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In baseball statistics, strikeout-to-walk ratio (K/BB) is a measure of a pitcher's ability to control pitches, calculated as strikeouts divided by bases on balls.
A hit by pitch is not counted statistically as a walk, and therefore not counted in the strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The inverse of this calculation is the related statistic for hitters, walk-to-strikeout ratio (BB/K).
A pitcher who possesses a great K/BB ratio is usually a dominant power pitcher, such as Randy Johnson, Pedro Martínez, Curt Schilling, or Mariano Rivera. However, in 2005, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Carlos Silva easily led the major leagues in K/BB ratio with 7.89:1, despite striking out only 71 batters over 188⅓ innings pitched; he walked only nine batters.[1]
Through 2022, the all-time career leaders among starting pitchers were Chris Sale (5.3333), Jacob de Grom (5.3036), and Tommy Bond (5.0363).[2]
Through May 22, 2019, the all-time career leaders among relievers were Koji Uehara (7.94), Sean Doolittle (6.41), and Roberto Osuna (6.33).[3]
The player with the highest single regular season K/BB ratio through 2022 was Minnesota Twins pitcher Phil Hughes in 2014, with a ratio of 11.625 (186 strikeouts and 16 walks).[4] He is followed by Bret Saberhagen (11.00 in 1994) and Cliff Lee (10.28 in 2010).[2]
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