Brian Stokes vs. Fernando Valenzuela — Career Comparison

Fernando Valenzuela built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Stokes 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 home run suppression (HR9+ 110 vs 89), run prevention (ERA+ 95 vs 83), and strikeout rate (K%+ 79 vs 69). Brian Stokes held the edge in walk avoidance (BB%+ 100 vs 80). Role difference aside, Fernando Valenzuela holds a clear edge on every meaningful shared measure.