Scott Baker vs. Jeff Niemann — Career Comparison

Jeff Niemann built a career as a starting pitcher and Scott Baker as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jeff Niemann posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.08 and WHIP 1.301 compared to 9.82 and 2.727 for Scott Baker. By the career numbers, Jeff Niemann had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.