StatVault

MLB Compilers vs Comets

Two careers can end with the same total value — one stacked in a few meteoric seasons (a Comet), the other ground out over a long career (a Compiler). Neither is better; they are different shapes of greatness. Peak-share makes the shape a number: best-3-season VAL ÷ career VAL.

VAL-based and distinct from the NFL production-based version. High share = front-loaded (Comet); low share = sustained (Compiler). Qualifying floor: ≥6seasons and a career at or above this sport's 70th-percentile career VAL (81.8). 1,729 careers qualify. Value shown is peak-share as a percentage.

Comets — Concentrated Peaks

peak-share %

A few towering seasons carried the career.

Showing 30 of 40 ranked entries.

  1. 1Lefty O'DoulLF · 8 seasons · career 85.1 VAL · peak-3 52.762
  2. 2Benny KauffCF · 7 seasons · career 97 VAL · peak-3 56.959
  3. 3Yordan AlvarezDH · 7 seasons · career 89.3 VAL · peak-3 49.856
  4. 4Kris BryantDH · 10 seasons · career 82.3 VAL · peak-3 45.756
  5. 5Vladimir Guerrero Jr.1B · 8 seasons · career 92.8 VAL · peak-3 50.554
  6. 6Mike DonlinLF · 12 seasons · career 100.6 VAL · peak-3 54.354
  7. 7Al Rosen3B · 7 seasons · career 101.8 VAL · peak-3 54.153
  8. 8Bobby TolanOF · 11 seasons · career 82.6 VAL · peak-3 43.453
  9. 9Ronald Acuña Jr.RF · 9 seasons · career 94.3 VAL · peak-3 49.252
  10. 10Ripper Collins1B · 9 seasons · career 88.3 VAL · peak-3 45.451
  11. 11Charlie MaxwellLF · 11 seasons · career 82.6 VAL · peak-3 42.251
  12. 12Jason BayLF · 10 seasons · career 92.9 VAL · peak-3 47.451
  13. 13Josh HamiltonCF · 9 seasons · career 96.9 VAL · peak-3 49.451
  14. 14Glenn Davis1B · 9 seasons · career 87.7 VAL · peak-3 44.551
  15. 15Larry JansenP · 9 seasons · career 84.9 VAL · peak-3 42.750
  16. 16Jim Ray Hart3B · 9 seasons · career 94.2 VAL · peak-3 47.250
  17. 17Dizzy DeanP · 9 seasons · career 98.9 VAL · peak-3 49.450
  18. 18Mike EaslerLF · 9 seasons · career 82 VAL · peak-3 40.750
  19. 19Shohei OhtaniTWP · 9 seasons · career 127 VAL · peak-3 6350
  20. 20Mort CooperP · 9 seasons · career 84.3 VAL · peak-3 41.449
  21. 21Rusty GreerLF · 9 seasons · career 83.2 VAL · peak-3 40.849
  22. 22Mario SotoP · 10 seasons · career 82.8 VAL · peak-3 40.449
  23. 23Leon Durham1B · 8 seasons · career 88.6 VAL · peak-3 43.249
  24. 24Ozzie Albies2B · 9 seasons · career 84.3 VAL · peak-3 41.149
  25. 25Liam HendriksP · 11 seasons · career 87 VAL · peak-3 42.349
  26. 26Chad GreenP · 10 seasons · career 82.3 VAL · peak-3 4049
  27. 27Tim BurkeP · 8 seasons · career 86.5 VAL · peak-3 4249
  28. 28Buck FreemanRF · 8 seasons · career 99.5 VAL · peak-3 48.349
  29. 29Stan SpenceOF · 9 seasons · career 86.9 VAL · peak-3 42.148
  30. 30Damaso MarteP · 10 seasons · career 81.8 VAL · peak-3 39.548

Compilers — Sustained Careers

peak-share %

Value spread evenly across a long career — longevity as greatness.

Showing 30 of 40 ranked entries.

  1. 1Hank AaronRF · 23 seasons · career 382.5 VAL · peak-3 62.916
  2. 2Nolan Ryan Jr.P · 26 seasons · career 265.1 VAL · peak-3 43.616
  3. 3Roger ClemensP · 24 seasons · career 260.8 VAL · peak-3 43.917
  4. 4Don SuttonP · 21 seasons · career 223 VAL · peak-3 39.818
  5. 5Cy YoungP · 22 seasons · career 268.2 VAL · peak-3 47.918
  6. 6Greg MadduxP · 21 seasons · career 238.2 VAL · peak-3 42.818
  7. 7Pete Rose1B · 23 seasons · career 259.3 VAL · peak-3 46.718
  8. 8Willie MaysCF · 22 seasons · career 345.8 VAL · peak-3 6318
  9. 9Tommy JohnP · 24 seasons · career 186.3 VAL · peak-3 34.318
  10. 10Barry BondsLF · 21 seasons · career 355.3 VAL · peak-3 65.618
  11. 11Charlie HoughP · 23 seasons · career 195.6 VAL · peak-3 36.219
  12. 12Al KalineRF · 22 seasons · career 270.4 VAL · peak-3 50.519
  13. 13John FrancoP · 21 seasons · career 219.9 VAL · peak-3 41.119
  14. 14Tom GlavineP · 22 seasons · career 203.8 VAL · peak-3 38.319
  15. 15Dave WinfieldRF · 22 seasons · career 273.4 VAL · peak-3 51.419
  16. 16Dennis EckersleyP · 24 seasons · career 264.2 VAL · peak-3 49.819
  17. 17Mariano RiveraP · 19 seasons · career 255.9 VAL · peak-3 48.319
  18. 18Ty CobbCF · 24 seasons · career 361.8 VAL · peak-3 68.619
  19. 19Stan MusialOF · 21 seasons · career 324.7 VAL · peak-3 6219
  20. 20Warren SpahnP · 20 seasons · career 240.6 VAL · peak-3 4619
  21. 21Phil NiekroP · 23 seasons · career 234.7 VAL · peak-3 45.119
  22. 22Dennis MartinezP · 22 seasons · career 178 VAL · peak-3 34.319
  23. 23Mel OttRF · 21 seasons · career 291.3 VAL · peak-3 56.419
  24. 24Carl YastrzemskiLF · 23 seasons · career 307.7 VAL · peak-3 6020
  25. 25Eddie Murray1B · 20 seasons · career 265.7 VAL · peak-3 52.420
  26. 26Jamie MoyerP · 25 seasons · career 174.1 VAL · peak-3 34.420
  27. 27Albert Pujols1B · 22 seasons · career 307 VAL · peak-3 60.720
  28. 28Reggie JacksonRF · 21 seasons · career 284.5 VAL · peak-3 56.620
  29. 29Rafael Palmeiro1B · 19 seasons · career 257.3 VAL · peak-3 51.520
  30. 30Walter JohnsonP · 21 seasons · career 286.9 VAL · peak-3 57.620