Phil Hughes vs. Mike Welch — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Welch as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Phil Hughes posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.52 and WHIP 1.324 compared to 8.27 and 1.597 for Mike Welch. By the career numbers, Phil Hughes had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.