For decades, baseball players have been judged by their batting average. The more hits a player gets, the better the average will be. But in recent years, the statistic that has become increasingly important is the player’s on-base percentage (PCT). This statistic measures how often a player reaches base, regardless of whether it was a hit or a walk. A high PCT in baseball is considered to be a good thing, but why? Let’s take a closer look.
What Does PCT Measure?
PCT measures a player’s ability to reach base safely. It doesn’t take into account hits, so it’s a better indicator of a player’s overall offensive production than their batting average. PCT takes into account walks, hit-by-pitches, and any other way a player can reach base without getting a hit. This means that a player can have a high PCT even if they don’t get many hits.
Why Is PCT Valued?
A high PCT is valued because it means that the player is able to get on base and potentially score runs. This is important because it means they can help their team win games. It also means that they are more likely to get more opportunities to make an impact on the game.
The ability to get on base is also important in certain situations. For example, if a team is looking to score a runner from third base, they will want a player who can get on base. PCT is a better measure of this ability than batting average, so it is a valuable statistic for teams looking to build a winning lineup.
What Is a Good PCT?
The average PCT in Major League Baseball is around .330. This means that any player with a PCT higher than .330 is considered to have a good PCT. Anything higher than .350 is considered to be excellent.
Why Is PCT Growing in Popularity?
PCT has been around for years, but it has only recently started to become more popular. This is due to the increasing popularity of analytics and sabermetrics in baseball. Teams are now more likely to look at a player’s PCT when evaluating them, as they realize that it is a better measure of a player’s offensive production.
Conclusion
A high PCT in baseball is considered to be a good thing. This is because it is a better measure of a player’s ability to reach base and score runs. It is also valuable in certain situations, such as when a team is looking to score a runner from third base. PCT is becoming increasingly popular due to the growing influence of analytics and sabermetrics in baseball. An average PCT in Major League Baseball is around .330, and anything higher than .350 is considered to be excellent.