Baseball is one of America’s favorite sports, and with its popularity comes a variety of stats that measure the performance of players. One of the most important stats tracked in baseball is On-Base Plus Slugging, or OPS. OPS is a statistic that combines two other stats—on-base percentage and slugging percentage—to give a more comprehensive view of a player’s offensive performance. Here’s a look at how an OPS is calculated and why it’s an important stat in baseball.
What is OPS?
OPS is a composite statistic used in baseball to measure a player’s offensive ability. It combines two other important stats—on-base percentage and slugging percentage—into one comprehensive stat. OPS is calculated by adding a player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG) and dividing by two. OPS is a useful stat for evaluating a player’s offensive performance, as it takes into account both the ability to reach base and the ability to hit for power.
On-Base Percentage
On-base percentage (OBP) is a statistic used to measure a player’s ability to reach base safely. It is calculated by dividing the number of times a player reaches base (hits, walks, hit-by-pitches, etc.) by the total number of times the player has come to bat (at-bats plus walks plus hit-by-pitches plus sacrifice flies). OBP is an important stat because it measures a player’s ability to get on base without having to hit a home run.
Slugging Percentage
Slugging percentage (SLG) is a statistic used to measure a player’s hitting power. It is calculated by adding the total number of bases a player has reached (singles, doubles, triples, home runs) and dividing by the total number of at-bats. SLG is an important stat because it measures a player’s ability to hit for extra bases, which can lead to more runs scored.
Calculating OPS
Once a player’s OBP and SLG are calculated, they can be combined to calculate the player’s OPS. The formula is simple: OPS = (OBP + SLG) / 2.
For example, let’s say a player has an OBP of 0.350 and a SLG of 0.500. Their OPS would be calculated as follows: OPS = (0.350 + 0.500) / 2 = 0.425.
Why is OPS Important?
OPS is an important statistic in baseball because it combines two stats—OBP and SLG—into one comprehensive stat. It is an effective way to measure a player’s offensive performance, as it takes into account the ability to reach base and the ability to hit for power. As a result, OPS is often used to evaluate a player’s offensive ability, as well as their overall value to a team.
Conclusion
OPS is an important statistic in baseball that combines two other important stats—on-base percentage and slugging percentage—into one comprehensive stat. It is an effective way to measure a player’s offensive performance, as it takes into account the ability to reach base and the ability to hit for power. As a result, OPS is often used to evaluate a player’s offensive ability, as well as their overall value to a team.