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Mason Miller struck out nearly half the hitters he faced in 2026

Only seven qualified relievers struck out a third of the hitters they faced in 2026, the fewest since 2010, led by Mason Miller's 47.4%.

Seven qualified relievers struck out at least 33% of the batters they faced in 2026, half as many as in 2025 and the fewest since six did it in 2010. Over the last decade the club ran 11 in 2016, 15 in 2017, 15 in 2018, 24 in 2019, 30 in the 60-game 2020 season, 14 in 2021, 17 in 2022, 12 in 2023, 18 in 2024 and 14 in 2025.

Strikeout rate (K%) is strikeouts divided by batters faced, and these are the 147 relievers who met FanGraphs' qualifying standard. Mason Miller led at 47.4% and Mason Montgomery was second at 37.7%, so it was a very good year to be a reliever named Mason. Andrés Muñoz was third at 37.1%. None of the seven is a free agent this winter.

Mason Miller, RP — San Diego Padres: 47.4% strikeout rate

Nearly half the hitters Miller faced walked back to the dugout without putting the ball in play. He struck out 129 in 70 innings, saved 38 games with a 1.67 ERA, and led all qualified relievers in K%, K-BB% (37.9%), FIP (1.17) and fWAR (3.7). He was second in Win Probability Added (4.56) and fourth in batting average against (.152). His strikeout rate has climbed three straight years, from 41.8% in 2024 to 44.4% in 2025 to 47.4%, the eighth-highest ever by a qualified reliever and the highest since Edwin Díaz's 50.2% in 2022. San Diego went 91-71, swept the Cubs in the Wild Card Series and lost to Milwaukee in four games in the Division Series.

Mason Montgomery, RP — Pittsburgh Pirates: 37.7% strikeout rate

In his first qualified season, the left-hander struck out 97 in 63⅔ innings and ranked third among relievers in K-BB% (28.8%). He saved 18 games, added nine holds, posted a 3.11 ERA and ranked eighth in Win Probability Added (2.86). The Pirates finished 82-80 and missed the playoffs.

Andrés Muñoz, RP — Seattle Mariners: 37.1% strikeout rate

Muñoz's strikeout rate was the second-best of his career, behind 38.7% in 2022, and his third season above 33%. He ranked fifth in K-BB% (27.1%) and saved 28 games, but the results didn't follow: a 4.24 ERA against a 3.34 FIP, and a negative Win Probability Added. Seattle holds an $8 million club option on him for 2027. The Mariners finished 76-86.

Cade Smith, RP — Cleveland Guardians: 36.3% strikeout rate

Smith topped 33% for the third straight season and turned it into the most valuable relief season in baseball by Win Probability Added, leading all relievers at 4.83. He saved 41 games with a 1.95 ERA, struck out 107 in 74 innings, and ranked fourth in K-BB% (28.5%), fifth in fWAR (2.6) and eighth in FIP (2.18). Cleveland won the AL Central at 85-77, beat the White Sox in the Division Series and lost to Tampa Bay in the ALCS.

Jhoan Duran, RP — Philadelphia Phillies: 35.6% strikeout rate

Duran set a career high in strikeout rate, topping the 33.5% he posted in 2022, and was second only to Miller in both K-BB% (31.4%) and FIP (1.41). He saved 33 games with a 1.82 ERA and ranked third in fWAR (2.9). The Phillies went 88-74 and lost to Atlanta in three games in the Wild Card Series.

Jeff Hoffman, RP — Minnesota Twins: 34.9% strikeout rate

Hoffman split the season between Toronto (51 games) and Minnesota (20), set a career high in strikeout rate and ranked 10th in K-BB% (24.7%). He struck out 102 in 66 innings with 22 holds, six saves and a 3.55 ERA. Neither the Blue Jays (79-83) nor the Twins (77-85) made the playoffs.

Aroldis Chapman, RP — Boston Red Sox: 33.3% strikeout rate

At 38, Chapman is still throwing smoke at an age when most pitchers are throwing out first pitches. This was his 13th season with a 33% strikeout rate as a qualified reliever, the most in history; Craig Kimbrel is next with 10. He joins Billy Wagner (2010), Koji Uehara (2013) and David Robertson (2024) as the only qualified relievers to reach 33% at 38 or older. Chapman saved 35 games with a 1.92 ERA and ranked 10th in Win Probability Added (2.78). Boston went 87-75 and lost to the Yankees in the Wild Card Series.