As described in detail below, the disclosed embodiments include a rotating compressor valve having stationary front and rear plates (e.g., guards) and a rotating plate configured to rotate relative to the stationary front and rear plates. The stationary front and rear plates and the rotating plate all include a plurality of slots which, when aligned, allow a process fluid (e.g., natural gas) to flow through the rotating compressor valve. In certain embodiments, the slots of the rotating plate include an arc radius that is smaller than an arc radius of the slots of the stationary front and rear plates.