Jim Abbott vs. Lorenzo Barcelo — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Lorenzo Barcelo as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Lorenzo Barcelo posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.5 and WHIP 1.333 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Lorenzo Barcelo had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.