Rich Barnes vs. Phil Hughes — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Rich Barnes and Phil Hughes are fairly close on the surface numbers. Phil Hughes posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.52 vs 5.65) and WHIP (1.324 vs 1.919). Rich Barnes had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.31 per nine innings vs 1.33). By the career numbers, Phil Hughes 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.