Nationals' MacKenzie Gore chasing MLB history only done 19 times

MacKenzie Gore is flying a bit under the radar, but the Washington Nationals starting pitcher is having a dominant start to the 2025 MLB season.

The left-hander has finally lived up to his long-awaited top prospect pedigree.

Gore has made 11 starts this season, and he has struck out 36.3% of the batters he has faced.

That has added up to 93 strikeouts in 62.1 innings, a 13.42 K/9 rate.

And according to MLB.com, it puts Gore on pace for 295 strikeouts this season.

Only 19 players have ever put up a 300-strikeout season.

Gore would have to pick up the pace even a bit more, which might be tough after he exited his most recent start with an injury.

But if he's healthy, Gore clearly has the stuff to make a run at 300 Ks.

MORE: Yankees' Aaron Judge on pace to break insane Babe Ruth 1921 record

The last chase for 300 was Spencer Strider in 2023, when he ended up with 281 strikeouts for the Atlanta Braves.

Two pitchers reached 300 Ks in 2019, when Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander did it as Astros teammates. Before that, lefty Chris Sale reached the mark in 2017.

Gore might not get there, but the fact that he's even in the conversation is quite astounding.

MORE MLB NEWS:

• Guardians' new pitcher beat cancer, now living out MLB dream
• Something is wrong with Jose Altuve
• Paul Goldschmidt putting up 'slow-pitch softball numbers'
• Rockies infielder threw his glove at the ball and is lucky he didn't hit it
• Dodgers' five-man infield saves the day
• Max Fried joins Pedro Martinez in MLB history