![Justin Verlandet has led the American League in strikeouts five times. [Image Source: Flickr | Larry Syverson]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/5/6/660x290/b_502x220x82/justin-verlandet-has-led-the-american-league-in-strikeouts-five-times-image-source-flickr-larry-syverson_2259601.jpg "Justin Verlandet has led the American League in strikeouts five times. [Image Source: Flickr | Larry Syverson]")
On April 30, New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia joined an exclusive list by becoming the 17th pitcher to strikeout at least 3,000 hitters.
He is the only active pitcher to achieve the feat for now. Here are the next six active pitchers after Sabathia on the career strikeout list. The career strikeout leaders were taken from Baseball Reference.
Justin Verlandet - 2,766 strikeouts
Verlander led the American League in strikeouts for the fifth time last season with 290. He already has tallied another 60 in his first eight starts of 2019. Now 36 years old, he looks as if he may be able to reach 3,000 strikeouts early next season.
Max Scherzer - 2,511 strikeouts
The National League leader in strikeouts each of the last three seasons, Scherzer leads once again with 62 punch outs in seven starts. Barring injury, Scherzer (turns 35 on July 27) could reach the historic feat late in 2020.
Felix Hernandez 2,496 strikeouts
It's hard to believe Hernandez is just 33 years old, but without a renaissance back to his glory days, he may fade out before reaching 3,000. He has mowed down eight hitters in each of his last two starts though but totaled just 325 from 2016-2018. According to CBS Sports, he is in line to start Monday against the New York Yankees.
Zack Greinke - 2,481 strikeouts
Turning 36 years old on October 21, Greinke is under contract until 2021. He has 50 strikeouts in his first eight starts of 2019 and had 199 in 2018.
Cole Hamels - 2,452 strikeouts
Hamels will turn 36 years old on December 27 and will see his contract run out after this season. He is scheduled to start Monday against the Marlins and has struck out 37 batters in his first six starts this year.
Clayton Kershaw - 2,302 strikeouts
While he has been plagued with injuries at times over the past few seasons, Kershaw is easily the youngest on this list as he is just 31 years old. The three-time National League leader in strikeouts has 27 in four starts this year.
