On-Base Plus Slugging: A Comprehensive Guide to OPS in Baseball

OPS: Understanding the Metric

On-base plus slugging (OPS) is a statistic in baseball that combines a player's ability to get on base with their power hitting. It is calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG).

On-Base Percentage (OBP): Measures a player's ability to reach base through hits, walks, or hit by pitches.

Slugging Percentage (SLG): Measures a player's power hitting ability by taking the total bases accumulated on hits and dividing it by at-bats (AB).

Interpretation of OPS

OPS provides a comprehensive measure of a player's offensive contribution. It indicates both their ability to get on base and to hit for power. Typically:

• OPS below 0.700: Below-average hitter
• OPS between 0.700 and 0.800: Average hitter
• OPS between 0.800 and 0.900: Good hitter
• OPS between 0.900 and 1.000: Excellent hitter
• OPS above 1.000: Elite hitter

Importance of OPS

OPS is an important statistic for evaluating hitters because it combines both on-base and power skills, which are essential for team success. A player with a high OPS can contribute to points by:

• Getting on base and creating scoring opportunities
• Hitting for extra bases and driving in runs

Moreover, OPS can predict run production and team performance. According to Fangraphs, a 0.100 increase in OPS equates to a gain of approximately 1.5 wins above replacement (WAR).

OPS Leaders and Records

Some of the all-time OPS leaders include:

| Player | OPS |
|---|---|---|
| Babe Ruth | 1.164 |
| Ted Williams | 1.150 |
| Lou Gehrig | 1.074 |
| Mike Trout | 1.024 |
| Barry Bonds | 1.019 |

OPS by Year

The average OPS in Major League Baseball has fluctuated over the years. Here is a look at the average OPS by year from 1901 to 2022:

| Year | OPS |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 0.686 |
| 1951 | 0.760 |
| 1972 | 0.750 |
| 1994 | 0.724 |
| 2022 | 0.750 |

Stories and Lessons

Story 1: The Case of Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth was one of the greatest hitters of all time, with an OPS of 1.164. He was a powerful slugger and walked at a high rate, leading to his exceptional on-base percentage. Ruth's high OPS helped the New York Yankees build a dynasty in the early 20th century.

Lesson: A player with a high OPS can single-handedly impact a team's success.

Story 2: The 2019 Season of Mike Trout

In 2019, Mike Trout had an OPS of 1.083, the highest in the league. He led the American League in both on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Trout's exceptional OPS helped the Los Angeles Angels win the American League West division.

Lesson: OPS can provide a reliable measure of a player's overall offensive contribution.

Story 3: The Impact of the Designated Hitter Rule

The introduction of the designated hitter (DH) rule in 1973 led to an increase in OPS league-wide. Players no longer had to play in the field, allowing them to focus solely on hitting. This resulted in higher on-base and slugging percentages.

Lesson: Innovations in the game can impact offensive statistics.

Tips and Tricks for Improving OPS

• Increase on-base percentage by drawing walks and hitting for contact.
• Develop power by working on bat speed and strength.
• Study pitch selection and swing mechanics to optimize results.

Conclusion

On-base plus slugging (OPS) is a valuable metric for evaluating hitters in baseball. It provides a comprehensive measure of a player's offensive contribution, incorporating both on-base ability and power hitting. OPS can predict run production, team performance, and identify all-time great hitters. Understanding and using OPS effectively can enhance baseball analysis and enjoyment.

Additional Resources

• Fangraphs OPS Leaderboard
• Baseball Reference OPS History
• The Art of Hitting: The Science and Strategy of Great Hitting