Hamels and Lester are lefty’s.

Big points in there favor.

Inning are innings, no, regardless of if the guy started the game or not?
———-
Innings are innings, but there’s a reason why some pitchers start, and some relieve.

FWIW, at this point in time…

1 of of 5 who answered said
No, Hughes Will Never Be As Good As Them

and nearly 1 out of 4 have said
Not Sure

Sounds like 4 out of 10 fans are not ready to say that Phil Hughes will be an ace pitcher.

Granted that says that 60% think that he will be…

But, it shows that, as of this snapshot, fans are close to 50-50 on whether or not Hughes will be a star.

Interesting.

Inning are innings, no, regardless of if the guy started the game or not?

I see Bullinger, and I see 2.27 ERA, and a 1.10 WHIP. I also see that he’s only started 6 games in 14 seasons in the minors.

Dan Giese? 2.89 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 10 games started in 2008. 2008 marks the first time he was a starter, having been a relief pitcher his other 9 years in the minors.

It would be mighty impressive if Hughes is better in 2009, as he will presumably have to earn his spot in the rotation and not have it handed to him. The difference between Lester when he reached the majors and Lester now is extraordinary. Coming up big in the post-season just reinforces the Pettitte comparison.

I think its quite possible that Hughes reaches Lester’s level, but he will likely require another season or so to figure it out and blossom.

Raf – check out the career MiL ERA and WHIP of Kirk Bullinger

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=17772

or Dan Giese
http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=20819

~~Phil Hughes will be a better pitcher than Jon Lester in 2009, and will come real close to Cole Hamels, a pitcher who is three years older.~~

Why?

Phil Hughes will be a better pitcher than Jon Lester in 2009, and will come real close to Cole Hamels, a pitcher who is three years older.