3.19
807
773
3
5386.0
5714
1.247
Nolan Ryan struck out 329 batters in his breakout 1972 season with the Angels, his first with the club. He posted a 19-16 record that year and was named an All Star for the first of eight times in his career. Ryan also posted a 2.28 ERA and allowed just 5.3 H9 over 284 total innings.
The single-season strikeout record in the post-dead ball era was set in 1973 by Nolan Ryan who struck out 383 batters for the California Angels. Going back across all eras, the most strikeouts ever in MLB history belongs to Matt Kilroy, whose 513 strikeouts for the 1886 Baltimore Orioles is the all-time MLB single-season strikeout record.
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