OPS stands for On-Base Plus Slugging. It is a statistic used to measure a baseball player’s ability to get on base and hit for power. OPS combines two important numbers: On-Base Percentage (OBP) and Slugging Percentage (SLG). OBP shows how often a player reaches base, while SLG measures the player’s ability to hit for extra bases. By adding these two together, OPS gives a better overall picture of a player’s offensive performance.

OPS is important because it helps teams evaluate a player’s offensive contributions. A high OPS means a player is good at both getting on base and hitting for power, which is valuable for scoring runs. This statistic is more useful than just looking at batting average, as it includes a player’s ability to hit home runs, doubles, and triples.

The Components of Ops

On-Base Percentage (OBP)

OBP measures how often a player reaches base by any means other than a fielding error or fielder’s choice. It includes hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches. A high OBP indicates a player is good at getting on base, creating more opportunities to score.

Slugging Percentage (SLG)

SLG measures a player’s power by calculating the total number of bases earned per at-bat. It takes into account singles, doubles, triples, and home runs, with extra-base hits being weighted more heavily. A higher SLG shows a player can hit for power and drive in more runs.

Combining OBP and SLG

Together, OBP and SLG provide a full picture of a player’s offensive abilities. OBP highlights a player’s ability to get on base, while SLG reflects their power. Combining the two gives a more comprehensive measure of a player’s overall offensive impact.

How OPS is Calculated

OPS Formula

OPS is calculated by adding a player’s On-Base Percentage (OBP) and Slugging Percentage (SLG). The formula is:

OPS = OBP + SLG

This gives a combined measure of a player’s ability to get on base and hit for power.

Example Calculation

Let’s say a player has an OBP of .350 and an SLG of .500. To calculate their OPS, simply add these two numbers:

OPS = .350 + .500 = .850

This means the player’s OPS is .850. A higher OPS indicates that the player is more effective offensively, combining good on-base skills with power hitting. Generally, an OPS above .800 is considered strong, and anything above 1.000 is excellent.

Why OPS Matters in Baseball

Comprehensive Measure of Offense

OPS matters in baseball because it combines two important aspects of a player’s offensive game: getting on base and hitting for power. On-Base Percentage (OBP) shows how often a player reaches base, while Slugging Percentage (SLG) reveals their ability to hit for extra bases. By adding these two together, OPS gives a more complete picture of a player’s offensive value than individual statistics like batting average.

Evaluating Player Effectiveness

OPS is a key statistic for evaluating a player’s overall offensive effectiveness. A high OPS indicates that a player is consistently getting on base and contributing with power, both of which are crucial for scoring runs. Teams use OPS to assess players’ potential to generate offense and to compare players across different teams. It’s a valuable tool for understanding how well a player can contribute to a team’s success.

Comparison with Other Metrics

OPS provides more insight into a player’s offensive value than traditional stats like batting average. While batting average only considers hits, OPS takes into account the ability to get on base and hit for power, giving a better measure of overall contribution. It is often used alongside other advanced stats like WAR (Wins Above Replacement) to evaluate a player’s complete value to a team.

Simplifying Player Evaluation

OPS simplifies the evaluation of players by combining two key components into one easy-to-understand number. This makes it easier for coaches, analysts, and fans to quickly assess a player’s offensive performance. Unlike more complex metrics, OPS is straightforward and has become a widely accepted and reliable statistic in baseball analysis.

Interpreting OPS Scores

High OPS Scores

A high OPS indicates that a player excels both at getting on base and hitting for power. An OPS over .800 is generally considered good, while anything above .900 is considered excellent. Players with high OPS scores are typically very effective at generating offense, which makes them valuable in scoring runs for their team. An OPS above 1.000 is rare and indicates a superstar-level player.

Low OPS Scores

A low OPS, generally below .700, suggests that a player struggles either with getting on base or hitting for power. Players with low OPS scores might not be as effective offensively and could have difficulty driving in runs or getting on base consistently. A low OPS can also indicate that a player is more one-dimensional, excelling in only one aspect of offense, such as contact hitting, but lacking power or plate discipline.

OPS vs. Other Baseball Metrics

OPS vs. Batting Average

OPS is often compared to batting average, but it provides a more complete picture of a player’s performance. Batting average only considers the number of hits a player gets, ignoring how often they walk or get hit by a pitch. OPS, on the other hand, includes both On-Base Percentage (OBP) and Slugging Percentage (SLG), which takes into account a player’s ability to reach base and hit for power. This makes OPS a more comprehensive measure of offensive ability.

OPS vs. WAR (Wins Above Replacement)

OPS and WAR are both advanced statistics used to evaluate a player’s overall contribution to their team, but they focus on different aspects. OPS is a measure of offensive performance, while WAR takes into account both offensive and defensive abilities. WAR is a broader statistic that includes a player’s total value, while OPS is more focused on a player’s ability to generate runs. Both are valuable, but OPS is simpler to understand and commonly used for evaluating offense specifically.

OPS vs. Weighted On-Base Average (wOBA)

While OPS combines OBP and SLG, wOBA is a more advanced metric that gives different weights to different types of hits. For example, a home run is weighted more heavily than a single. wOBA provides a more accurate measure of a player’s offensive value because it accounts for the varying importance of different types of hits. OPS is simpler but less precise, while wOBA is a more refined statistic used by analysts.

Limitations of OPS

Does Not Account for Situational Performance

One limitation of OPS is that it doesn’t consider the context of a player’s performance. For example, OPS doesn’t differentiate between a home run hit in the first inning of a blowout game versus one hit in a crucial, late-game situation. It also doesn’t consider factors like clutch hitting or performance with runners in scoring position, which can be important for evaluating a player’s true impact on the game.

Ignores Base Running Ability

OPS focuses only on a player’s ability to get on base and hit for power, but it does not factor in base running skills. A player with excellent speed may contribute to their team by stealing bases or taking extra bases, but this is not reflected in OPS. As a result, players who excel in base running may be undervalued when only OPS is used to assess their performance.

Overemphasis on Power

While OPS includes Slugging Percentage (SLG), it may overemphasize power hitting. Players who hit for contact or have a high On-Base Percentage (OBP) but lack power may still be highly valuable, but their OPS might not reflect this. OPS tends to favor power hitters and might not fully capture the value of players who rely more on getting on base or making contact.

Conclusion

OPS is an important statistic in baseball that combines On-Base Percentage (OBP) and Slugging Percentage (SLG). It gives a clear picture of a player’s ability to get on base and hit for power. A higher OPS generally means a more effective offensive player.

While OPS is a useful metric, it has some limitations. It doesn’t account for situational performance, base running, or the full impact of contact hitters. Despite these drawbacks, OPS remains a popular and valuable tool for evaluating offensive performance in baseball.