Randy Johnson Award 2023 – by G. Scott Thomas

The National League’s Cy Young Award winner, Blake Snell, piled up 234 strikeouts in 180 innings last season. That gave him an impressive ratio of 11.70 Ks per nine innings, second in the NL only to Atlanta’s Spencer Strider at 13.55.

But let’s hold on a minute.

Snell’s ratio leaves a misleading impression. He didn’t work nine innings — or even eight — in any of his 32 starts in 2023. He lasted seven innings on three occasions, and otherwise never went more than six.

So why is his strikeout rate expressed as a nine-inning ratio? Wouldn’t six make more sense?

The same questions apply to pitchers throughout the majors. Only 35 complete games were recorded in last year’s 2,430 big-league contests, rendering meaningless the nine-inning strikeout rate.

That’s why I’ve cut the ratio to six innings to determine the winners of 2023’s Randy Johnson Award, which is named after the famed fireballer who amassed 4,875 strikeouts between 1988 and 2009. Johnson recorded more than 250 strikeouts in nine different seasons, an accomplishment unmatched in big-league history. Not even by Walter Johnson or Nolan Ryan.

Strider emerged as the winner in the National League with an adjusted ratio of 9.03 Ks per six innings. His totals: 281 strikeouts in 186.2 innings. The American League’s honoree was Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays at 7.69 strikeouts per six.

Scroll down to see the 15 best SO/6 rates in each league. The rankings are confined to pitchers who qualified for the ERA title by working at least 162 innings.

Follow these links to see the previously announced 2023 awards named after these Hall of Famers: Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Nellie Fox, Rickey Henderson, and Juan Marichal.

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• 1. Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays, 7.69

• 2. Dylan Cease, White Sox, 7.25

• 3. Pablo Lopez, Twins, 7.24

• 4. Luis Castillo, Mariners, 6.67

• 5. Lucas Giolito, White Sox-Angels-Guardians, 6.64

• 6. Yusei Kikuchi, Blue Jays, 6.48

• 7. Gerrit Cole, Yankees, 6.37

• 8. Zach Eflin, Rays, 6.28

• 9. Framber Valdez, Astros, 6.06

• 10. Kyle Bradish, Orioles, 5.98

• 11. Sonny Gray, Twins, 5.97

• 12. Logan Gilbert, Mariners, 5.95

• 13. Cristian Javier, Astros, 5.89

• 14. Jose Berrios, Blue Jays, 5.82

• 15. JP Sears, Athletics, 5.61

• 1. Spencer Strider, Braves, 9.03

• 2. Blake Snell, Padres, 7.80

• 3. Freddy Peralta, Brewers, 7.61

• 4. Kodai Senga, Mets, 7.29

• 5. Jesus Luzardo, Marlins, 6.99

• 6. Charlie Morton, Braves, 6.72

• 7. Zack Wheeler, Phillies, 6.63

• 8. Mitch Keller, Pirates, 6.48

• 9. Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks, 6.32

• 10. Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, 6.29

• 11. Aaron Nola, Phillies, 6.26

• 12. Corbin Burnes, Brewers, 6.20

• 13. Justin Steele, Cubs, 6.09

• 14. Logan Webb, Giants, 5.39

• 15. Johan Oviedo, Pirates, 5.34