OPS in baseball stats, or On-Base Plus Slugging, is a simple yet powerful metric that combines a player’s ability to get on base with their ability to hit for power. It’s calculated by adding a player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). A higher OPS generally indicates a more valuable offensive player.
What Is OPS in Baseball Stats? Calculation & Meaning
Baseball is a game steeped in tradition and statistics. From batting average to earned run average, numbers help us understand a player’s performance and a team’s success. Among these, one statistic has gained prominence for its simplicity and effectiveness: OPS, or On-Base Plus Slugging. But what is OPS in baseball stats, really? And why has it become such a widely used metric? We’ll break it down, making it easy to understand even if you’re new to baseball statistics.
The Evolution of Baseball Stats
Before diving into OPS, it’s helpful to understand the context. For decades, batting average was king. It was the primary way to judge a hitter’s worth. However, baseball evolved, and people realized that batting average only told part of the story. It didn’t account for walks (getting on base without hitting) or the type of hits a player got (a single is different from a home run).
That’s where on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG) came in. OBP measures how often a player reaches base, while SLG measures a player’s power. Combining these two created OPS, giving a more complete picture of a hitter’s offensive value.
Decoding OPS: On-Base Plus Slugging
At its core, OPS is the sum of two other important statistics:
- On-Base Percentage (OBP): This measures how frequently a player gets on base, whether by hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch. It’s calculated as (Hits + Walks + Hit-by-Pitches) / (At-Bats + Walks + Hit-by-Pitches + Sacrifice Flies).
- Slugging Percentage (SLG): This measures a player’s power, taking into account the type of hits they get. It’s calculated as (Singles + 2 x Doubles + 3 x Triples + 4 x Home Runs) / At-Bats.
So, the formula for OPS is simply:
OPS = OBP + SLG
It’s that easy!
Calculating OPS: A Step-by-Step Example
Let’s say we have a player named Alex with the following stats from a season:
- At-Bats (AB): 500
- Hits (H): 150
- Doubles (2B): 30
- Triples (3B): 5
- Home Runs (HR): 20
- Walks (BB): 60
- Hit-by-Pitches (HBP): 5
- Sacrifice Flies (SF): 8
First, we need to calculate Alex’s OBP:
OBP = (H + BB + HBP) / (AB + BB + HBP + SF)
OBP = (150 + 60 + 5) / (500 + 60 + 5 + 8)
OBP = 215 / 573
OBP ≈ 0.375
Next, we calculate Alex’s SLG:
Singles = H – 2B – 3B – HR = 150 – 30 – 5 – 20 = 95
SLG = (Singles + 2 x Doubles + 3 x Triples + 4 x Home Runs) / AB
SLG = (95 + 2 x 30 + 3 x 5 + 4 x 20) / 500
SLG = (95 + 60 + 15 + 80) / 500
SLG = 250 / 500
SLG = 0.500
Finally, we calculate Alex’s OPS:
OPS = OBP + SLG
OPS = 0.375 + 0.500
OPS = 0.875
Therefore, Alex’s OPS for the season is 0.875.
Interpreting OPS: What Does It Mean?
Now that we know how to calculate OPS, what does it actually mean? Here’s a general guideline for interpreting OPS values:
- .900+: Excellent – An elite offensive player.
- .800-.899: Very Good – A well-above-average offensive player.
- .700-.799: Average – A decent offensive player.
- .600-.699: Below Average – A weak offensive player.
- Below .600: Poor – A very unproductive offensive player.
So, in our example, Alex’s OPS of 0.875 indicates that he is a very good offensive player.
Why is OPS Useful?
OPS provides a quick and easy way to evaluate a player’s overall offensive contribution. It’s more informative than batting average alone because it considers both getting on base and hitting for power. Here’s why it’s so valuable:
- Combines Two Key Skills: It recognizes that both getting on base and hitting for power are essential for scoring runs.
- Simple to Understand: The calculation is straightforward, making it accessible to casual fans.
- Provides a Holistic View: It offers a more complete picture of a player’s offensive capabilities than single statistics like batting average or home runs.
- Widely Available: You can find OPS for almost any player in any league with readily available baseball statistics.
The Limitations of OPS
While OPS is a valuable tool, it’s important to recognize its limitations:
- Doesn’t Weigh OBP and SLG Equally: Some argue that OBP is more important than SLG because getting on base is the first step to scoring. OPS treats them equally.
- Context-Neutral: It doesn’t account for factors like ballpark dimensions, the quality of opposing pitchers, or a player’s position in the batting order.
- Doesn’t Account for Stolen Bases or Baserunning: OPS focuses solely on hitting and getting on base, ignoring other important offensive skills.
Beyond OPS: More Advanced Metrics
As baseball analysis has become more sophisticated, more advanced metrics have emerged to address some of the limitations of OPS. These include:
- Weighted On-Base Average (wOBA): This assigns different weights to different types of hits based on their actual run values.
- OPS+: This adjusts a player’s OPS for the ballpark they play in and the league average OPS.
- True Average (AVG+): Averages the best of a player’s Batting Average, On-Base Percentage, and Slugging Percentage.
While these metrics are more complex, they offer a more nuanced understanding of a player’s offensive value.
OPS vs. Other Baseball Stats
Let’s briefly compare OPS to some other common baseball stats:
- Batting Average (AVG): AVG only measures hits divided by at-bats. It ignores walks and the type of hits. OPS is superior because it considers these factors.
- Home Runs (HR): HR only measures a player’s ability to hit home runs. OPS provides a broader view of offensive contributions.
- Runs Batted In (RBI): RBI depends heavily on a player’s position in the batting order and the performance of the hitters in front of them. OPS is a more individualistic measure.
- Stolen Bases (SB): SB measures a player’s ability to steal bases, which is not reflected in OPS.
How OPS is Used in Baseball Today
OPS is used extensively by teams, analysts, and fans alike. Here are some common applications:
- Player Evaluation: Teams use OPS to assess the offensive value of potential acquisitions and current players.
- Lineup Construction: Managers use OPS to help determine the optimal batting order.
- Contract Negotiations: OPS is often a factor in determining a player’s contract value.
- Fantasy Baseball: Fantasy baseball players use OPS to draft and manage their teams.
- General Fan Discussion: Even casual fans use OPS to compare players and discuss their performance.
The Future of OPS and Baseball Analytics
Baseball analytics is constantly evolving, and new metrics are always being developed. However, OPS is likely to remain a valuable tool for years to come because of its simplicity and effectiveness. As baseball continues to embrace data-driven decision-making, we can expect even more sophisticated ways to analyze and interpret player performance.
My Own Experience with OPS
As someone who’s followed baseball closely for years, I’ve seen firsthand how the understanding and use of OPS has changed. Back in the day, batting average was pretty much all anyone talked about. Now, it’s rare to hear a baseball discussion without OPS coming up.
I remember one particular season where a player on my favorite team wasn’t hitting for a high average, but his OPS was fantastic. Initially, some fans were critical, focusing on the low average. But as people started paying more attention to OPS, they began to appreciate his overall offensive value. He was getting on base a lot and hitting for power, and that translated into runs.
That experience really highlighted the importance of looking beyond traditional stats and embracing more comprehensive measures like OPS. It also showed me how the understanding of baseball statistics can evolve over time.
Another thing I’ve noticed is how OPS is used in fantasy baseball. In the past, batting average and home runs were the main stats people focused on. Now, OPS is a key metric for evaluating players, especially in leagues that value on-base percentage. It’s a great way to find undervalued players who might not have the highest batting average but still contribute significantly to your team’s offense.
While more advanced metrics like wOBA and OPS+ provide even greater insight, OPS remains a great starting point for understanding a player’s offensive capabilities.
So, next time you’re watching a baseball game or discussing players with friends, remember the what is OPS in baseball stats: On-Base Plus Slugging. It’s a simple yet powerful tool for understanding the game.
FAQ
What is a good OPS in baseball?
An OPS of .800 or higher is generally considered good, indicating a well-above-average offensive player.
How is OPS calculated?
OPS is calculated by adding a player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG).
Is OPS better than batting average?
Yes, OPS is generally considered a better measure of offensive value than batting average because it considers both getting on base and hitting for power.
What does OPS stand for in baseball statistics?
OPS stands for On-Base Plus Slugging.
What is a high OPS in MLB?
In Major League Baseball (MLB), an OPS above .900 is considered very high, signifying an elite offensive player.
What are the limitations of using OPS in baseball analysis?
OPS doesn’t weigh OBP and SLG equally, is context-neutral, and doesn’t account for stolen bases or baserunning.