OPS, or On-base Plus Slugging, is one of the most commonly used statistics in baseball. It is a measure of a player’s offensive performance, combining the ability to reach base with the ability to hit for power. In this article, we will discuss what OPS stands for in baseball, how it is calculated, and the importance of the statistic in evaluating a player’s offensive performance.
Definition of OPS
OPS stands for On-base Plus Slugging, and is a statistic used in baseball to measure a player’s offensive performance. It is calculated by adding the player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). OBP measures a player’s ability to reach base safely, while SLG measures a player’s ability to hit for power.
How OPS is Calculated
The formula for calculating OPS is as follows: OPS = OBP + SLG. OBP is calculated by dividing the number of times a player reaches base safely (hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches) by the total number of plate appearances. SLG is calculated by dividing the total number of bases a player has accumulated (hits, doubles, triples, and home runs) by the total number of at-bats.
Importance of OPS
OPS is one of the most important statistics used to evaluate a player’s offensive performance. It combines two of the most important elements of hitting: the ability to reach base safely and the ability to hit for power. In addition, it provides a more comprehensive measure of a player’s offensive performance than traditional statistics such as batting average, home runs, and RBIs.
History of OPS
OPS was first introduced in the early 1980s by Bill James, a prominent baseball statistician. At the time, traditional offensive statistics such as batting average were dominant. James proposed that OPS was a better measure of a player’s offensive performance, as it combined the ability to reach base with the ability to hit for power. Since then, OPS has become one of the most widely used statistics in baseball.
OPS vs. Traditional Statistics
OPS is often compared to traditional offensive statistics such as batting average, home runs, and RBIs. While these statistics are useful in evaluating a player’s offensive performance, they do not provide a comprehensive measure. Batting average only measures a player’s ability to get hits, while home runs and RBIs measure a player’s power. OPS, on the other hand, combines the ability to reach base safely with the ability to hit for power, providing a more complete measure of a player’s offensive performance.
OPS and Sabermetrics
OPS has become a popular statistic in sabermetrics, the field of studying baseball through advanced statistical analysis. Sabermetricians use OPS to compare players across different eras and to compare players with different offensive skillsets. This helps to provide a more accurate measure of a player’s offensive performance than traditional statistics.
OPS and Sabermetric Formulas
In sabermetrics, OPS is often used in conjunction with other sabermetric formulas such as Adjusted OPS (Adj OPS) and Weighted On-base Average (wOBA). Adj OPS is calculated by taking a players OPS and adjusting it for the park and league environment in which the player played. wOBA is calculated by weighting each offensive event (hits, walks, hit-by-pitches, etc.) based on its run value. These formulas provide a more accurate measure of a player’s offensive performance than OPS alone.
OPS Leaders
Throughout the history of Major League Baseball, some of the greatest hitters have had the highest OPS. Babe Ruth holds the all-time record with an OPS of 1.164. Other notable players on the all-time list include Ted Williams (1.116), Barry Bonds (1.051), and Ty Cobb (1.000).
Conclusion
OPS is one of the most important statistics used in baseball to evaluate a player’s offensive performance. It combines the ability to reach base safely with the ability to hit for power, providing a more comprehensive measure of a player’s offensive performance than traditional statistics such as batting average, home runs, and RBIs. It is also used in sabermetrics to compare players across different eras and to compare players with different offensive skillsets. OPS has become a popular statistic among baseball fans and analysts alike, and some of the greatest hitters in history have had the highest OPS.