Ryota Igarashi vs. Jake Thompson — Career Comparison

Jake Thompson built a career as a starting pitcher and Ryota Igarashi as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jake Thompson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.87 and WHIP 1.556 compared to 6.41 and 1.849 for Ryota Igarashi. By the career numbers, Jake Thompson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.