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What is ops in baseball stats?

By HotBotUpdated: September 24, 2024

Answer

Understanding OPS

OPS, or On-base Plus Slugging, is a sabermetric baseball statistic that combines a player's on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). It is a comprehensive measure used to evaluate a player's overall offensive performance. The formula for OPS is straightforward:

OPS = OBP + SLG

Components of OPS: OBP and SLG

On-base Percentage (OBP)

On-base percentage measures how frequently a player reaches base. This includes hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches, but excludes errors, fielder's choice, and dropped third strikes. The formula for OBP is:

OBP = (H + BB + HBP) / (AB + BB + HBP + SF)

Where:

Start

H = Hits
BB = Bases on Balls (Walks)
HBP = Hit by Pitch
AB = At Bats
SF = Sacrifice Flies

Slugging Percentage (SLG)

Slugging percentage measures the total number of bases a player records per at-bat, providing insight into the player's power-hitting abilities. The formula for SLG is:

SLG = (1B + 2 * 2B + 3 * 3B + 4 * HR) / AB

Where:

1B = Singles
2B = Doubles
3B = Triples
HR = Home Runs
AB = At Bats

Historical Context and Evolution

OPS became mainstream in the late 20th century, popularized by the sabermetric movement and analysts like Bill James. Before OPS, traditional stats like batting average and RBIs dominated baseball analysis. However, OPS offered a more nuanced view by combining the ability to get on base with the ability to hit for power.

Why OPS is Important

OPS is valued for its simplicity and comprehensiveness. It captures two of the most critical aspects of offensive performance: getting on base and hitting for power. This dual focus makes OPS a robust indicator of a player's overall offensive contribution, often correlating well with runs scored and team success.

Advanced Metrics Derived from OPS

OPS+

OPS+ adjusts a player's OPS for league and park factors, making it easier to compare players across different eras and ballparks. An OPS+ of 100 is league average, while a score above 100 indicates above-average performance.

Weighted On-base Average (wOBA)

While OPS is a valuable metric, it treats OBP and SLG equally, which isn't entirely accurate since getting on base is generally more valuable than slugging. wOBA addresses this by assigning different weights to different types of hits and on-base events.

Criticisms and Limitations

Though OPS is useful, it is not without flaws. One criticism is that it gives equal weight to OBP and SLG, despite OBP being generally more predictive of team success. Additionally, OPS does not account for situational hitting or base-running skills.

Notable Players with High OPS

Historically, some of the game's greatest hitters have boasted impressive OPS figures. For instance:

Babe Ruth: Often considered the greatest hitter of all time, Ruth's career OPS of 1.164 is the highest in MLB history.
Ted Williams: Known for his hitting prowess, Williams holds a career OPS of 1.116.
Barry Bonds: Bonds' career OPS of 1.051 ranks him among the all-time greats, bolstered by both his high OBP and SLG.

Real-World Applications of OPS

In modern baseball, OPS is frequently used by scouts, analysts, and general managers to evaluate players. It plays a crucial role in player contracts, trade evaluations, and Hall of Fame considerations. Teams increasingly rely on OPS to make informed decisions, balancing traditional scouting with advanced metrics.

Calculating OPS: A Practical Example

Let's consider a player, John Doe, with the following stats in a season:

Hits (H): 150
Bases on Balls (BB): 60
Hit by Pitch (HBP): 5
At Bats (AB): 500
Sacrifice Flies (SF): 5
Doubles (2B): 30
Triples (3B): 5
Home Runs (HR): 20

First, calculate OBP:

OBP = (150 + 60 + 5) / (500 + 60 + 5 + 5) = 215 / 570 ≈ 0.377

Next, calculate SLG:

SLG = (150 + 2 * 30 + 3 * 5 + 4 * 20) / 500 = (150 + 60 + 15 + 80) / 500 = 305 / 500 ≈ 0.610

Finally, calculate OPS:

OPS = OBP + SLG = 0.377 + 0.610 ≈ 0.987

John Doe's OPS of 0.987 indicates a highly productive offensive season, making him a valuable player in terms of both getting on base and hitting for power.

OPS remains a vital statistic in modern baseball analytics, offering a balanced perspective on offensive performance. While not perfect, it serves as a versatile and accessible metric, bridging the gap between traditional stats and advanced sabermetrics. As the game continues to evolve, OPS will likely remain a cornerstone of player evaluation, appreciated by both casual fans and seasoned analysts alike.