Phil Hughes vs. Bill Lathrop — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Bill Lathrop as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bill Lathrop posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.06 and WHIP 1.361 compared to 4.52 and 1.324 for Phil Hughes. By the career numbers, Bill Lathrop had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.