Hirokazu Sawamura vs. Fernando Valenzuela — Career Comparison

Fernando Valenzuela built a career as a starting pitcher and Hirokazu Sawamura as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Fernando Valenzuela led in walk avoidance (BB%+ 80 vs 73), home run suppression (HR9+ 110 vs 106), and skill-based run prevention (DICE+ 91 vs 88). Hirokazu Sawamura held the edge in run prevention (ERA+ 121 vs 95). Keeping the role difference in mind, the edge still goes to Fernando Valenzuela.