Baseball is a game full of intricate rules and statistics. One statistic that is tracked for outfielders is the outfield assist, or OFA. An outfield assist (OFA) in baseball occurs when an outfielder throws the ball to another fielder to record an out on a baserunner.
Outfield assists demonstrate an outfielder’s strong and accurate throwing arm as well as good awareness and quick reaction time on defense. Let’s take a deeper look at what constitutes an OFA and why it’s an important statistic for outfielders.
What Qualifies as an Outfield Assist?
For an outfield assist to be recorded, a few criteria must be met. First, the outfielder must field a batted ball hit to the outfield. They cannot receive the ball from another fielder. Second, they must throw the ball to a fielder who then records an out on a baserunner, whether it’s at a base or tagging up on a fly ball. Simply throwing the ball back to the infield doesn’t count. And third, the outfielder must be positioned in fair territory when they field the ball. If they have to chase down a ball in foul territory before making the throw, it won’t qualify as an OFA.
The most common types of outs recorded due to outfield assists are runners being tagged out while trying to advance an extra base on a hit, runners being thrown out at home plate trying to score, and runners being doubled off a base after a fly out is caught. As long as the outfielder fielded the ball in fair territory, made an accurate throw, and the out was recorded, they will be credited with an outfield assist.
Why Outfield Assists Matter
There are several reasons why the outfield assist is an important statistic to evaluate outfield defense:
- Arm Strength – Recording an outfield assist requires having a strong throwing arm to make long and accurate throws. Outfielders with high assist numbers typically have above-average arm strength.
- Throwing Accuracy – Not only must outfielders be able to throw far, but they must deliver the ball with precision to the fielder making the out. Outfielders who can consistently hit the cutoff man or catcher’s glove have good control with their throws.
- Awareness – Knowing the situation and being heads-up to try and catch trailing runners helps outfielders record more assists. Keeping tabs on how many outs there are and where the runners are is key.
- Quick Reaction – The faster outfielders can field the ball cleanly and get rid of it, the better chance they have of catching runners before they advance too far. Having quick reaction time leads to more assists.
- Preventing Extra Bases – When outfielders cut down runners trying to stretch singles into doubles or doubles into triples, they save their team from giving up extra-base hits. Outfield assists limit opponents’ ability to be aggressive on the basepaths.
Overall, a high number of outfield assists indicates an active defender with strength, accuracy, awareness, quickness, and confidence in their throwing ability. Assists help prevent runners from taking extra bases and save runs from scoring.
Tracking Outfield Assists
Outfield assists became an official stat in MLB starting in the 1954 season. Prior to that, assists were lumped together with putouts as total chances for fielders. Since 1954, MLB has tracked OFA separately for each individual outfield position – left field, center field, and right field. Assists are included in fielding stats on player profiles on websites like Baseball Reference and FanGraphs.
Teams also track assists and other defensive metrics internally as they evaluate players. Scouts watch for outfielders in the minor leagues who have the skillset to rack up assists at the major league level. Typically, right fielders account for more assists than center and left fielders due to the nature of most hitters being right-handed.
Advanced defensive statistics like Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs Saved also factor outfield assists into a player’s overall defensive value rating. Assists alone don’t tell the whole story, but combined with other metrics can give a well-rounded evaluation of an outfielder’s abilities.
MLB Leaders in Outfield Assists
Let’s look at some of the MLB outfielders who have recorded the highest number of career assists:
- Roberto Clemente – Clemente had a legendary right arm in right field for the Pirates from 1955-1972. He amassed 213 career outfield assists, leading his league twice.
- Jesse Barfield – Active from 1981-1992 with the Blue Jays and Yankees, Barfield’s powerful arm resulted in 189 outfield assists. His total of 22 assists in 1985 has only been topped once since.
- Al Kaline – Over 22 seasons with the Tigers from 1953-1974, Kaline gunned down 157 runners from the outfield while winning 10 Gold Glove awards.
- Dave Parker – The 1970s Pirates outfielder had a cannon for an arm, leading the league with 26 assists in 1977 on his way to 144 for his career.
- Ichiro Suzuki – With unmatched hand-eye coordination and a strong arm, Ichiro has recorded 127 outfield assists so far in MLB as of 2023, the most among active players.
Some single-season assist records:
- Most Assists by Left Fielder – 28, Bob Dillinger, St. Louis Browns, 1948
- Most Assists by Center Fielder – 44, Taylor Douthit, St. Louis Cardinals, 1928
- Most Assists by Right Fielder – 31, Dave Parker, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1977
Clearly it takes a special blend of skills and physical ability to rack up high assist totals from the outfield year-in and year-out.
Famous Outfield Throwing Arms
A few players stand out for possessing some of the greatest outfield throwing arms in baseball history:
Yasiel Puig
Early in his career with the Dodgers, Puig unleashed crazy long-distance throws from the outfield thanks to elite arm strength. His theatrics and aggressive style earned him the nickname “The Wild Horse.”
Yoenis Cespedes
Another Cuban player like Puig, Cespedes has wowed fans with his powerful throws, once launching a ball 106 mph from the outfield on a fly to nail a runner at the plate.
Bo Jackson
The multi-sport star athlete had a legendary arm across football and baseball. His throws came in so fast they made the catcher’s mitt pop.
Vladimir Guerrero
Guerrero had a canon for an arm from right field, able to hit the catcher on the fly at home plate from more than 300 feet away. He once nailed a runner at third base from his knees.
Jim Edmonds
Edmonds covered tremendous ground in center field thanks to blazing speed and wasn’t afraid to unleash throws to any base. He led NL center fielders in assists from 1997-99.
Factors That Limit Outfield Assists
While a good throwing arm certainly helps rack up outfield assists, there are some factors that limit assist opportunities:
- The trend in modern baseball of hitters aiming to hit more fly balls and fewer ground balls means there are less hard-hit balls reachable for outfielders.
- Teams use defensive shifts much more often now, positioning fielders in optimal spots to decrease hits and increase chances of recording outs.
- Teams emphasize baserunning conservatively more than aggression on the paths to avoid outs on the bases.
- Pitchers strive for more strikeouts and allow less contact that would result in balls put in play.
- Teams install better radar-tracking technology to help evaluate outfield throwing skill, acting as a deterrent against runners trying to take extra bases.
Due to these evolutions in baseball strategy, players have a tougher time racking up extremely high assist totals compared to past eras when hitters had different approaches.
Outfield Assists and Holding Runners
One strategic aspect of recording outfield assists is the ability to limit opposing baserunners from taking extra bases. The threat of a strong throwing arm in the outfield can deter runners from being aggressive and cutting down on scoring chances.
Outfielders with high assist totals and reputations for standout throwing ability give pause to baserunners who normally may try to go first to third on a single, score from second on a base hit, or advance two bases on a fly ball. For example,during his heyday Vladimir Guerrero recorded 17 outfield assists for the Expos in 1998. After a few seasons of seeing his cannon of a throwing arm, opponents were more hesitant to test Guerrero. His assists steadily declined but his reputation kept runners from taking liberties.
Teams keep detailed scouting reports on outfield throwing arms. Third base coaches have to respect who is out there and be selective about sending runners home. Players like Ichiro Suzuki and Yoenis Cespedes have such strong, accurate arms that third base coaches need a perfect storm of circumstances to wave a runner in. Outfielders who can consistently hit the relay man or strike the catcher’s glove on the fly make opponents think twice.
Coaches also remind baserunners during practice and with signs to be aware of who is in the outfield that day. Similar to the deterrent effect of having an elite defensive catcher with a 50% caught stealing rate, some outfield arms are simply too potent to run on. Stats don’t fully capture the benefit of their presence. So while assists are impressive, even the perceived threat of an outfielder’s throwing ability can limit runs.
Outfield Assists and Pitching Strategy
Pitchers on the mound can also play a role in contributing to outfield assists. Some pitchers specifically pitch to contact and generate weaker bloopers or grounders that outfielders have a better chance of reaching. Fly ball pitchers also produce more outs and assists from the outfield naturally as outfielders track down their fly balls.
Pitchers who consistently work inside to hitters or jam them force more balls to be hit to the opposite field. This gives the left and right fielders increased assist opportunities than if pitches are always on the outer half leading to pulled balls. Hurlers who limit walks and deep hits also keep more men on base for potential assists when contact is made.
Knowing the pitching staff’s approach can help outfielders position themselves in spots to contribute more assists. Playing a bit shallower, cheating towards alleys, or adjusting side to side can set up better throwing chances based on a pitcher’s tendencies. Communication between pitchers and outfielders fosters this awareness.
Some former pitchers like Bob Lemon and Stan Musial, who each recorded over 120 outfield assists in their careers, attributed their high assist totals in part to understanding pitch strategy as former hurlers. Pitching knowledge assisted their positioning for throws. In today’s game with more specialized bullpen roles, the starting outfielders have to adjust each inning to the unique style of the reliever on the mound.
Right Field vs. Left Field Assists
Based on most hitters being right-handed, right fielders account for more total career assists than left fielders. According to Baseball Reference data, of the top 50 MLB career leaders in outfield assists, 34 were predominately right fielders, 15 left fielders, and only one center fielder. Since slap hitters typically face away from the plate and swing late, they tend to hit more balls to right field. Right fielders also make throws to third base more often than left fielders resulting in more bang-bang plays.
However, in a given season the assist leaderboard can be more balanced between left and right field or led by a left fielder. While right field sees more overall action, teams sometimes place their best fielder with the strongest arm in left field depending on the home ballpark dimensions. At Fenway Park, playing a skilled left fielder who can handle the Green Monster scores of doubles is crucial. Some speedy batters also hit more left field line drives. Season by season opportunities ebb and flow all over the outfield.
Center fielders rarely lead the majors in assists, with Willie Mays in 1958 the last CF to do so. But elite throwing center fielders like Mays, Jim Edmonds, and Paul Blair could run down more balls in the gaps and still fire laser throws home. Modern analytic positioning has somewhat reduced the deep rangy territory covered by traditional center fielders as well. Regardless of spot, the combination of athleticism and arm strength required for high assist totals remains the same.
Web Gems and Outfield Assists
One final aspect around outfield assists is their prominence on highlight reels. Fans love seeing the top web gem worthy throws on nightly recaps because few plays bring more excitement. When a batter laces a ball to the gap but the outfielder tracks it down and unleashes a powerful, accurate bullet to throw out the runner, it’s one of baseball’s most thrilling moments.
Outfield assists also involve high athleticism and drama. The outfielder has to react instantly off the crack of the bat, turning and running full speed to field the ball on the move. They have to glove it cleanly, brace and balance their momentum, set their feet if possible, and make an off-balance throw look routine. When a daring runner tries to score but the throw from the outfield beats them by a hair, it’s edge-of-your-seat entertainment.
Slow motion replays that showcase the outfielder releasing the ball, the graceful arc and pop in the catcher’s glove, and the umpire emphatically calling the runner out paint the picture. Announcers add context on the runner’s speed, the outfielder’s throwing strength, and the consequences of the play. Fans see the physical talents on display and gain appreciation for the outfielder’s efforts.
Outfielders also express visible emotion after completing the impressive assist. They might pump a fist, point skyward, or celebrate with teammates. For all these reasons, the outfield assist lands more regularly among the top plays of the night across baseball.
Key Takeaways
- An outfield assist occurs when an outfielder fields a batted ball in fair territory and throws out a baserunner for an out.
- Assists demonstrate an outfielder’s arm strength, accuracy, awareness, quick reaction time, and ability to prevent extra-base hits.
- Roberto Clemente holds the MLB career record with 213 outfield assists.
- Great throwing arms like Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, and Bo Jackson could fire screaming throws from the outfield.
- Modern trends like defensive shifts and lack of contact limit assist opportunities compared to past generations.
Tracking outfield assists gives fans and analysts one metric to quantify an often hard-to-measure skill – the outfield throwing arm. While not the only indicator of defensive ability, assists provide important insight into an outfielder’s total game impact. Outfielders with both impressive assist totals and overall defensive ratings undoubtedly give their teams a huge edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many outfield assists are considered good?
The amount of outfield assists can vary greatly each season and depend on opportunity, but generally 10-15 assists is solid production. The league leaders each year typically record 15-25 assists. Anything above 20 assists is an excellent total.
Has an outfielder ever won a Gold Glove with zero assists?
Yes, it is possible for outfielders to win a Gold Glove without recording any assists in that season. For example, Carlos Beltran accomplished this feat in 2006 and 2008. Gold Gloves are voted on by managers and coaches who consider many factors beyond just one statistic.
Do outfield assists automatically mean the outfielder has a strong arm?
Not necessarily. Some assists occur because of poor baserunning rather than the outfielder having an elite arm. However, leading the league consistently in assists does require possessing well above-average arm strength and accuracy.
Why don’t teams station outfielders in spots to maximize assists?
While an occasional assist is great, teams don’t want outfielders constantly trying to gun out runners and allowing more hits to drop in front of them. Positioning for more assists could diminish range and reduce fly ball outs, resulting in more runs allowed overall.
Do outfielders practice making throws to improve their assists?
Yes, outfielders routinely practice throwing mechanics and do drills with the coaching staff to improve their throwing accuracy and arm strength. Reading angles off the bat and setting their feet quickly to throw are common points of emphasis.
Conclusion
The outfield assist may seem like a simple statistic on the surface, but it carries deeper meaning. Assists demonstrate the polished skills of awareness, quick reaction time, strong and precise throwing, and heads-up hustle required for standout defense. While modern baseball may produce fewer opportunities, the outfielders who maintain high assist totals in the game today remain elite. Whether throwing out runners trying to take extra bases, nailing tag ups at home plate, or catching opponents asleep and doubling them off, the outfield assist is one of baseball’s most exciting displays of defensive skill.
