Keep in mind that WAR combines both hitting, fielding, and baserunning value, so these lists might look interesting…. and I’ve used baseball-reference.com’s numbers (Fangraph’s are different).

2006-2017
1 Jason Kipnis Covington ’06-7 2013 5.9
2 Jason Kipnis Covington ’06-7 2015 4.6
Dan Murphy Luray ’05 2016 4.6
4 Jason Kipnis Covington ’06-7 2016 4.1
5 Jason Kipnis Covington ’06-7 2012 4.0
6 Jon Jay Staunton ’04 2012 3.4
7 Dan Murphy Luray ’05 2011 3.0
8 Jon Jay Staunton ’04 2011 2.9
9 Jon Jay Staunton ’04 2014 2.8
Dan Murphy Luray ’05 2017 2.8
11 Collin Cowgill Covington ’05 2014 2.2

According to b-r, Jason Kipnis has 4 of the top 5 most valuable seasons since 2006. Murphy and Jay both appear 3 times, and Cowgill sneaks on the list for his 2014 season.

All-Time
1 Brett Gardner New Market ’03-04 2010 7.3
2 Chris Hoiles Harrisonburg 1993 6.8
3 Reggie Sanders Winchester ’87 1995 6.6
4 Jason Kipnis Covington ’06-7 2013 5.9
5 Steve Finley Harrisonburg ’85 1992 5.7
Steve Finley Harrisonburg ’85 1996 5.7
Aubrey Huff Staunton ’97 2010 5.7
8 Mo Vaughn Harrisonburg ’87 1996 5.6
Mo Vaughn Harrisonburg ’87 1998 5.6
10 David Eckstein Harrisonburg ’95-6 2002 5.2
11 Steve Finley Harrisonburg ’85 1991 5.1
12 Mike Lowell Waynesboro ’93 2007 5.0
13 Steve Finley Harrisonburg ’85 1999 4.9
Brandon Inge Waynesboro ’96 2006 4.9
Brett Gardner New Market ’03-04 2017 4.9
16 John Kruk New Market ’81 1991 4.7
John Kruk New Market ’81 1993 4.7
18 Gene Richards Harrisonburg 1980 4.6
Jason Kipnis Covington ’06-7 2015 4.6
Dan Murphy Luray ’05 2016 4.6

According to b-r, 5.0 WAR of better would be an All-Star, while 8.0 or better would equal an MVP. So there have been 12 hitters who have equaled that All-Star designation.

And the best season in history? Brett Gardner’s 2010, when he earned 3.3 WAR for his defense alone.

Feel free to show your incredulity or support in the comments…..