In the world of baseball analytics, there is one statistic that stands out more than any other as a measure of a player’s offensive production: OPS, or on-base plus slugging. This statistic, which combines a player’s ability to get on base and hit for power, is seen as the ultimate indicator of offensive success. But is OPS really the most important stat? Let’s take a look.
What is OPS?
OPS stands for On-base Plus Slugging. It is a statistic that combines a player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and their Slugging Percentage (SLG). OBP is a measure of a player’s ability to reach base safely and SLG is a measure of a player’s ability to hit for power. By combining these two stats, OPS provides a comprehensive measure of a player’s offensive production.
Why is OPS Important?
OPS is important because it provides a comprehensive measure of a player’s offensive production. By combining a player’s ability to get on base and hit for power, OPS provides a much more accurate measure of a player’s offensive production than either OBP or SLG alone. Furthermore, OPS is a much better measure of offensive production than traditional batting average.
The Pros and Cons of Using OPS
Although OPS is a useful statistic, it does have some drawbacks. One of the main drawbacks is that it does not take into account other important aspects of offensive production such as stolen bases and base running. In addition, it does not take into account a player’s defensive contributions. As a result, OPS is a limited measure of a player’s overall offensive production.
Another potential drawback of OPS is that it is highly variable. This means that a player’s OPS will fluctuate significantly from season to season based on factors such as luck and injuries. As a result, OPS is not always a reliable indicator of a player’s offensive production.
Is OPS the Most Important Stat?
Although OPS is an important statistic, it is not necessarily the most important stat. There are other stats that can provide more insight into a player’s offensive production such as wOBA (weighted on-base average) and wRC+ (weighted runs created plus). These stats combine a player’s on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and other aspects of offensive production such as base running and fielding. As a result, these stats provide a more comprehensive measure of a player’s offensive production than OPS.
Conclusion
OPS is an important statistic that is often used to measure a player’s offensive production. However, it is important to remember that OPS is not the most important stat. There are other stats such as wOBA and wRC+ that provide a more comprehensive measure of a player’s offensive production. As a result, it is important to consider these stats when evaluating a player’s offensive performance.