Phil Hughes vs. Randy Messenger — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Randy Messenger as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Phil Hughes led in walk avoidance (BB%+ 204 vs 98), strikeout rate (K%+ 102 vs 79), and run prevention (ERA+ 97 vs 85). Randy Messenger held the edge in home run suppression (HR9+ 113 vs 84). Role difference aside, Phil Hughes holds a clear edge on every meaningful shared measure.