Tom Butters vs. Phil Hughes — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Tom Butters as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Tom Butters posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.1 and WHIP 1.453 compared to 4.52 and 1.324 for Phil Hughes. By the career numbers, Tom Butters had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.