Jim Abbott vs. Ryota Igarashi — Career Comparison

Jim Abbott built a career as a starting pitcher and Ryota Igarashi as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Ryota Igarashi posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 6.41 and WHIP 1.849 compared to 20.25 and 3.750 for Jim Abbott. By the career numbers, Ryota Igarashi had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.