Being one of the Toronto Blue Jays with the most strikeouts in a season doesn’t guarantee a pitcher was among the BetMGM online sportsbook favourites to win the Cy Young.
There are award winners on this list, but several were never serious contenders.
Who Has the Most Strikeouts in a Single Season for the Toronto Blue Jays?
| Rank | Pitcher | Year | Strikeouts |
| 1 | Roger Clemens | 1997 | 292 |
| 2 | Roger Clemens | 1998 | 271 |
| 3 | Robbie Ray | 2021 | 248 |
| 4 | Kevin Gausman | 2023 | 237 |
| 5 | A.J. Burnett | 2008 | 231 |
| 6 | Roy Halladay | 2009 | 208 |
| 7 | Roy Halladay | 2008 | 206 |
| 8 | Kevin Gausman | 2022 | 205 |
| 9 | Roy Halladay | 2003 | 204 |
| 10 | Brandon Morrow | 2011 | 203 |
1. Roger Clemens — 292 (1997)
The 1997 version of Roger Clemens shattered Dave Stieb’s previous franchise record of 198 strikeouts in a season.
Clemens won the Triple Crown and led the big leagues in bWAR in 1997. It is one of the greatest pitching seasons in MLB history.
2. Roger Clemens — 271 (1998)
A year after striking out 292 batters, Clemens led the AL with 271 strikeouts.
It was back-to-back Cy Young Awards for Clemens.
3. Robbie Ray — 248 (2021)
Robbie Ray won the Cy Young in his only full season as a Blue Jay.
Ray arrived in Toronto as a high-upside arm. He had struggled with command and durability, but he put it all together in 2021.
4. Kevin Gausman — 237 (2023)
Kevin Gausman’s 237 strikeouts in 2023 place him second in Blue Jays history for strikeouts per nine innings.
Gausman’s big fastball and tumbling splitter consistently kept hitters off balance.
5. A.J. Burnett — 231 (2008)
A.J. Burnett led the American League in strikeouts in 2008.
Burnett only posted a 4.07 ERA and finished the season with 2.4 bWAR across 221.1 innings.
6. Roy Halladay — 208 (2009)
Roy Halladay had three seasons between 204 and 208 strikeouts as a Blue Jay.
The 2009 campaign was his final year in Toronto and his highest strikeout tally as a Jay.
7. Roy Halladay — 206 (2008)
Despite being worth more bWAR in 2009, the 2008 season saw Halladay post a better AL Cy Young finish.
Halladay finished runner-up to Cliff Lee after leading the majors in WHIP and the AL in innings.
8. Kevin Gausman — 205 (2022)
After signing as a free agent in the 2021-22 offseason, Gausman led the AL in strikeout-to-walk ratio and FIP.
His 205 strikeouts ranked fifth among all American League pitchers.
9. Roy Halladay — 204 (2003)
Halladay won his first Cy Young Award in 2003.
He led the American League in bWAR, innings, and strikeout-to-walk ratio.
10. Brandon Morrow — 203 (2011)
Brandon Morrow led the AL in strikeouts per nine innings in 2011.
His ERA was 10% worse than league average, but he posted a 3.64 FIP.
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