Today, I pulled out a 2024 Topps Big League card of Miles Mikolas, Cardinals pitcher. In the bio, it mentioned how he ranks 51st all-time in best BB/9.

I was curious to see how Mikolas was doing since his 2023 season. The 36-year-old now ranks 47th all-time.

On the baseball-reference page, it shows a collage of the all-time BB/9 leaders. Check out all these old B&W photos, and then it has just three color photos.

Who is in the color photos?

• 18th: Josh Tomlin (2010-2021)
• 21st: Dan Quisenberry (1979-1990)
• 23rd: Bob Tewksbury (1986-1998)

I didn’t know Dan Quisenberry was so good at not walking batters.

In case you are wondering, Greg Maddux is at #53 on the list. The only other active player than Miles Mikolas in the top 100 is 31-year-old Zach Eflin at #63.

Also, Mikolas’ BB/9 wasn’t always good in his career. His first two full seasons, it was 4.2 and 2.8 (to compare, the league median for BB/9 in 2024 was 2.43). After these two seasons, he pitched in Japan for three years (2015 to 2017). He came back and was the BB/9 superstar with 1.3, 1.6, 2.2, 1.7, 1.7, and 1.3.

https://www.57hits.com/top-20-bb-9

#BobTewksbury #DanQuisenberry #GregMaddux #JoshTomlin #MilesMikolas #ZachEflin