Introduction
OPS stands for on-base plus slugging, which is a sabermetric baseball statistic that combines a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage. It is used to evaluate a player’s overall offensive performance.
On-Base Percentage (OBP)
OBP measures a player’s ability to get on base by any means, including hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches. It is calculated by dividing the total times a player reaches base (hits + walks + hit-by-pitches) by their total plate appearances.
Slugging Percentage (SLG)
SLG measures a player’s ability to hit for extra bases, such as doubles and home runs. It is calculated by dividing the total bases of hits by the total at-bats.
Calculating OPS
To calculate OPS, you simply add a player’s OBP and SLG together. For example, if a player has an OBP of .350 and an SLG of .500, their OPS would be .850.
Example
Player A has an OBP of .400 and an SLG of .500. Their OPS would be .900. Player B has an OBP of .350 and an SLG of .550. Their OPS would be .900 as well. Even though both players have the same OPS, Player A gets on base more frequently, while Player B hits for more power.
Importance of OPS
OPS is a valuable statistic because it provides a more complete picture of a player’s offensive abilities than just looking at batting average. It takes into account a player’s ability to get on base and hit for power, two crucial components of scoring runs.
Case Studies
- Barry Bonds: Bonds holds the MLB record for the highest single-season OPS at 1.422 in 2004.
- Mickey Mantle: Mantle had a career OPS of .977, demonstrating his ability to get on base and hit for power.
Statistics
According to MLB.com, the average OPS for a player in the modern era is around .750. Elite players typically have an OPS above .900, while below .700 is considered poor.
