Cracking the Bat

Whether you are looking at a Hall of Famer's plaque or a modern analytical dashboard, baseball statistics can look like alphabet soup. To build a better understanding of the game, let's break down the definitions and formulas behind the most common batting stats.

The Standard Stats

These are the "counting" stats and basic averages you will find in almost any box score.

1. WAR (Wins Above Replacement)

Definition: An aggregate metric that summarizes a player's total contributions to their team. It represents how many more wins a player provides compared to a "replacement-level" player.

• Computation: Extremely complex; it involves weighted components for hitting, fielding, and baserunning.

2. AB (At Bats)

Definition: A subset of Plate Appearances. It excludes walks, hit-by-pitches, sacrifices, and catcher's interference.

3. H (Hits)

Definition: When a batter reaches first base safely after hitting a ball into fair territory without an error or fielder's choice.

4. AVG (Batting Average)

Definition: The most traditional measure of a hitter's ability to get a hit.

The Efficiency Stats

These metrics tell us more about the quality and value of the player's time at the plate.

5. OBP (On-Base Percentage)

Definition: Measures how frequently a batter avoids making an out. Unlike Batting Average, this rewards players for drawing walks.

6. SLG (Slugging Percentage)

Definition: Measures the power of a hitter by weighing hits based on the number of bases reached.

7. OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging)

Definition: A combined metric of a player's ability to get on base and hit for power.

8. OPS+ (Adjusted OPS)

Definition: Takes OPS and normalizes it across the league, accounting for external factors like "Park Effects." An OPS+ of 100 is exactly league average.