anyone know offhand if there is a TSQL function similar to COALESCE but instead of it returning the first non-null value it returns the largest value in the series?

What version of SQL Server? 2016+

SELECT MAX(value) AS maxValue
FROM STRING_SPLIT('10,13,15,8,2', ',')

2019 but a db in 2008 r2 compat. will give it a try, thanks

Yeah, it will need to be in 2016+ compat mode.

RIP for having to deal with 2008 compat

it's like having a brand new car that runs on leaded gas