StatVault

MLB Clutch Delta

Who actually raises their level in October — and who shrinks? Clutch Delta subtracts each player's mean regular-season VAL from their mean postseason VAL, using the same per-season metric for both.

Positive = elevates in October; negative = regresses. Small postseason samples are shrunk toward zero (empirical-Bayes, K=4) so a two-series hot streak doesn't outrank a decade of Januaries. Qualifying floor: ≥3 regular seasons and ≥3 postseasons. 1,644 players qualify. VAL is per-postseason-run; roles without box-score counting stats are honestly excluded upstream.

Risers — Postseason Ascenders

clutch delta (+VAL)

Players who out-perform their regular-season selves in October.

Showing 30 of 157 ranked entries.

  1. 1Martín MaldonadoC · reg 2.7 → PO 7.3 · 6 runs2.7
  2. 2Enrique Hernández1B · reg 5.2 → PO 8.9 · 10 runs2.6
  3. 3Lenny DykstraCF · reg 7.8 → PO 14 · 3 runs2.6
  4. 4Mark Lemke2B · reg 4.3 → PO 8.7 · 5 runs2.5
  5. 5Scott Brosius3B · reg 6.4 → PO 11.4 · 4 runs2.5
  6. 6Jim LeyritzC · reg 3.8 → PO 8.4 · 4 runs2.3
  7. 7Rafael BelliardSS · reg 1.5 → PO 5.6 · 5 runs2.3
  8. 8Brian R. Hunter1B · reg 3.5 → PO 7.7 · 3 runs1.8
  9. 9Chris TaylorCF · reg 5.4 → PO 8.2 · 8 runs1.8
  10. 10Eric BruntlettSS · reg 1.6 → PO 5.2 · 4 runs1.8
  11. 11Carlos CorreaSS · reg 8.4 → PO 11.1 · 7 runs1.7
  12. 12Christian VázquezC · reg 3.2 → PO 6.6 · 4 runs1.7
  13. 13Clay Bellinger3B · reg 1.5 → PO 5.5 · 3 runs1.7
  14. 14Bengie MolinaC · reg 5.9 → PO 9.1 · 4 runs1.6
  15. 15Cristian PacheOF · reg 0.7 → PO 4.4 · 3 runs1.6
  16. 16David Bell3B · reg 5.4 → PO 9.2 · 3 runs1.6
  17. 17Travis d'ArnaudC · reg 4.7 → PO 7.2 · 7 runs1.6
  18. 18Allen Craig1B · reg 6.5 → PO 9.9 · 3 runs1.5
  19. 19Rick DempseyC · reg 4.4 → PO 8 · 3 runs1.5
  20. 20Roberto PérezC · reg 2.6 → PO 6.2 · 3 runs1.5
  21. 21Sandy Alomar Jr.C · reg 4.2 → PO 7 · 5 runs1.5
  22. 22Steve YeagerC · reg 4.1 → PO 6.4 · 6 runs1.4
  23. 23Billy Martin2B · reg 4.8 → PO 7.2 · 5 runs1.3
  24. 24Daniel Descalso2B · reg 4.5 → PO 6.9 · 5 runs1.3
  25. 25Dave HendersonCF · reg 8.2 → PO 10.8 · 4 runs1.3
  26. 26Jason VaritekC · reg 7 → PO 8.9 · 7 runs1.3
  27. 27Joc PedersonDH · reg 7.8 → PO 9.9 · 7 runs1.3
  28. 28Mike MathenyC · reg 3.6 → PO 6.7 · 3 runs1.3
  29. 29Orlando PalmeiroLF · reg 3.2 → PO 6.1 · 3 runs1.3
  30. 30Shane VictorinoCF · reg 7.2 → PO 9.3 · 6 runs1.3

Fallers — Postseason Regressors

clutch delta (−VAL)

Players whose level drops when October arrives.

Showing 30 of 1,472 ranked entries.

  1. 1Lou Gehrig1B · reg 19.3 → PO 6.8 · 7 runs-8
  2. 2Billy WagnerP · reg 13.2 → PO 1 · 7 runs-7.8
  3. 3Babe RuthRF · reg 16.8 → PO 6 · 10 runs-7.7
  4. 4Joe DiMaggioCF · reg 16.2 → PO 6.1 · 10 runs-7.2
  5. 5Greg MadduxP · reg 11.3 → PO 2.6 · 13 runs-6.7
  6. 6Joe NathanP · reg 12 → PO 0.8 · 6 runs-6.7
  7. 7Barry BondsLF · reg 16.9 → PO 6.7 · 7 runs-6.5
  8. 8Mickey MantleCF · reg 15.9 → PO 7.2 · 12 runs-6.5
  9. 9Whitey FordP · reg 10.9 → PO 2 · 11 runs-6.5
  10. 10John SmoltzP · reg 11.1 → PO 3.3 · 14 runs-6.1
  11. 11Willie MaysCF · reg 15.7 → PO 4.7 · 5 runs-6.1
  12. 12Jeff Bagwell1B · reg 14.7 → PO 4.8 · 6 runs-5.9
  13. 13Roger ClemensP · reg 10.9 → PO 3 · 12 runs-5.9
  14. 14Alex RodriguezSS · reg 14.1 → PO 6.6 · 12 runs-5.6
  15. 15Don DrysdaleP · reg 11.5 → PO 1.4 · 5 runs-5.6
  16. 16Mariano RiveraP · reg 13.5 → PO 6.4 · 16 runs-5.6
  17. 17Mike Schmidt3B · reg 15.2 → PO 6.1 · 6 runs-5.5
  18. 18Clayton KershawP · reg 10.2 → PO 3.2 · 13 runs-5.4
  19. 19Johnny Mize1B · reg 13.3 → PO 3.6 · 5 runs-5.4
  20. 20Craig KimbrelP · reg 10.1 → PO 2.5 · 9 runs-5.2
  21. 21Home Run Baker3B · reg 13.7 → PO 5.1 · 6 runs-5.2
  22. 22Steve CarltonP · reg 9.8 → PO 1.9 · 8 runs-5.2
  23. 23Christy MathewsonP · reg 13.5 → PO 3.2 · 4 runs-5.1
  24. 24Matt Olson1B · reg 11.8 → PO 3.3 · 6 runs-5.1
  25. 25Mike MussinaP · reg 10.2 → PO 2.8 · 9 runs-5.1
  26. 26Nolan Arenado3B · reg 11.6 → PO 1.4 · 4 runs-5.1
  27. 27Randy JohnsonP · reg 10.3 → PO 2.6 · 8 runs-5.1
  28. 28Jim PalmerP · reg 9.9 → PO 2.3 · 8 runs-5
  29. 29Josh HaderP · reg 11.1 → PO 2.7 · 6 runs-5
  30. 30Stan MusialOF · reg 15.5 → PO 5.4 · 4 runs-5