Phil Hughes vs. Sam McConnell — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Sam McConnell as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Sam McConnell posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.86 and WHIP 1.714 compared to 4.52 and 1.324 for Phil Hughes. By the career numbers, Sam McConnell had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.