Mark Appel vs. AJ Smith-Shawver — Career Comparison

AJ Smith-Shawver built a career as a starting pitcher and Mark Appel as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mark Appel posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 1.74 and WHIP 1.161 compared to 3.77 and 1.297 for AJ Smith-Shawver. By the career numbers, Mark Appel had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.