Baseball is a sport that has a plethora of statistics, many of which can be used to compare players. One of the most popular stats used to compare players is OPS+ and wRC+, two advanced metrics that measure a player’s offensive performance. Although both stats have the same goal of measuring a player’s offensive performance, they are calculated in different ways and provide different insights into a player’s performance. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between OPS+ and wRC+ to help you better understand each metric.
What is OPS+?
OPS+ (On-base Plus Slugging Plus) is a statistic that measures a player’s offensive performance. It is calculated by adding a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage and then dividing the result by the league average. The result is adjusted so that a score of 100 is equal to the league average and any score above 100 is above average, while any score below 100 is below average.
What is wRC+?
wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) is a statistic that measures a player’s offensive performance. It is calculated by weighing various offensive metrics such as batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and plate appearances. The result is then adjusted so that a score of 100 is equal to the league average, and any score above 100 is above average, while any score below 100 is below average.
How Do OPS+ and wRC+ Differ?
OPS+ and wRC+ measure a player’s offensive performance, but they are calculated in different ways and provide different insights into a player’s performance.
Calculation: OPS+ is calculated by adding a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage and then dividing the result by the league average. wRC+ is calculated by weighing various offensive metrics such as batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and plate appearances.
Weighted Metrics: OPS+ only takes into account a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage, while wRC+ takes into account a variety of weighted metrics such as batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and plate appearances.
Durability: OPS+ is better suited for measuring the performance of individual players, while wRC+ is better suited for measuring the performance of a team. This is because wRC+ takes into account the weight of a player’s plate appearances, which is an important factor when evaluating a team’s performance.
Conclusion
OPS+ and wRC+ are two advanced metrics that measure a player’s offensive performance, but they are calculated in different ways and provide different insights into a player’s performance. OPS+ is better suited for measuring the performance of individual players, while wRC+ is better suited for measuring the performance of a team. Understanding the differences between OPS+ and wRC+ can help you better understand each metric and gain a better appreciation of a player’s performance.