Strikeouts (Pitching) K

K stands for strikeouts in baseball. Batters a pitcher struck out — the one outcome that needs no help from the fielders behind him.

How K is calculated

K/9 = 9 × K ÷ IP, the rate version used to compare starters with relievers.

ESPN, and therefore this database, labels a pitcher’s strikeouts K; SO in a pitching line means something else on some sites and SO in a batting line is the batter striking out. Reading either column as the other is the most common baseball data mistake.

What counts as a good K?

Half of the 559 qualified MLB players in 2026 were at or below 57. Clearing 140.2 put a season in the top tenth of the league.

Median
57
Top 10%
140.2
Leader
252

By position, the median was 115 for SP and 41 for RP.

Qualified: 10+ games, non-zero, 2026 regular season.

Strikeouts (Pitching) questions