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MLB records

Most strikeouts in a season

Matt Kilroy, 513 in 1886.

Matt Kilroy struck out 513 for the Baltimore Orioles in 1886, the MLB record for strikeouts in a season. Since 1901 it is Nolan Ryan's 383 for the California Angels in 1973.

In 2026: Jacob Misiorowski (Milwaukee Brewers) led MLB with 252, 131 short of the modern record.

Most strikeouts in a season: the top 25

Rk
Player
SO
Year
1
Matt KilroyBaltimore Orioles
513
1886
2
Toad RamseyLouisville Colonels
499
1886
3
Hugh DailyWashington Nationals
483
1884
4
Dupee ShawDetroit Wolverines
451
1884
5
Old Hoss RadbournProvidence Grays
441
1884
6
Charlie BuffintonBoston Beaneaters
417
1884
7
Guy HeckerLouisville Colonels
385
1884
8
Nolan RyanCalifornia Angels
383
1973
9
Sandy KoufaxLos Angeles Dodgers
382
1965
10
Bill SweeneyBaltimore Monumentals
374
1884
11
Randy JohnsonArizona Diamondbacks
372
2001
12
Pud GalvinBuffalo Bisons
369
1884
13
Mark BaldwinColumbus Solons
368
1889
14
Nolan RyanCalifornia Angels
367
1974
15
Randy JohnsonArizona Diamondbacks
364
1999
16
Tim KeefeNew York Metropolitans
359
1883
17
Toad RamseyLouisville Colonels
355
1887
18
Rube WaddellPhiladelphia Athletics
349
1904
19
Bob FellerCleveland Indians
348
1946
20
Randy JohnsonArizona Diamondbacks
347
2000
21
Hardie HendersonBaltimore Orioles
346
1884
22
Mickey WelchNew York Gothams
345
1884
Jim WhitneyBoston Beaneaters
345
1883
24
Jim McCormickCincinnati Outlaw Reds
343
1884
25
Amos RusieNew York Giants
341
1890
Nolan RyanCalifornia Angels
341
1977

Since 1901

Rk
Player
SO
Year
1
Nolan RyanCalifornia Angels
383
1973
2
Sandy KoufaxLos Angeles Dodgers
382
1965
3
Randy JohnsonArizona Diamondbacks
372
2001
4
Nolan RyanCalifornia Angels
367
1974
5
Randy JohnsonArizona Diamondbacks
364
1999
6
Rube WaddellPhiladelphia Athletics
349
1904
7
Bob FellerCleveland Indians
348
1946
8
Randy JohnsonArizona Diamondbacks
347
2000
9
Nolan RyanCalifornia Angels
341
1977
10
Randy JohnsonArizona Diamondbacks
334
2002
11
Randy JohnsonHouston Astros
329
1998
Nolan RyanCalifornia Angels
329
1972
13
Nolan RyanCalifornia Angels
327
1976
14
Gerrit ColeHouston Astros
326
2019
15
Sam McDowellCleveland Indians
325
1965
16
Curt SchillingPhiladelphia Phillies
319
1997
17
Sandy KoufaxLos Angeles Dodgers
317
1966
18
Curt SchillingArizona Diamondbacks
316
2002
19
Walter JohnsonWashington Senators
313
1910
Pedro MartínezBoston Red Sox
313
1999
J.R. RichardHouston Astros
313
1979
22
Steve CarltonPhiladelphia Phillies
310
1972
23
Randy JohnsonSeattle Mariners
308
1993
Mickey LolichDetroit Tigers
308
1971
Chris SaleBoston Red Sox
308
2017

More than once in the top 25: Nolan Ryan 3 times, Randy Johnson 3 times and Toad Ramsey 2 times.

Every team's record

Atlanta BravesCharlie Buffinton, 1884 (Boston Beaneaters)
417
Los Angeles AngelsNolan Ryan, 1973 (California Angels)
383
Los Angeles DodgersSandy Koufax, 1965
382
Arizona DiamondbacksRandy Johnson, 2001
372
AthleticsRube Waddell, 1904 (Philadelphia Athletics)
349
Cleveland GuardiansBob Feller, 1946 (Cleveland Indians)
348
San Francisco GiantsMickey Welch, 1884 (New York Gothams)
345
Houston AstrosGerrit Cole, 2019
326
Pittsburgh PiratesEd Morris, 1886
326
Philadelphia PhilliesCurt Schilling, 1997
319
Chicago CubsWilliam Hutchinson, 1892 (Chicago Colts)
314
Boston Red SoxPedro Martínez, 1999
313
Minnesota TwinsWalter Johnson, 1910 (Washington Senators)
313
Detroit TigersMickey Lolich, 1971
308
Seattle MarinersRandy Johnson, 1993
308
Washington NationalsPedro Martínez, 1997 (Montreal Expos)
305
Texas RangersNolan Ryan, 1989
301
Toronto Blue JaysRoger Clemens, 1997
292
New York MetsTom Seaver, 1971
289
Chicago White SoxChris Sale, 2015
274
Cincinnati RedsMario Soto, 1982
274
St. Louis CardinalsBob Gibson, 1970
274
Milwaukee BrewersBen Sheets, 2004
264
New York YankeesGerrit Cole, 2022
257
San Diego PadresKevin Brown, 1998
257
Miami MarlinsJosé Fernández, 2016
253
Tampa Bay RaysChris Archer, 2015
252
Kansas City RoyalsDennis Leonard, 1977
244
Baltimore OriolesRube Waddell, 1908 (St. Louis Browns)
232
Colorado RockiesGermán Márquez, 2018
230

Each franchise's best season, including the years it played under another name or in another city.

Questions

What is the MLB record for strikeouts in a season?

513, by Matt Kilroy of the Baltimore Orioles in 1886. The record since 1901 is Nolan Ryan's 383 (1973).

Who led MLB in strikeouts in 2026?

Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers, with 252. That is 131 short of the record.

Who has the most seasons among the top 25 for strikeouts?

Nolan Ryan, 3 times (1973, 1974 and 1977).

Which team's own strikeouts record is the highest?

Atlanta Braves: Charlie Buffinton, 417 in 1884. The lowest club record belongs to the Colorado Rockies, 230 by Germán Márquez (2018).

Which numbers count?

Pitchers' strikeouts. MLB's official records, which since 2024 include the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1948.