Phil Hughes vs. Ed Mayer — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Ed Mayer as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Ed Mayer posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.31 and WHIP 1.340 compared to 4.52 and 1.324 for Phil Hughes. By the career numbers, Ed Mayer had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.