Brian Smith vs. Jarrod Washburn — Career Comparison

Jarrod Washburn built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jarrod Washburn posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.1 and WHIP 1.312 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Jarrod Washburn had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.