Craig Kimbrel vs David Robertson: Career Stats Comparison
Craig Kimbrel has the better career line of the two, leading 5 of the 6 scored categories on this page (10 further counting totals are shown but not scored). Craig Kimbrel has played 2010–present as a pitcher; David Robertson played 2008–2025 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
Craig Kimbrel (2010–present) and David Robertson (2008–2025) — they debuted in the 2010s and the 2000s respectively and share 16 seasons. Craig Kimbrel has 57 wins and 1,322 strikeouts through the 2026 season; David Robertson finished with 68 wins and 1,176 strikeouts. The table below sets out their careers line by line.
Quick answer
- Who leads the career comparison? Craig Kimbrel, in 5 of the 6 scored categories.
- Who had more saves? Craig Kimbrel, with 441 to David Robertson's 179.
- Who had the better ERA? Craig Kimbrel, with 2.69 to David Robertson's 2.93.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Craig Kimbrel, with 1,322 to David Robertson's 1,176.
- Who had the better WHIP? Craig Kimbrel, with 1.04 to David Robertson's 1.16.
- Who struck out more batters per nine innings? Craig Kimbrel, with 13.71 to David Robertson's 11.83.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? Craig Kimbrel, with 30,928 career Pitcher PIV to David Robertson's 25,283.
Craig Kimbrel
David Robertson
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. 6 of the 16 lines below are scored; the other 10 are shown but not scored. Both worked mainly in relief, so saves and strikeouts are scored and wins, complete games and shutouts are not. Games, starts and innings measure playing time, and losses, walks and hits allowed track how long someone pitched, so they are left unmarked, as is any line where both players are at zero. 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 | Craig Kimbrel | David Robertson |
|---|---|---|
| Wins not scored | 57 | 68 |
| Losses not scored | 53 | 46 |
| Games not scored | 897 | 881 |
| Games Started not scored | 0 | 1 |
| Complete Games not scored | 0 | 0 |
| Shutouts not scored | 0 | 0 |
| Saves | Leads: 441 | 179 |
| Strikeouts | Leads: 1,322 | 1,176 |
| Walks not scored | 368 | 365 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 532 | 674 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 79 | 81 |
| Innings Pitched not scored | 867.2 | 894.1 |
| ERA | Leads: 2.69 | 2.93 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.04 | 1.16 |
| K/9 | Leads: 13.71 | 11.83 |
| BB/9 | 3.82 | Leads: 3.67 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Craig Kimbrel leads David Robertson 30,928 to 25,283 — driven by per-season impact — 1,819 PIV per season to 1,487 — rather than by longevity, since Craig Kimbrel played 17 seasons to David Robertson's 17. PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by ERA among qualified workloads (40+ innings).
Craig Kimbrel — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
David Robertson — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
Craig Kimbrel leads 5 of the 6 scored categories on the head-to-head card: saves, strikeouts, ERA, WHIP, and others. David Robertson leads 1: walks per nine. Both are scored as relievers. On the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Craig Kimbrel. PIV agrees: Craig Kimbrel grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Craig Kimbrel and David Robertson careers compare
Craig Kimbrel and David Robertson were active at the same time between 2010 and 2025. With 897 games against 881 across 17 and 17 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. David Robertson's edges on the table are walks per nine (3.67 to 3.82). By rate, Craig Kimbrel struck out 13.71 and walked 3.82 per nine innings; David Robertson struck out 11.83 and walked 3.67. Both had the same role: Craig Kimbrel worked mostly in relief (0 starts in 897 games, 441 saves); David Robertson worked mostly in relief (1 starts in 881 games, 179 saves). Craig Kimbrel allowed fewer baserunners, a 1.04 WHIP to David Robertson's 1.16. Craig Kimbrel's totals run through the 2026 season.
Craig Kimbrel vs David Robertson: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Craig Kimbrel or David Robertson?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Craig Kimbrel leads David Robertson in 5 of the 6 scored categories.
- Who had more saves?
- Craig Kimbrel, with 441 to David Robertson's 179.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Craig Kimbrel, with 2.69 to David Robertson's 2.93.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Craig Kimbrel, with 1,322 to David Robertson's 1,176.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Craig Kimbrel, with 1.04 to David Robertson's 1.16.