James Paxton vs. Willie Smith — Career Comparison

James Paxton built a career as a starting pitcher and Willie Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. James Paxton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.77 and WHIP 1.257 compared to 6.31 and 2.026 for Willie Smith. By the career numbers, James Paxton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.