Ed Appleton vs. AJ Smith-Shawver — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Ed Appleton and AJ Smith-Shawver are fairly close on the surface numbers. Ed Appleton posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.25 vs 3.77) and home runs allowed (0.19 per nine innings vs 1.34). AJ Smith-Shawver had the advantage in WHIP (1.297 vs 1.435). By the career numbers, Ed Appleton had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.