Baseball has been a popular sport for centuries, and its statistics have changed over time to reflect the various players and tactics that have changed. OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) is one of the most important stats in baseball today and this article will answer the question of what is the stat OPS in baseball and explain to you how it can be used to better understand a player’s performance.
What is The OPS Stat in Baseball
“On-base plus slugging (OPS) is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player’s on-base percentage and their slugging percentage. OPS statistics were first introduced in the early 1990s and have become increasingly popular in recent years. Compared to just on-base percentage or just slugging percentage, OPS paints a more full picture of a hitter’s skills.”
OPS is frequently used to compare hitters and assess individuals for accolades and recognition, such as the Most Valuable Player Award in Major League Baseball. In some circles, OPS has replaced batting average as the primary measure of a hitter’s offensive contribution. However, detractors contend that OPS essentially repeats data already provided by other statistics and that, despite its flaws, batting average is still the strongest single indicator of hitting skill.
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How is OPS Calculated?
On-base plus slugging (OPS) is a baseball statistic that combines a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The resulting number gives a good indication of a player’s overall offensive ability.
OPS is calculated by adding a player’s on-base percentage to their slugging percentage. For example, if a player has an on-base percentage of .300 and a slugging percentage of .400, their OPS would be .700.
OPS can be used to compare players from different eras, as it takes into account both a player’s ability to get on base and their power. A high OPS indicates that a player is likely to be a good hitter, while a low OPS indicates that a player is likely to be a poor hitter.
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What Does OPS Tell Us About a Player’s Performance?
OPS is a useful stat because it gives us an idea of a player’s overall offensive contribution. A high OPS means that a player is good at both getting on base and hitting for power, while a low OPS indicates that the player is struggling offensively.
There are some limitations to OPS, however. For one, it does not take into account a player’s defensive abilities or baserunning skills. Additionally, OPS can be skewed by the quality of pitching a player faces. Despite its imperfections, OPS is a popular statistic because it provides a concise way to measure a hitter’s overall offensive production. If you want to know whether or not a player is good at hitting, looking at their OPS is a good place to start
Examples of Players With High OPS Values:
1. Mike Trout – Angels
2. Joey Votto – Reds
3. Bryce Harper – Nationals
4. Miguel Cabrera – Tigers
5. Paul Goldschmidt – D-backs
6. Manny Machado – Orioles
7. J.D. Martinez – Red Sox
8. Kris Bryant – Cubs
9. Anthony Rizzo – Cubs
10. Freddie Freeman – Braves
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using OPS to Assess Baseball Players
OPS is a popular metric in baseball for assessing a player’s offensive ability. However, like all statistics, it has its limitations and should not be used as the sole measure of a player’s value.
Advantages
One advantage of using OPS is that it captures both a player’s ability to get on base and to hit for power. This makes it a more well-rounded metric than either on-base percentage or slugging percentage alone. Additionally, OPS is easy to calculate and understand, which makes it accessible to both casual and serious fans alike.
Disadvantages
However, there are also some disadvantages to using OPS as your primary metric for assessing players. One issue is that it gives equal weight to the on-base percentage and slugging percentage, even though they are not equally important skills.
Another problem is that it doesn’t take into account contextual factors such as ballpark effects or the quality of opposing pitchers. Finally, because OPS includes both walks and extra-base hits, players who draw a lot of walks but don’t hit for much power can inflate the metric artificially.
Overall, OPS is a useful tool for evaluating hitters, but it should not be used as the sole criterion for making decisions about players.
Strategies For Using OPS Statistics When Evaluating Players
OPS statistics can be used in a variety of ways when evaluating players. Here are a few strategies for using OPS statistics to your advantage:
- Compare a player’s OPS numbers against their career norms. If they’re significantly higher or lower than usual, it could be an indication that they’re due for a regression.
- Use OPS numbers to compare players across different positions. For example, a first baseman who has a lower OPS than a shortstop is probably not as valuable to his team.
- Pay attention to changes in a player’s OPS from one season to the next. A sudden spike or drop could be indicative of something (injury, age, etc.) that’s affecting their performance.
- Use OPS data to compare players from different eras. For example, you can use OPS numbers to compare a modern player to one from the 1950s and see how they stack up against each other.
- Examine the context of a player’s OPS numbers. If their team as a whole is performing poorly, it could be skewing their numbers.
- Look at the home/road split for players when evaluating their performance. A player may have great overall stats, but if they’re significantly worse on the road then it could be an indication that they’re not as solid as initially thought.
- Consider the ballpark. Are they playing in a pitcher’s park or a hitter’s park? This can make a difference when evaluating their OPS numbers.
- Pay attention to plate discipline stats like walks and strikeouts when evaluating OPS numbers. A player who walks more than they strike out is usually a good sign, while the opposite could be an indication of poor performance.
Conclusion
Baseball is a sport where a variety of statistics are used to evaluate player performance, and OPS (on-base plus slugging) statistics are crucial in this. Although it could seem difficult to comprehend these statistics, we hope with the knowledge that Honesty Apps – A website sharing the passion for baseball – provides in this blog post has helped you know what is the stat ops in baseball.
Understanding OPS figures can enhance your enjoyment of baseball and give you a deeper understanding of what makes some players exceptional at their positions. Learn the OPS figures for your favorite club so you can follow them as they pursue success each season!
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