Okay, so he isn’t exactly the best ever, but he did strikeout the most batters among the first 100 he faced. Atlanta Braves relief pitcher, Craig Kimbrel, has struck out 46 batters of the first 100 he has faced since being brought up to the Majors last year by the organization (that’s 46% /math’d). The tracking of these numbers only go as far back as 1974. But the rate is better than Rogers Clemens, Randy Johnson, and and Curt Schilling, who were some of the best strikeout pitchers of the last 30 years.
Interestingly enough, a lot of the individuals that made the list are or ended their career in the bullpen. Not only that, most have spent time on the DL with arm issues shortly after breaking out in the Majors and were never the same after. Most notably is last years stud, Stephen Strasburg, who will miss all of this season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Here is the list according to Stats Inc:
PITCHER DEBUT YEAR, TEAM STRIKEOUTS/100 BATTERS Craig Kimbrel 2010, Braves 46 Stephen Strasburg 2010, Nationals 41 Joba Chamberlain 2007, Yankees 38 Pat Neshek 2006, Twins 38 Hideo Nomo 1995, Dodgers 37 Kerry Wood 1998, Cubs 37
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