Baltimore Orioles rookie lefty Brian Matusz has been pitching much better of late, possibly positioning himself for a sophomore breakout in 2010. Meanwhile, New York Mets rookie Jon Niese has had a few rough outings recently, but overall his performance this year has been very credible.

Check out this comparison of their careers so far.

Matusz:   201.1 career innings, 215 hits, 159/70 K/BB, 7.0 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 9.4 H/9, 1.0 HR/9,  4.20 FIP, 4.69 ERA
Niese:    201.0  career innings, 219 hits, 163/70 K/BB 7.3 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 9.6 H/9,  1.1 HR/9, 4.08 xFIP, 4.12 ERA


I think most people would say that Matusz is the better long-term prospect despite his weaker pitching this year, but I didn't realize these two pitchers were so close. I had Matusz as a Grade A and Niese as a Grade B in the book this year.