Mike Willis vs. Barry Zito — Career Comparison

Barry Zito built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Willis as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Barry Zito led in home run suppression (HR9+ 102 vs 61), run prevention (ERA+ 94 vs 81), and skill-based run prevention (DICE+ 89 vs 84). Mike Willis held the edge in walk avoidance (BB%+ 100 vs 78). Keeping the role difference in mind, the edge still goes to Barry Zito.