Jesse Crain vs. AJ Smith-Shawver — Career Comparison

AJ Smith-Shawver built a career as a starting pitcher and Jesse Crain as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jesse Crain posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.05 and WHIP 1.282 compared to 3.77 and 1.297 for AJ Smith-Shawver. By the career numbers, Jesse Crain had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.