Mel Parnell vs. Efrain Valdez — Career Comparison

Mel Parnell built a career as a starting pitcher and Efrain Valdez as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Efrain Valdez posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.91 and WHIP 1.588 compared to 3.5 and 1.413 for Mel Parnell. By the career numbers, Efrain Valdez had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.