Baseball is a sport with a vast array of statistics and metrics, with each one measuring different facets of the game. Among the most widely used advanced metrics in modern baseball is OPS, which stands for On-base Plus Slugging. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to OPS, its history, significance, and how it is calculated.
Understanding OPS: On-base Plus Slugging
OPS is a statistic that aims to measure a player’s overall performance at the plate by combining two key metrics: On-base Percentage (OBP) and Slugging Percentage (SLG).
OBP refers to the number of times a player reaches base, either by a hit, a walk, or being hit by a pitch, divided by the number of plate appearances. SLG, on the other hand, measures the number of bases a player gets per at-bat, calculated as the total number of bases (including singles, doubles, triples, and home runs) divided by the number of at-bats.
OPS combines these two metrics by adding OBP and SLG together, hence the name “On-base Plus Slugging.” The formula for OPS is as follows:
OPS = OBP + SLGThe Components of OPS: On-base Percentage (OBP) and Slugging Percentage (SLG)
As mentioned earlier, OBP and SLG are the two primary components of OPS. Let’s take a closer look at each of these metrics.
On-base Percentage (OBP)
OBP refers to the percentage of plate appearances that result in the batter safely reaching base. This can be achieved via any of the following methods:
- Base hits (singles, doubles, triples, and home runs)
- Walks
- Hit by pitch
The formula for OBP is as follows:
OBP = (Hits + Walks + Hit by pitch) / (At-bats + Walks + Hit by pitch + Sacrifice flies)Slugging Percentage (SLG)
SLG measures the number of bases a player gets per at-bat, with extra weight given to extra-base hits such as doubles, triples, and home runs. The formula for SLG is as follows:
SLG = (Singles + (2 x Doubles) + (3 x Triples) + (4 x Home runs)) / At-batsThe Importance of OPS in Baseball Statistics
OPS has become a key metric for evaluating a player’s performance in modern baseball analysis. It is widely used by teams, analysts, and fans as a way to compare players across different teams and eras more accurately.
OPS is also useful because it takes into account both a player’s ability to get on base and their power at the plate. Traditional stats like batting average or home runs on their own do not provide as comprehensive a view of a player’s overall offensive performance as OPS does.
Calculating OPS: A Step-by-Step Guide
Although OPS can seem like a complex metric, calculating it is straightforward once you have OBP and SLG values. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Calculate OBP using the formula above.
- Calculate SLG using the formula above.
- Add OBP and SLG together to get OPS.
For example, if a player has an OBP of .400 and an SLG of .600, their OPS would be:
OPS = .400 + .600 = 1.000Additionally, OPS can be affected by external factors such as the ballpark a player plays in or the quality of the opposing pitchers they face. Therefore, it is important to consider OPS in conjunction with other metrics and factors when evaluating a player’s performance.
The History of OPS in Baseball
Now that we understand what OPS is and how it is calculated, let’s take a deeper look at its history.
Origins of OPS as a Baseball Metric
The earliest known use of the term “on-base plus slugging” dates back to a 1984 Chicago Tribune article by statistician John Thorn. However, the metric was not widely used until the 1990s when it began to gain popularity among sabermetricians.
One reason why OPS gained traction was that it provided a more comprehensive view of a player’s offensive performance than traditional stats like batting average or RBI. Sabermetricians were looking for new ways to evaluate players, and OPS fit the bill.
OPS is a simple equation that adds a player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG) together. OBP measures how often a player reaches base, while SLG measures how much power a player has. By combining these two stats, OPS gives a more well-rounded view of a player’s offensive abilities.
The Evolution of OPS Usage in Baseball Analysis
As the use of advanced metrics grew in baseball analysis, OPS became an increasingly important statistic. In the early 2000s, Major League Baseball officially recognized OPS as a statistic and began including it in official player evaluations.
Today, OPS is widely used by teams, analysts, and fans alike as a way to evaluate a player’s offensive performance. It is used in conjunction with other metrics such as Wins Above Replacement (WAR) to provide a more comprehensive view of a player’s overall value.
OPS has also led to the development of more advanced metrics, such as weighted on-base average (wOBA). wOBA takes into account the varying values of different offensive events (like singles, doubles, and home runs) and weights them accordingly. This provides an even more accurate view of a player’s offensive abilities than OPS alone.
Key Figures in the Development of OPS
Several key figures played a significant role in the development and popularization of OPS as an advanced metric. These include:
- John Thorn, who was the first to use the term “on-base plus slugging” in a baseball context.
- Bill James, who popularized the use of advanced analytics in baseball and helped popularize OPS. James is often referred to as the “father of sabermetrics.”
- Tom Tango, who developed the concept of weighted on-base average (wOBA), which is a more advanced version of OPS.
- The Oakland Athletics, who famously used advanced metrics (including OPS) to build a competitive team on a limited budget in the early 2000s. This approach was chronicled in the book and movie “Moneyball.”
OPS has revolutionized the way we evaluate offensive performance in baseball. It has led to a greater understanding of the game and has helped teams make more informed decisions when it comes to player evaluation and roster construction. As baseball continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see what new metrics and statistics emerge.
OPS in Modern Baseball
How OPS is Used by Teams and Analysts
OPS has become a mainstay of modern baseball analysis and is widely used by teams and analysts to evaluate player performance. It is a simple metric that combines a player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG) to give an overall measure of their offensive output. Teams use OPS to identify players who can help strengthen their offensive output, while analysts use it to assess player value and compare across different eras and teams.
OPS is particularly useful for identifying players who excel in both getting on base and hitting for power. A player with a high OBP but a low SLG may be a valuable contributor to a team’s offense, but they may not be as valuable as a player with a high OPS who is able to both get on base and hit for extra bases.
OPS and its Relationship to Other Advanced Metrics
While OPS is a useful metric, it is not perfect, and there are other advanced stats that can provide a more comprehensive view of a player’s offensive performance. One such metric is weighted on-base average (wOBA), which is similar to OPS but takes into account the varying values of each type of on-base event.
Additionally, OPS is not a good measure of a player’s defensive ability, baserunning skills, or overall value to their team. As such, it is often used in conjunction with other metrics like Wins Above Replacement (WAR) to provide a more complete picture of a player’s performance.
WAR is a complex metric that attempts to measure a player’s overall value to their team. It takes into account a player’s offensive and defensive contributions, as well as their baserunning and position on the field. While OPS can be a useful starting point for evaluating a player’s offensive performance, WAR provides a more comprehensive view of their overall value to their team.
Criticisms and Limitations of OPS
OPS has its fair share of criticisms and limitations. Some of the most common criticisms include:
- OPS oversimplifies a player’s performance by combining two metrics. It does not take into account the different ways in which a player can get on base, or the importance of moving runners over or stealing bases.
- OPS puts too much emphasis on SLG and doesn’t account for a player’s ability to steal bases or move runners. A player with a high OBP but a low SLG may be just as valuable as a player with a high OPS, but OPS would not reflect this.
- OPS doesn’t account for external factors such as ballpark dimensions, which can affect a player’s SLG and OBP values. A player who plays in a hitter-friendly ballpark may have inflated OPS numbers compared to a player who plays in a pitcher-friendly ballpark.
Despite these limitations, OPS remains a useful metric for evaluating a player’s offensive performance. When used in conjunction with other advanced metrics, it can provide a more complete picture of a player’s overall value to their team.
Notable OPS Achievements and Records
OPS, or On-Base Plus Slugging, is a statistic used in baseball to measure a player’s overall offensive performance. It combines a player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG) to create one number that represents their ability to get on base and hit for power.
All-Time OPS Leaders
Several players have achieved notable OPS values over the course of their careers. As of the end of the 2020 season, the following are the top ten all-time OPS leaders:
- Babe Ruth: 1.164
- Ted Williams: 1.116
- Barry Bonds: 1.051
- Lou Gehrig: 1.080
- Jimmie Foxx: 1.037
- Albert Pujols: .978
- Hank Greenberg: .965
- Manny Ramirez: .996
- Rogers Hornsby: .945
- Mark McGwire: .982
It’s no surprise to see names like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Barry Bonds at the top of this list. These players were known for their incredible ability to get on base and hit for power, making them some of the most feared hitters in baseball history.
Single-Season OPS Records
There have been several notable single-season OPS records throughout baseball history. Some of the most notable include:
- Barry Bonds, 2004: 1.422
- Babe Ruth, 1920: 1.379
- Ted Williams, 1941: 1.287
- Barry Bonds, 2002: 1.381
- Babe Ruth, 1921: 1.359
Barry Bonds holds three of the top five single-season OPS records, including the all-time record of 1.422 set in 2004. Babe Ruth also makes multiple appearances on this list, further solidifying his place as one of the greatest hitters of all time.
Memorable OPS Performances in Baseball History
Several players have put up memorable OPS performances throughout baseball history. Here are just a few examples:
- Ted Williams: In 1941, Williams became the last player to hit .400 for a season while also leading the league in both OBP (.553) and SLG (.735), resulting in an incredible OPS of 1.287. This feat has not been matched since.
- Barry Bonds: Bonds set the single-season OPS record with a ridiculous 1.422 mark in 2004, aided by an incredible 232 walks and a .609 OBP. His performance that season is considered by many to be one of the greatest offensive seasons in baseball history.
- Frank Thomas: In 1994, Thomas led the league with a 1.217 OPS while hitting .353 with 38 home runs and 101 RBIs, earning him the AL MVP award. His performance that season helped solidify his place as one of the greatest hitters of his era.
OPS is just one of many statistics used in baseball to measure a player’s performance, but it has become increasingly important in recent years as teams look for ways to gain a competitive edge. As the game continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how players continue to push the limits of what is possible with this important statistic.
Improving Your Own OPS
OPS, or on-base plus slugging percentage, is a statistic that combines a player’s ability to get on base and hit for power. Improving your OPS involves improving both your on-base percentage (OBP) and your slugging percentage (SLG). Here are some tips and strategies to help you increase both:
Tips for Increasing On-base Percentage
Improving your OBP involves improving your ability to get on base. Here are some tips to help you do just that:
- Practice patience at the plate and look for pitches you can handle. This means not swinging at every pitch, but waiting for one that you can hit well.
- Develop a better understanding of the strike zone and learn to lay off pitches outside of it. This will help you avoid swinging at bad pitches and increase your chances of getting on base.
- Work on improving your contact skills and hitting the ball where fielders aren’t positioned. This means practicing hitting to all fields and developing your ability to hit the ball where the defense isn’t expecting it.
- Consider focusing on aspects of your game such as bunting, batting with two strikes, and situational hitting. These skills can help you get on base in different ways and increase your overall OBP.
Strategies for Boosting Slugging Percentage
Improving your SLG involves improving your ability to hit for power and extra bases. Here are some tips to help you do just that:
- Develop your strength and power by incorporating weight training and other exercises into your routine. This will help you generate more power when you swing the bat.
- Focus on your swing mechanics and work on generating more bat speed. This means practicing your swing and working on your timing to generate more power.
- Practice hitting to all fields and working on your timing and pitch recognition. This will help you make solid contact with the ball and hit it with more power.
- Understand the importance of situational hitting and learn to recognize when to take extra bases or drive the ball deep into the outfield. This means being aware of the game situation and adjusting your approach accordingly.
Training and Drills to Enhance Your OPS
Finally, there are several training and drill strategies that can help improve your overall OPS:
- Incorporate strength and conditioning exercises into your routine to improve both your power and speed. This means doing exercises that will help you generate more power when you swing the bat and run faster on the bases.
- Develop your swing mechanics and work on generating more bat speed through repetitions and drills. This means practicing your swing and working on your timing to generate more power.
- Work on practicing situational hitting, including bunting, hitting with runners in scoring position, and driving in runs. This means practicing different scenarios and adjusting your approach accordingly.
- Familiarize yourself with newer technologies such as launch angle and exit velocity to gain a more in-depth understanding of how to generate hard contact and improve your overall OPS. This means using technology to analyze your swing and make adjustments to improve your performance.
By incorporating these tips and strategies into your training and practice routine, you can improve both your on-base percentage and slugging percentage, and ultimately increase your overall OPS.
Conclusion
OPS has become one of the most widely used advanced metrics in modern baseball, providing a comprehensive view of a player’s overall offensive performance. By combining On-base Percentage (OBP) and Slugging Percentage (SLG), OPS helps evaluate a player’s ability to get on base and hit for power. Although it has some limitations, teams, analysts, and fans widely use OPS to assess a player’s value and compare performances across different eras and teams. By incorporating tips and strategies for improving OBP and SLG, players can enhance their offensive output and work towards improving their OPS.
