OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) is an important statistic used to measure a baseball player’s offensive performance. It is calculated by adding the player’s on-base percentage (OBP) with their slugging percentage (SLG). OPS is widely used to measure the effectiveness of a hitter, and it is also used to compare players within the same position. In this article, we will explore what constitutes a good OPS percentage.
Understanding OPS
OPS is a broad measure of a player’s offensive performance. It measures the player’s ability to reach base, as well as their power in terms of extra-base hits. Because it combines two separate statistics (OBP and SLG), OPS allows for a more comprehensive measure of a player’s offensive prowess than either OBP or SLG alone.
OBP is calculated by dividing the number of times a player reaches base (hits, walks, and hit by pitches) by their total number of plate appearances. OBP is a measure of a player’s ability to get on base, regardless of the type of hit.
SLG is calculated by dividing the total number of bases a player gets from their hits (singles, doubles, triples, and home runs) by their total number of at-bats. SLG is a measure of a player’s power.
OPS is calculated by simply adding the player’s OBP with their SLG. This gives a comprehensive measure of a player’s overall offensive performance.
What is a Good OPS Percentage?
The exact definition of a “good” OPS percentage is subjective and depends on the context in which it is being used. Generally speaking, an OPS of .800 or higher is considered to be very good, while an OPS of .700 or higher is considered to be good.
At the Major League level, the average OPS for hitters is typically around .750, with the best hitters often having OPS of 1.000 or higher. For comparison, the worst hitters typically have an OPS of .500 or lower.
It should be noted that OPS is not a perfect measure of a player’s offensive performance. For example, a player with a low OBP and a high SLG could still have a relatively high OPS, while a player with a high OBP and a low SLG could have a relatively low OPS.
OPS vs. Other Statistics
OPS is often compared to other offensive statistics such as batting average, runs batted in (RBIs), and home runs. However, it is important to note that each of these statistics measure different aspects of a player’s performance.
Batting average is a measure of a player’s ability to get hits, while OPS measures a player’s overall offensive performance. RBIs measure a player’s ability to drive in runs, while OPS measures a player’s ability to get on base and hit for power. Home runs measure a player’s power, while OPS measures a player’s overall offensive performance.
When it comes to evaluating a player’s offensive performance, OPS is often seen as a more comprehensive and accurate measure than any of these other statistics.
Conclusion
OPS is an important statistic used to measure a player’s offensive performance. It is calculated by adding the player’s on-base percentage (OBP) with their slugging percentage (SLG). Generally speaking, a good OPS percentage is considered to be .800 or higher, while a very good OPS percentage is considered to be 1.000 or higher. OPS is not a perfect measure of a player’s offensive performance, but it is often seen as a more comprehensive and accurate measure than other offensive statistics such as batting average, RBIs, and home runs.