Jim Abbott vs. Brad Thompson — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Brad Thompson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Brad Thompson led in walk avoidance (BB%+ 137 vs 95), home run suppression (HR9+ 117 vs 103), and run prevention (ERA+ 105 vs 92). Jim Abbott held the edge in strikeout rate (K%+ 81 vs 60). Keeping the role difference in mind, the edge still goes to Brad Thompson.