Baseball is a game filled with statistics, and one of the most popular among them is OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging). It is a statistic that combines a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage, and is used to measure a player’s offensive performance. A higher OPS is generally considered a better indicator of a player’s offensive prowess, but should you strive for a high or low OPS in baseball?
What is OPS?
OPS, which stands for On-Base Plus Slugging, is a statistic that combines a batters on-base percentage and slugging percentage, two of the most important offensive statistics in baseball. A player’s on-base percentage is the percentage of times they reach base safely via a hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch. Their slugging percentage is the total number of bases they accumulate divided by their total number of at-bats.
When combined, OPS is a measure of a player’s offensive ability, and is one of the most commonly used statistics in baseball. Generally, the higher a player’s OPS, the better their offensive performance.
The Benefits of a High OPS
It is generally accepted that a higher OPS is a better indicator of a player’s offensive prowess, and there are several benefits that come with a high OPS. First, it is a good indication of a player’s ability to get on base. This is important in baseball because getting on base is a key component of scoring runs. The more times a player gets on base, the more opportunities they have to score runs, and the better their team’s chances of winning.
A high OPS also indicates that a player has power. A player with a high OPS is able to get extra bases on hits, which can help increase their team’s run total. A high OPS also indicates that a player is capable of hitting for extra-base hits, which can help a team score more runs.
The Downsides of a High OPS
Although a high OPS is generally considered a good indicator of a player’s offensive prowess, there are some downsides that come with a high OPS. First, it is important to note that a high OPS does not necessarily mean that a player is a good hitter. A player can have a high OPS without actually being a good hitter, as they may be getting on base via walks or hit-by-pitches instead of actually hitting the ball.
A high OPS also does not guarantee that a player will be successful in all situations. A player may have a high OPS in one situation, such as with runners in scoring position, but may struggle in other situations. This means that a high OPS does not always translate to success in all situations.
The Benefits of a Low OPS
Although a high OPS is generally considered a good indicator of a player’s offensive prowess, there are some benefits to having a low OPS. A low OPS indicates that a player is not getting on base as often, which can be beneficial in certain situations. For example, if a team is trying to get out of a jam and they need a strikeout, they may want to put in a player with a low OPS in order to increase their chances of getting the out.
A low OPS also indicates that a player is not hitting for as much power, which can be beneficial in certain situations. If a team is looking for a player to move runners over or to simply put the ball in play, they may want to look for a player with a low OPS.
The Downsides of a Low OPS
Although a low OPS can be beneficial in certain situations, there are some downsides that come with a low OPS. First, it generally indicates that a player is not getting on base as often, which means they are missing out on scoring opportunities. This can be a problem for teams that rely on their offense to score runs, as they will not have as many opportunities to do so if their players have a low OPS.
A low OPS also indicates that a player is not hitting for as much power, which can be a problem if a team is looking to score runs. If a team is relying on their offense to score runs, they will need players that are capable of getting extra-base hits in order to increase their run total.
Conclusion
When considering whether you should strive for a high or low OPS in baseball, it is important to consider the benefits and downsides of each. Generally, a high OPS is a good indicator of a player’s offensive prowess, as it indicates that they are getting on base and hitting for power. However, a high OPS does not guarantee success in all situations and a player can have a high OPS without actually being a good hitter.
On the other hand, a low OPS can be beneficial in certain situations, such as when a team needs a strikeout or a player to move runners over. However, a low OPS generally indicates that a player is not getting on base as often and not hitting for as much power, which can be a problem if a team is relying on their offense to score runs.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to strive for a high or low OPS in baseball depends on the team’s needs and the situation they are in. Both high and low OPS can be beneficial in different situations, so it is important to consider the pros and cons of each before making a decision.