Since 2014, every year, a starting pitcher has led the league in strikeouts. However, interestingly, relief pitchers can strike out many more hitters—especially fireballing closers and relief pitchers. An interesting question: Who has led the league in strikeouts in the last decade among relievers?
Dominant Strikeout Relievers In Last Decade
Dellin Betances- 2014, 2015, and 2016
Not many pitchers can do what Dellin Betances did in three years. Without starting a game, Betances led the league in strikeouts for three years straight among relievers. Not only did he do well in those three seasons, he did terrific. Betances three years were dominant:
2014: 1.40 ERA, 135 K’s, 24 BB’s,
2015: 1.50 ERA, 131 K’s, 40 BB’s
2016: 3.08 ERA, 126 K’s, 26 BB’s
Betances did not do as well in 2016 as he had in previous years. However, he struck out many batters every season, and in 2014 and 2015, he was the most helpful relief pitcher. Betances did well in 2017 and 2018 (albeit with less K’s). Unfortunately, he fell off a cliff after a 2019 injury full season and a terrible time in Queens, which saw him strike out just 13, walk 14, and have an ERA above 7 in 2020 and 2021.
Craig Kimbrel- 2017
Craig Kimbrel already ranks among the most impressive closers ever. With 440 and only 59 blown saves, he shows precisely what a closer wants to be. However, besides his saves, Kimbrel has managed to strike out many hitters. 2017 Kimbrel led all relievers with 126 strikeouts, 14 walks, and a 1.43 ERA. In short, it was likely one of the best seasons for a closer ever.
Josh Hader- 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
Josh Hader hasn’t been the most dominant pitcher despite leading relievers in strikeouts 40% of the time since 2014. However, Hader still managed to get starter-like K numbers in his career.
2018: 143 K’s
2019: 138 K’s
2021: 102 K’s
2024: 105 K’s
This shows Hader was a dazzling closer who probably had an almost incomprehensible strikeout ability. Over those seasons, only 2021 saw him become a fantastic reliever with a 1.23 ERA. However, there is NO denying that Hader is one of the best strikeout pitchers in the league, and maybe even ever. Please put this in perspective: Nolan Ryan once pitched 333 Innings in one season of his career and recorded 367 K’s with 222 walks. In Hader’s first 333 Innings, he struck out over 600 batters.
Devin Williams- 2020
In the shortened 2020 season, Devin Williams looked like a monster. In 22 games pitched, Williams struck out 53 with a 0.33 ERA. It is safe to say that Williams certainly wouldn’t have had such an ERA through more games. However, Williams was nonetheless dazzling in 2020.
Edwin Diaz- 2022
Edwin Diaz’s 2022 season as a closer was even better than Kimbrel in 2017. In 2022, Diaz somehow struck out 118 in just 62 innings pitched. He also had a 1.31 ERA. Combined with his walk-out song, Diaz quickly had the most exciting relief year ever by any closer. Diaz also walked just 18 with 32 saves and only three blown saves.
Felix Bautista- 2023
Felix Bautista had a fantastic 2023 season. In 2023, the closer struck out 110 in 61 innings pitched with a 1.48 ERA and 33 saves. Bautista did blow six saves; however, he remained a nasty pitcher. Bautista came out of nowhere in 2022, at age 26, when he first began pitching in the big leagues with the Baltimore Orioles.
Overall, relief pitchers have gotten great at striking out hitters. This list shows this. Striking out hitters doesn’t always mean a great ERA. However, it shows their talent.
Main Image: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
