Those interested in massive offensive numbers, look away. MLB as a whole set a record in May for the most strikeouts in a calendar month, totaling 6,726 to best the previous record of 6,591 set in September 2015, per ESPN Stats & Info.
The biggest culprit on that front was the Milwaukee Brewers, who were sat down via the strikeout 291 times in the month, followed by the Houston Astros (277), the New York Mets (272) and the Tampa Bay Rays (264). Surprisingly—or perhaps not—the Brewers were also first in walks (123), with the Astros second (116) in the category.
On the individual front, Brewers first baseman Chris Carter led the way with 43, with Orioles first baseman Chris Davis close behind at 42. Of players with 40 or more plate appearances, Houston Astros outfielder Carlos Gomez recorded the highest strikeout percentage (45.3), and Brewers outfielder Domingo Santana was right behind him at 45.2 percent.
On the flip side, the pitchers doing the most damage to opposing lineups were Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw (65 strikeouts), Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer (60) and Miami Marlins righty Jose Fernandez (56)—all strong candidates to make the National League All-Star team.
As for relievers, Padres southpaw Brad Hand managed a whopping 27 strikeouts in 14 May appearances (18 innings), followed by 22-year-old Astros right-hander Michael Feliz, who fanned 26 batters over just 16.2 innings in May.
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