Joe Blanton vs. Esmerling Vasquez — Career Comparison

Joe Blanton built a career as a starting pitcher and Esmerling Vasquez as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Joe Blanton led in walk avoidance (BB%+ 118 vs 72), run prevention (ERA+ 96 vs 85), and skill-based run prevention (DICE+ 93 vs 90). Esmerling Vasquez held the edge in home run suppression (HR9+ 113 vs 82). Keeping the role difference in mind, the edge still goes to Joe Blanton.