His strikeout rate has decreased each year while his walk rate has actually gone up, though he still doesn't give up too many free passes — his current rate of 1.64 BB/9 is the seventh-lowest among qualified starters. Despite striking out fewer than seven batters per nine innings, Tanaka has been among the best starters in baseball. His strikeout rate is by far the lowest among the nine starters who have amassed at least 3.0 Wins Above Replacement, placing him in some good company.