Heath Bell vs Brian Wilson: Career Stats Comparison
Heath Bell has the better career line of the two, leading 6 of the 12 scored categories on this page (4 further counting totals are shown but not scored). Heath Bell played 2004–2014 as a pitcher; Brian Wilson played 2006–2014 as a pitcher.
- ERA (Earned Run Average):
- Earned runs allowed per nine innings pitched: (ER × 9) ÷ IP. The primary measure of pitching effectiveness.
- W (Wins):
- Games credited to a pitcher whose team took a lead it never surrendered while he was the pitcher of record.
- SO (Strikeouts):
- For a batter, times retired on a third strike; for a pitcher, batters retired on a third strike.
- WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched):
- Baserunners allowed per inning: (BB + H) ÷ IP. Under 1.00 is elite.
Data updated
Heath Bell (2004–2014) and Brian Wilson (2006–2014) — both came up during the 2000s, so the matchup is a direct one. Heath Bell finished with 38 wins and 637 strikeouts; Brian Wilson finished with 24 wins and 407 strikeouts. The numbers below run them through identical career and rate-stat lenses.
Quick answer
- Who had the better ERA? Brian Wilson, with 3.30 to Heath Bell's 3.49.
- Who won more games? Heath Bell, with 38 to Brian Wilson's 24.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Heath Bell, with 637 to Brian Wilson's 407.
- Who had the better WHIP? Heath Bell, with 1.27 to Brian Wilson's 1.36.
- Who pitched more innings? Heath Bell, with 628.2 to Brian Wilson's 382.0.
- Who threw more shutouts? Neither — both are at 0.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? Heath Bell, with 16,481 career Pitcher PIV to Brian Wilson's 9,257.
Brian Wilson
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate. Cells highlighted in green mark the player who leads that line. Lower ERA, WHIP and BB/9 lead; higher K/9 leads. 12 of the 16 lines below are scored; the other 4 are counting totals on which fewer is not an achievement, so no one is awarded them. Totals where fewer is not an achievement -- losses, walks and hits allowed -- are left unmarked, because they track how long someone pitched rather than how well. Rate stats are not era-adjusted, so read them against the run environment each player worked in, or use the PIV card below, which is adjusted.
| Statistic | Heath Bell | Brian Wilson |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Leads: 38 | 24 |
| Losses not scored | 32 | 25 |
| Games | Leads: 590 | 394 |
| Games Started | 0 | 0 |
| Complete Games | 0 | 0 |
| Shutouts | 0 | 0 |
| Saves | 168 | Leads: 172 |
| Strikeouts | Leads: 637 | 407 |
| Walks not scored | 214 | 175 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 584 | 343 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 48 | 22 |
| Innings Pitched | Leads: 628.2 | 382.0 |
| ERA | 3.49 | Leads: 3.30 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.27 | 1.36 |
| K/9 | 9.12 | Leads: 9.59 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 3.06 | 4.12 |
PIV Comparison through 2025
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Heath Bell outpaces Brian Wilson 16,481 to 9,257 — driven by both sides of the ledger: 1,498 PIV per season to 1,029, across 11 seasons to 9. PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
PIV is computed through the 2025 season. The career totals on this page include 2026 to date, so PIV does not yet reflect the 2026 season.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by ERA among qualified workloads (120+ innings).
Heath Bell
No seasons meet the qualifying workload, so there is no peak-season list to show.
Brian Wilson
No seasons meet the qualifying workload, so there is no peak-season list to show.
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Heath Bell leads in wins, strikeouts, WHIP, and innings pitched, while Brian Wilson owns ERA and K/9. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Heath Bell. PIV agrees: Heath Bell grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Heath Bell and Brian Wilson careers compare
Heath Bell and Brian Wilson were active at the same time between 2006 and 2014. With 590 games against 394 across 11 and 9 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. Brian Wilson's edges on the table are saves (172 to 168), ERA (3.30 to 3.49), and strikeouts per nine (9.59 to 9.12). By rate, Heath Bell struck out 9.12 and walked 3.06 per nine innings; Brian Wilson struck out 9.59 and walked 4.12. Both had the same role: Heath Bell worked mostly in relief (0 starts in 590 games, 168 saves); Brian Wilson worked mostly in relief (0 starts in 394 games, 172 saves).
Heath Bell vs Brian Wilson: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Heath Bell or Brian Wilson?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Heath Bell leads Brian Wilson in 6 of the 12 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Brian Wilson, with 3.30 to Heath Bell's 3.49.
- Who won more games?
- Heath Bell, with 38 to Brian Wilson's 24.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Heath Bell, with 637 to Brian Wilson's 407.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Heath Bell, with 1.27 to Brian Wilson's 1.36.