Youngest pitchers to throw no-hitter in MLB’s live ball era
LOS ANGELES (BVM) – On May 10, Los Angeles Angels rookie starting pitcher Reid Detmers etched his name into the MLB history books by turning in the 316th no-hitter in league history, becoming the 12th Angels pitcher to throw one and the youngest to do so in franchise history. At 22 years and 306 days old, Detmers became the youngest pitcher in over 15 years to throw a no-no, the youngest since the then-Florida Marlins pitcher Aníbal Sánchez did so in 2006.
While efficient from the bump, Detmers accomplished the no-no with only two strikeouts becoming just the second pitcher in the past 42 seasons to throw a no-hitter without notching more than a pair of strikeouts. Perhaps even more impressively, Detmers only had 10 starts prior to the game, making him the 17th pitcher in MLB history to throw a no-no with 10 or fewer career starts.
All 27 outs from tonight's no-hitter#GoHalos pic.twitter.com/0Xv0ie6xWi
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) May 11, 2022
Given his youth at the time of the feat, many have wondered who else has been able to throw a no-hitter at such a young age. Here are the 10 youngest to do so.
Editor’s Note: The no-hitters considered in this list are from the MLB’s live ball era only (1920 and forward) thanks to the progression of offensive play. While there may be younger players from the dead ball era, the pitchers were at a distinct advantage at the time and are thus not considered. All facts were gathered from Baseball-almanac.com.
1. Vida Blue, Oakland Athletics (Age: 21 years, 55 days)
The youngest player to ever pitch a no-hitter, Blue was one walk away from a perfect game in this gem against the visiting Minnesota Twins. In nine innings, Blue struck out nine while sacrificing just the one walk with no runs scored and no hits allowed in the Athletics’ 6-0 victory on Sept. 21, 1970 to seal his place in history with the league’s 177th no-hitter.
2. Bob Feller, Cleveland Indians (Age: 21 years, 165 days)
Feller and his teammates were not nearly as efficient as Blue, but that didn’t stop him from making history. Despite giving up five walks and his defense committing an error, Feller was able to keep the Chicago White Sox hitless, striking out eight in the Indians’ 1-0 victory on April 16, 1940. It marked no-hitter No. 109 in MLB history.
3. Bud Smith, St. Louis Cardinals (Age: 21 years, 315 days)
The most modern game on this list, Smith threw this gem on the road against the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium. Smith recorded seven strikeouts and four walks to earn his fourth win of the season in the Cardinals’ 4-0 victory on Sept. 3, 2001. His no-hitter was No. 251 in MLB history.
4. Bob Moose, Pittsburgh Pirates (Age: 21 years, 346 days)
Perhaps with the coolest last name on this list, Moose had this performance in a strong season for the Pirates, earning his 12th win of the season in the 4-0 victory over the New York Mets on Sept. 20, 1969. Moose only struck out six and walked three, but he was able to keep the batters off balance and unable to record a hit, marking no-hitter No. 173 in MLB history.
5. James “Catfish” Hunter, Oakland Athletics (Age: 22 years, 30 days)
From Moose to Catfish, Hunter gets the distinction of having the lone perfect game on this list. In the May 8, 1968 contest against the Minnesota Twins, Hunter was phenomenal, striking out 11 batters on his way to perfection in the Athletics’ 4-0 win. This marked no-hitter No. 164 and just the ninth perfect game in MLB history.
6. Paul Dean, St. Louis Cardinals (Age: 22 years, 38 days)
The oldest performance on this list, Dean threw this no-no back on Sept. 21, 1934 against the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the 3-0 Cardinals win, Dean was one walk away from perfection as he struck out six and walked one in the contest. This outing was no-hitter No. 103 in MLB history.
7. Burt Hooton, Chicago Cubs (Age: 22 years, 69 days)
Hooton amazingly finished this game with as many walks as he had strikeouts, seven apiece, but was somehow able to keep the Philadelphia Phillies off the board and out of the hit column. With his performance on the mound, the Cubs were able to win the contest comfortably 4-0 on April 16, 1972. The no-hitter marked No. 181 in MLB history.
8. Juan Nieves, Milwaukee Brewers (Age: 22 years, 100 days)
Still the lone individual no-hitter in franchise history, Nieves recorded no-hitter No. 216 in MLB history with this gem. Nieves finished the game with seven strikeouts and five walks as the Brewers handled the host Baltimore Orioles with ease in the 7-0 victory on April 15, 1987.
1988 Press Photo Brewers Baseball S Juan Nieves Pitches During A Game
9. Don Wilson, Houston Astros (Age: 22 years, 126 days)
Wilson, one could argue, had the most dominant no-hitter on this list. Although he gave up three walks, he was also able to strike out a whopping 15 batters when his Astros went up against the Atlanta Braves on June 18, 1967. Houston would win the game 2-0 and Wilson earned MLB no-hitter No. 160.
10. Mike Warren, Oakland Athletics (Age: 22 years, 187 days)
The third Athletics pitcher on this list, Warren earned his latest for Oakland during a game against the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 29, 1983. Warren struck out five batters and walked three in the A’s eventual 3-0 win. Warren’s no-hitter was No. 211 in MLB history.
