User blog comment:Zwann/Vasto Lordes in the Espada, let's analyze./@comment-1590714-20091016103131

I think you could be right, however: As for Starrk: He was beaten by a captain who was only using his Shikai. If you'd match him up with another captain, excluding Hitsugaya, I don't think that would work. So, as for the "stronger than a captain" part, I don't see him qualify. The Vizards probiably lost because of their inability to outfox the "soul hounds". (sorry for the pun, "outfox", "soul HOUNDS...damn I'm really not very funny...) Kyoraku would have easily dodged them by using his Shadow Demon ability. As for Barragan: He wasn't really stronger than a captain. Technically speaking, Hachigen defeated him, and he was only a former Luitenant.

This is just my point of view, really.