League Leaders Who Led?

MLB 3,000 Strikeout Club

Every pitcher with at least 3,000 career strikeouts.

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20 players have reached the 3,000 Strikeout Club. Nolan Ryan leads with 5,714 strikeouts. The most recent to join was Clayton Kershaw, in 2025.

Closest active players

Not there yet
  1. Chris Sale 2,769 231 to go
  2. Gerrit Cole 2,368 632 to go
  3. Kevin Gausman 2,125 875 to go
  4. Sonny Gray 2,065 935 to go
  5. Aaron Nola 2,041 959 to go

Members

20 players
# Player Career SO W ERA Joined
1 Nolan Ryan Nolan Ryan 1966–1993 5,714 324 3.19 1980
2 Randy Johnson Randy Johnson 1988–2009 4,875 303 3.29 2000
3 Roger Clemens Roger Clemens 1984–2007 4,672 354 3.12 1998
4 Steve Carlton Steve Carlton 1965–1988 4,136 329 3.22 1981
5 Bert Blyleven Bert Blyleven 1970–1992 3,701 287 3.31 1986
6 Tom Seaver Tom Seaver 1967–1986 3,640 311 2.86 1981
7 Don Sutton Don Sutton 1966–1988 3,574 324 3.26 1983
8 Justin Verlander Justin Verlander 2005–2026 active 3,554 266 3.33 2019
9 Max Scherzer Max Scherzer 2008–2026 active 3,540 223 3.29 2021
10 Gaylord Perry Gaylord Perry 1962–1983 3,534 314 3.11 1978
11 Walter Johnson Walter Johnson 1907–1927 3,509 417 2.17 1923
12 Greg Maddux Greg Maddux 1986–2008 3,371 355 3.16 2005
13 Phil Niekro Phil Niekro 1964–1987 3,342 318 3.35 1984
14 Fergie Jenkins Fergie Jenkins 1965–1983 3,192 284 3.34 1982
15 Pedro Martinez Pedro Martinez 1992–2009 3,154 219 2.93 2007
16 Bob Gibson Bob Gibson 1959–1975 3,117 251 2.91 1974
17 Curt Schilling Curt Schilling 1988–2007 3,116 216 3.46 2006
18 CC Sabathia CC Sabathia 2001–2019 3,093 251 3.74 2019
19 John Smoltz John Smoltz 1988–2009 3,084 213 3.33 2008
20 Clayton Kershaw Clayton Kershaw 2008–2025 3,052 223 2.53 2025