OPS, or “on-base plus slugging”, is a statistic in baseball that measures a player’s ability to reach base and hit for extra bases. It is used to evaluate a player’s offensive performance, and is calculated by adding their on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). Generally, the higher the OPS, the better the offensive performance. But what is a good OPS average in baseball? Let’s take a look.
What is OPS?
OPS is a statistic that combines two of the most important offensive baseball statistics: on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). On-base percentage measures how often a batter reaches base safely, while slugging percentage measures the number of extra bases a batter can hit.
To calculate OPS, simply add OBP and SLG. For example, if a batter has an OBP of 0.300 and a SLG of 0.400, their OPS would be 0.700.
What is Considered a Good OPS Average?
The average OPS in Major League Baseball (MLB) is 0.744. This means that a player who has an OPS of 0.744 or higher is considered to be an above-average hitter.
However, there are some players who have OPS averages that are significantly higher than the league average. The all-time leader in OPS is Babe Ruth, with an OPS of 1.164. Other players who have posted OPS averages above 1.000 include Ted Williams (1.116), Barry Bonds (1.051), and Lou Gehrig (1.072).
What Factors Impact OPS?
There are several factors that can influence a player’s OPS. These include the type of pitches they see, the quality of their at-bats, and their batting approach.
Pitch selection is an important factor in OPS. Players who see a lot of fastballs and breaking balls tend to have higher OPS averages than players who see mostly off-speed or changeup pitches. Additionally, players who take more walks tend to have higher OPS averages than players who swing at everything.
Quality of at-bats also plays a role in OPS. Players who make solid contact, put the ball in play, and hit for extra bases will typically have higher OPS averages than players who strike out a lot and hit weak grounders.
Lastly, a player’s batting approach can have an impact on their OPS. Players who are patient, selective, and disciplined at the plate tend to have higher OPS averages than players who are aggressive and swing at pitches outside the strike zone.
How is OPS Used?
OPS is a useful statistic for evaluating a player’s offensive performance. It is often used to compare players across different eras and positions. Additionally, it can be used to compare players within the same era, as it takes into account both a player’s ability to reach base and hit for extra bases.
OPS is also used to evaluate a player’s value to their team. Generally, the higher a player’s OPS, the more valuable they are to their team.
Conclusion
OPS is a statistic in baseball that measures a player’s ability to reach base and hit for extra bases. The average OPS in Major League Baseball is 0.744, and players who have OPS averages above 1.000 are considered to be elite hitters. There are several factors that can influence a player’s OPS, such as pitch selection, quality of at-bats, and batting approach. OPS is a useful statistic for evaluating a player’s offensive performance and determining their value to their team.