STRIKEOUT RECORDS FOR HITTERS

Major League Baseball Records for Strikeouts | Baseball Almanac

Baseball Almanac is pleased to present a record book full of baseball records for strikeouts — including career strikeout records, single season strikeout plateaus and game related strikeout records.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"I'm human and I've played my butt off for ten years. I'm not a loafer, I'm not a jerk, I'm a baseball player." - Reggie Jackson (American League career leader for strikeouts)

Strikeout Records for Hitters

Career Strikeout Records for Hitters

Fewest Strikeouts
In A Career
AL Joe Sewell Cleveland 99 114
New York 15
NL Lloyd Waner Pittsburgh 167 173
Boston 0
Cincinnati 0
Philadelphia 6
Brooklyn 0
Most Strikeouts
In A Career | Top 1,000
AL Reggie Jackson Kansas City 46 2,597
Oakland 1,180
Baltimore 108
New York 573
California 690
NL Willie Stargell Pittsburgh 1,936 1,936

Strikeout Records for Hitters

Single Season Strikeout Records for Hitters

Fewest Strikeouts
League Leader | Full Season
AL Jimmie Foxx Philadelphia 66 1930
Ed Morgan Cleveland 1930
NL Ducky Holmes Baltimore 58 1899
Fewest Strikeouts
In A Season
AL Joe Sewell Cleveland 4 1925
Joe Sewell Cleveland 1929
NL Charlie Hollocher Chicago 5 1922
Fewest Strikeouts
In A Season | Lefthander
AL Joe Sewell Cleveland 4 1925
Joe Sewell Cleveland 1929
NL Charlie Hollocher Chicago 5 1922
Fewest Strikeouts
In A Season | Righthander
AL Lou Boudreau Cleveland 9 1948
Stuffy McInnins Boston 1921
NL Emil Verban Philadelphia 8 1947
Fewest Strikeouts
In A Season | Rookie
AL Tom Oliver Boston 25 1930
NL Buddy Hassett Brooklyn 17 1936
Fewest Strikeouts
In A Season | Switch-Hitter
AL Buck Weaver Chicago 23 1920
NL Frankie Frisch St. Louis 10 1927
Most Strikeouts
In A Season | Top 500
AL Adam Dunn Chicago 222 2012
NL Mark Reynolds Arizona 223 2009
Most Strikeouts
In A Season | Lefthander
AL Adam Dunn Chicago 222 2012
NL Adam Dunn Washington 199 2010
Ryan Howard Philadelphia 199 2007
Ryan Howard Philadelphia 199 2008
Most Strikeouts
In A Season | Righthander
AL Chris Carter Houston 212 2013
NL Mark Reynolds Arizona 223 2009
Most Strikeouts
In A Season | Rookie
AL Aaron Judge New York 208 2017
NL Kris Bryant Chicago 199 2015
Most Strikeouts
In A Season | Switch-Hitter
AL Yoan Moncada Chicago 217 2018
NL Danny Espinosa Washington 189 2012
Most Consecutive Strikeouts
In Consecutive Games
(Consecutive Plate Appearences)
AL Dean Chance California 11 07-24-1965 (1)
07-30-1965 (2)
08-04-1965 (3)
08-09-1965 (4)
08-13-1965 (1)
NL Sandy Koufax Brooklyn 12 06-24-1955 (1)
07-06-1955 (2)
08-27-1955 (3)
09-03-1955 (2)
09-11-1955 (3)
09-15-1955 (1)

Most Consecutive Strikeouts
In Consecutive Games
(Consecutive Plate Appearences)

[Positional Players / Non-Pitcher]

AL Steve Balboni Kansas City 9 08-20-1984 (2)
08-21-1984 (3)
08-22-1984 (4)
Reggie Jackson Oakland 07-06-1987 (1)
07-08-1987 (3)
07-09-1987 (4)
07-11-1987 (1)
Bo Jackson Kansas City 09-16-1988 (3)
09-17-1988 (2)
09-19-1988 (4)
Yoan Moncada Boston 09-05-2016 (3)
09-06-2016 (4)
09-09-2016 (1)
09-12-2016 (1)
NL Adolfo Phillips Chicago 9 06-08-1966 (2)
06-10-1966 (5)
06-11-1966 (2)
Eric Davis Cincinnati 04-24-1987 (4)
04-25-1987 (5)
Mark Reynolds Arizona 08-18-2007 (1)
08-19-2007 (2)
08-20-2007 (4)
08-21-2007 (2)
Most Consecutive Strikeouts
In Consecutive Games
(Non-Consecutive Plate Appearences)
AL Jim Hannan Washington 13 07-24-1968 (4)
07-29-1968 (2)
08-03-1968 (3)
08-08-1968 (3)
08-13-1968 (1)
NL Mike Thurman Montreal 15 07-24-1998 (1)
07-30-1998 (1)
08-04-1998 (1)
08-09-1998 (1)
08-15-1998 (1)
08-17-1998 (0)
08-20-1998 (3)
08-25-1998 (2)
08-30-1998 (2)
09-05-1998 (2)
09-10-1998 (1)
Most Consecutive Seasons
Leading a League | Yearly Leaders
AL Reggie Jackson Oakland 4 1968 - 1971
NL Vince DiMaggio Boston / Pittsburgh 4 1942 - 1945
Juan Samuel Philadelphia 1984 - 1987
Hack Wilson Chicago 1927 - 1930
ML Mark Reynolds Arizona [NL] 4 2008 - 2010
Baltimore [AL] 2011 - 2011
Most Seasons
Leading a League | Yearly Leaders
AL Jimmie Foxx Philadelphia 7 1929
Philadelphia 1930
Philadelphia 1931
Philadelphia 1933
Philadelphia 1935
Boston 1936
Boston 1941
NL Vince DiMaggio Boston

6

1937
Boston 1938
Pittsburgh 1942
Pittsburgh 1943
Pittsburgh 1944
Pittsburgh 1945

Strikeout Records for Hitters

Game Specific Strikeout Records for Hitters

Most Games
With No Strikeouts
Consecutively
AL Joe Sewell Cleveland 115 05-19-1929
09-19-1929
NL Lloyd Waner Pittsburgh 77 04-24-1941
Boston 09-16-1941
Most Games in a Career
With 4+ Strikeouts
AL Reggie Jackson Kansas City 1 23
Oakland 10
Baltimore 0
New York 7
California 5
NL Ryan Howard Philadelphia 27 27

Most Games in a Season
With 4+ Strikeouts

Bold = League Record

AL Joey Gallo Texas 6 06-17-2018
Texas 07-11-2018
Texas 09-04-2018
Texas 09-08-2018
Texas 09-24-2018
Texas 09-26-2018
Reggie Jackson Oakland 5 04-07-1971
Oakland 04-21-1971
Oakland 05-18-1971
Oakland 06-04-1971
Oakland 09-21-1971
Bobby Darwin Minnesota 05-12-1972
Minnesota 06-23-1972
Minnesota 07-14-1972
Minnesota 08-06-1972
Minnesota 08-10-1972
Bo Jackson Kansas City 04-18-1987
Kansas City 06-03-1987
Kansas City 06-20-1987
Kansas City 07-18-1987
Kansas City 08-17-1987
NL Dick Allen Philadelphia 7 04-13-1968
Philadelphia 05-01-1968
Philadelphia 05-09-1968
Philadelphia 06-29-1968
Philadelphia 07-16-1968
Philadelphia 07-21-1968
Philadelphia 08-19-1968

Most Strikeouts
In A Doubleheader

Bold = League Record

AL Aaron Judge New York (Gm 1) 8 06-04-2018
New York (Gm 2) 06-04-2018
Shea Hillenbrand Toronto (Gm 1) 7 09-27-2005
Toronto (Gm 2) 09-27-2005
Frank Howard Washington (Gm 1) 07-09-1965
Washington (Gm 2) 07-09-1965
Bill Melton Chicago (Gm 1) 07-24-1970
Chicago (Gm 2) 07-24-1970
Dave Nicholson Chicago (Gm 1) 06-12-1963
Chicago (Gm 2) 06-12-1963
Pat Seerey Chicago (Gm 1) 07-24-1948
Chicago (Gm 2) 07-24-1948
NL Mike Vail New York (Gm 1) 7 09-26-1975
New York (Gm 2) 09-26-1975
Most Strikeouts
In A 9-Inning Game
AL Bob Allison Minnesota 5 09-02-1965
Alex Avila Chicago 09-24-2016
Jake Bauers New York 08-13-2023
Danny Bautista Detroit 05-28-1995
Bo Bichette Toronto 08-15-2021
Phil Bradley Baltimore 09-07-1989
Johnny Broaca New York 06-25-1934
Don Buford Baltimore 08-26-1971
Jake Burger Chicago 05-23-2023
Jose Canseco Oakland 07-16-1997
Matt Chapman Oakland 09-05-2020
Michael Chavis Boston 08-18-2020
Gerrit Cole Houston 05-04-2018
Matt Davidson Chicago 05-30-2017
Rob Deer Milwaukee 08-08-1987
Larry Doby Cleveland 04-25-1948
Edwin Encarnacion New York 06-29-2019
Dustin Fowler Oakland 07-09-2018
Lefty Grove Philadelphia 06-10-1933
Bill Hall Seattle 09-05-2009
Bob Hamelin Kansas City 05-24-1995
John Hicks Detroit 04-14-2019
Frank Howard Washington 09-19-1970
Bo Jackson Kansas City 04-18-1987
Reggie Jackson Oakland 09-27-1968
John Jaha Oakland 04-20-2000
Ray Jarvis Boston 04-20-1969
Daniel Johnson Cleveland 05-02-2021
Aaron Judge New York 06-04-2018
Aaron Judge New York 05-05-2021
Chet Laabs Detroit 10-02-1938
Jim Landis Chicago 07-28-1957
Jeffrey Leonard Milwaukee 08-24-1988
Brandon Lowe Tampa Bay 04-24-2023
Rick Manning Cleveland 05-15-1977
Joey Meyer Milwaukee 09-20-1988
Yoan Moncada Chicago 04-02-2021
Rick Monday Oakland 04-29-1970
Craig Monroe Detroit 06-14-2007
Salvador Perez Kansas City 08-19-2018
Andy Phillips New York 05-02-2005
Phil Plantier Boston 10-01-1991
Colby Rasmus Houston 07-06-2016
Alex Rios Toronto 07-29-2006
Alex Rios Toronto 06-04-2009
Anthony Rizzo New York 07-30-2023
David Ross Boston 05-25-2013
Danny Santana Texas 08-28-2019
Justin Smoak Texas 06-13-2010
Giancarlo Stanton New York 04-03-2018
Jim Thome Cleveland 04-09-2000
Ramón Urías Baltimore 04-01-2023
Bernie Williams New York 08-21-1991
NL Dick Allen Philadelphia 5 06-28-1964
Javier Baez Chicago 07-25-2017
Javier Baez Chicago 05-27-2019
Javier Baez New York 08-05-2021
Tony Batista Montreal 08-31-2004
Bert Blyleven Pittsburgh 07-27-1979
Jay Bruce Cincinnati 08-28-2014
Pat Burrell Philadelphia 09-16-2008
Mike Cameron San Diego 09-12-2007
Curt Casali San Francisco 06-03-2022
Bryan De La Cruz Miami 04-27-2023
Delino DeShields Montreal 09-17-1991
Pete Dowling Louisville 08-15-1899
Adam Dunn Cincinnati 08-20-2002
Avisail Garcia Milwaukee 04-21-2021
Carlos Gonzalez Colorado 07-18-2014
Bob Harmon St. Louis 07-07-1911
Clay Hensley San Diego 05-14-2006
Jason Heyward Atlanta 06-04-2010
Jonathan India Cincinnati 09-11-2022
Andruw Jones Atlanta 05-20-2007
Dave Kingman New York 05-28-1982
DJ LeMahieu Colorado 08-03-2015
Ted Lilly Chicago 06-30-2008
Pepe Mangual Montreal 08-11-1975
Starling Marte Pittsburgh 04-18-2013
Andrew McCutchen Philadelphia 08-21-2021
Max Muncy Los Angeles 03-30-2023
Tyler Naquin New York 08-19-2022
Roman Quinn Philadelphia 09-24-2016
Scott Rolen Philadelphia 08-23-1999
Bill Russell Los Angeles 06-09-1971
Bob Sadowski Milwaukee 04-20-1964
Richie Sexson Milwaukee 05-29-2001
Geovany Soto Chicago 04-26-2008
Trevor Story Colorado 05-26-2019
Bryson Stott Philadelphia 04-16-2022
Darryl Strawberry Los Angeles 05-01-1991
Eugenio Suarez Cincinnati 08-15-2018
Dansby Swanson Chicago 04-14-2023
Ron Swoboda New York 06-22-1969
Frank Taveras New York 05-01-1979
Michael Taylor Washington 06-22-2016
LaMonte Wade Jr. San Francisco 05-26-2023
Oscar Walker Buffalo 06-20-1879
Steve Whitaker San Francisco 04-14-1970
Preston Wilson Houston 04-17-2006
Pep Young Pittsburgh 09-29-1935
Most Strikeouts
In A Game
Extra Innings
AL Cecil Cooper Boston 6 06-14-1974
15 Innings
Billy Cowan California 07-09-1971
20 Innings
Alex Gonzalez Toronto 09-09-1998
13 Innings
Sam Horn Baltimore 07-17-1991
15 Innings
Rick Reichardt California 05-31-1966
17 Innings
Carl Weilman St. Louis 07-25-1913
15 Innings
NL Don Hoak Chicago 6 05-02-1956
17 Innings
Geoff Jenkins Milwaukee 06-08-2004
17 Innings
Strikeout Records for Hitters | Research by Baseball Almanac
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baseball almanac fast facts

The most times an American League pitcher struck out during a single season was 65 times set in 1972, by Wilbur Wood of the Chicago White Sox. In the National League it was 62 times, set in 1968, by Jerry Koosman of the New York Mets.

The Major League record for most strikeouts during a players first game ever is four. Those who have worn a "golden sombrero" and entered this record book during their debut are: Billy Sunday (May 22, 1883), Hercules Burnett (June 26, 1888), George Goetz (June 17, 1889), Rollie Naylor (September 14, 1917), Lee Bales (August 7, 1966), and Sam Ewing (September 11, 1973).

Reggie Jackson, the all-time strikeout leader, also holds the Major League record for most seasons with at least one-hundred strikeouts — he has eighteen of them during his hall of fame career!

Did you know that from 1952 through 1962, Nellie Fox led the league in fewest strikeouts for a player appearing in at least one-hundred fifty games?