If you walk into Citizens Bank Park today, you’ll see kids wearing Aaron Nola jerseys and older guys reminiscing about Steve Carlton’s slider. There’s a weird tension there. You have the modern era where strikeouts are basically a requirement for existence, and the old-school days where a "K" was just a nice bonus on top of a complete game.
Honesty time: most fans can name the big two, but the rest of the Phillies all time strikeout leaders list is a fascinating, messy mix of Hall of Fame legends and workhorses who just stuck around long enough to pile up some serious numbers.
The list changed forever on September 26, 2025. Aaron Nola, with that trademark knuckle-curve, fanned Edouard Julien of the Twins. That was number 1,872. With one swing and miss, Nola jumped over the legendary Robin Roberts to claim the number two spot. It was a massive moment, even if Nola looked like he just wanted to get back to the dugout and sit down.
The Untouchable Lefty: Steve Carlton
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Nobody is catching Steve Carlton. Period.
Carlton finished his Phillies career with 3,031 strikeouts. To put that in perspective, Nola—who has been remarkably durable—is still over a thousand whiffs behind him. Carlton was a different breed. In 1972, the guy won 27 games for a team that only won 59 total. He was essentially the entire franchise for a while.
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He threw a slider that people still talk about like it was a ghost story. It would start at a hitter’s hip and end up in the dirt, and even if you knew it was coming, you’d still flail at it. He didn't just strike people out; he embarrassed them. He logged nearly 500 starts in red pinstripes. In today's game, a guy with 500 starts would be considered an ancient relic.
The Modern Ace: Aaron Nola
The reason Nola’s ascent to the number two spot is so wild is the efficiency. Robin Roberts, the man he passed, threw over 3,700 innings for the Phillies. Nola passed him in roughly 1,700 innings.
That’s the "new" baseball for you.
Nola currently sits at 1,876 strikeouts. He’s the bridge between the two worlds. He isn't a power pitcher in the sense of a 100-mph heater, but his command is borderline surgical. He’s also the only guy on this list who has a real shot at making the 3,000-K club, though he’d likely need to pitch into his late 30s at a very high level to do it.
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The Mount Rushmore of Phils Pitching
Once you get past the top two, the names become a "Who’s Who" of different eras.
- Steve Carlton: 3,031
- Aaron Nola: 1,876
- Robin Roberts: 1,871
- Cole Hamels: 1,844
- Chris Short: 1,585
Robin Roberts was the ultimate workhorse. He didn't care about the strikeout as much as he cared about finishing what he started. He had 272 complete games. Let that sink in. Most modern pitchers don't have 272 starts in their whole career.
Then you have Cole Hamels. Honestly, seeing him at number four feels right. He was the MVP of the 2008 World Series and the heart of that golden era. His changeup was a thing of beauty—a "circle change" that pulled the string and left hitters looking like they were swinging underwater. He finished with 1,844 strikeouts in Philly before that emotional trade to Texas.
Why Zack Wheeler is the Dark Horse
If we're talking about the Phillies all time strikeout leaders, we have to mention Zack Wheeler. Even though he’s currently sitting at the bottom of the top 10 (he recently crossed the 1,000 mark for the franchise), his rate is terrifying.
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Wheeler averages over 10 strikeouts per nine innings. That’s the highest in franchise history. If he stays healthy through his current contract—which runs through 2027—he is going to rocket up this list. He’s already passed guys like Curt Simmons and Jim Bunning.
The Under-the-Radar Names
- Grover Cleveland Alexander: He’s 7th on the list with 1,409. If he’d played his whole career in Philly, he might be challenging Carlton.
- Curt Schilling: Before he was a Red Sox hero, he was a Phillie workhorse with 1,554 strikeouts.
- Chris Short: A lefty from the 60s who doesn't get enough love. 1,585 strikeouts is no joke.
The "K" Evolution
What most people get wrong about these rankings is comparing the eras fairly. When Robin Roberts was pitching, hitters were terrified of striking out. They’d choke up and just try to put the ball in play. Today? Hitters don't mind a 180-strikeout season if they hit 35 homers.
This shift has made it easier for guys like Nola and Wheeler to rack up numbers fast. But it also means they put more stress on their arms. We’ll likely never see another 3,000-K Phillie because of how carefully pitchers are managed now. Carlton’s record isn’t just a number; it’s a monument to an era of pitching that is basically extinct.
If you’re tracking these stats, the next big milestone to watch is Nola's hunt for 2,000. He’ll be the first right-hander in team history to hit that mark. It's going to be a "where were you" moment for the Philly faithful.
Next Steps for Fans
If you want to see these legends in action, the Phillies' official YouTube channel often posts "Classic Games" featuring Carlton's 1972 run and Hamels' 2008 dominance. Keeping an eye on the box scores this season is also a must—Wheeler and Nola are moving up the leaderboard with almost every start. You're watching history happen in real-time.