Baseball is a sport full of intricate stats and measurements. One of the key defensive metrics is fielding percentage or FPCT. Fielding percentage measures how well a defensive player completes plays compared to how many chances they had. A player’s fielding percentage is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by total chances.

What Counts As A Chance?

A defensive player is credited with a chance anytime a ball is hit or thrown in their direction and they have the opportunity to record an out. There are three main types of chances in baseball:

Putouts

A putout occurs when a fielder records an out by catching a batted ball, tagging a runner, or tagging a base to force an out. Each putout counts as one chance.

Assists

An assist is credited when a fielder throws or deflects the ball to another fielder who records a putout. Each assist counts as one chance.

Errors

An error is charged when a fielder misplays a ball and fails to record an out. Errors also count as chances.

So chances are calculated as:

Chances = Putouts + Assists + Errors

Why Fielding Percentage Matters

Fielding percentage measures a player’s reliability on defense. A high fielding percentage indicates a player successfully handles the majority of their fielding opportunities without mistakes. This consistency is extremely valuable, especially for positions like shortstop, second base, and first base where players get the most chances.

Fielding percentage doesn’t account for range or arm strength. However, it captures a player’s fielding fundamentals and concentration. Players with higher fielding percentages commit fewer mistakes that lead to extra bases and runs for the opposing team.

How Is Fielding Percentage Calculated?

The formula for fielding percentage is:

FPCT = (Putouts + Assists) / (Putouts + Assists + Errors)

The putouts, assists and errors included in the calculation are only for that player’s specific defensive position during that season. The number is stated out to three decimal places.

Here is an example calculation:

Player A (Shortstop)

Putouts: 237
Assists: 425
Errors: 18

FPCT = (237 + 425) / (237 + 425 + 18) = 662 / 680 = .974

This shortstop has a .974 fielding percentage.

League Averages By Position

Fielding percentage averages can vary widely between defensive positions. Here are the MLB position averages over the last decade:

First Basemen: .995
Second Basemen: .985
Third Basemen: .955
Shortstops: .973
Left Fielders: .983
Center Fielders: .985
Right Fielders: .991
Catchers: .991

As you can see, the corner infield positions of third base and first base have the lowest league averages. Those reactionary positions see the most chances and require quick reflexes and agility.

Outfielders tend to have the highest fielding percentage averages since they have more time to get in position to field balls. Catchers also rate very well due to fewer overall chances.

All-Time Records

Here are the best career fielding percentage averages in MLB history by position:

First Baseman – Kevin Youkilis (.997)
Second Baseman – Dustin Pedroia (.991)
Third Baseman – John Wehner (.984)
Shortstop – Troy Tulowitzki (.985)
Left Fielder – Yoenis Cespedes (.992)
Center Fielder – Rey Ordonez (.994)
Right Fielder – Ichiro Suzuki (.996)
Catcher – Mike Matheny (.994)

Many of these players were winners of the Gold Glove award for their defensive excellence at their position.

Importance of Sample Size

When evaluating fielding percentage, it’s important to consider the sample size of chances. A player who only saw a handful of chances in limited innings could post an artificially high or low fielding percentage.

For example, a first baseman with two putouts and no assists or errors would have a 1.000 FPCT. But that small sample shouldn’t be weighted equally with a full-time first baseman with 995 chances and a .997 mark.

Advanced defensive metrics like Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) and Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) account for playing time by standardizing chances over 150 games played. But FPCT offers a quick snapshot of reliability without getting into splitting hairs over defensive range.

Can Fielding Percentage Be Misleading?

While fielding percentage neatly summarizes a player’s consistency in the field, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Some limitations of fielding percentage include:

No accounting for range or mobility
Turning tough plays isn’t rewarded
Fails to consider degree of difficulty
Doesn’t include catching runners stealing

For example, Player A and Player B both play shortstop. Here are their fictional FPCT and performance:

Player A:

FPCT: .982
Sure-handed on routine plays
Limited range, fails to get to many balls

Player B:

FPCT: .970
Makes occasional errors trying to rob hits
Covers tons of ground, spectacular plays

By FPCT alone, Player A seems superior. But advanced metrics would show Player B has more defensive value with their athleticism and playmaking ability.

While useful, fielding percentage requires context like range factor, positional adjustments, and viewing highlights to get a full evaluation.

Changes in the Game

Fielding percentage league averages tend to fluctuate slightly season to season. But over decades, the averages have improved across all positions.

Here are some factors that have contributed to higher fielding percentages in the modern MLB era:

Better fielding gloves and equipment
Advances in field design and groundkeeping
Increased fitness and athleticism of players
Shifts and positioning data
Focus on fundamentals in training

In the early 1900s, shortstops managed around a .920 FPCT average, committing nearly 80 errors a season. Today the average shortstop posts nearly .980, with elite fielders reaching up to .990 over a full season.

While the basics of fielding percentage stay constant, defensive capabilities evolve over time.

How Fielding Percentage Is Used

Here are some ways fielding percentage is utilized:

Comparing players at the same position
Identifying weak links in the defense
Historic benchmarks and records
Weighing defensive ability vs. offensive output
Advanced metrics incorporating FPCT component
Gold Glove, Fielding Bible Awards consideration
Arbitration and contract negotiation factors

While not a sole deciding factor, fielding percentage holds weight in arbitration cases for a player’s perceived defensive value. The statistic is also widely available on mainstream stat sheets, making it accessible for all types of fans.

Its simplicity offers a straightforward metric. Fielding percentage should be cross-checked with other defensive ratings, but undeniably belongs in the baseball toolkit.

Hall of Fame Fielders With High FPCT

Several elite glovemen with standout fielding percentages have been enshrined in Cooperstown. Here are some Hall of Famers known for defensive excellence:

Ozzie Smith – Shortstop nicknamed “The Wizard of Oz” for his dazzling ability at short. 13-time Gold Glover with a career .978 FPCT. His athleticism and acrobatic style made him a joy to watch. Despite average hitting, Smith sailed into the Hall of Fame thanks to his stellar defense.

Greg Maddux – Won a record 18 Gold Gloves as a pitcher. Maddux had a career .980 FPCT with only 37 errors over 23 seasons. He took pride in his fielding, playing a key role in defending bunts and comebackers. Maddux could even snag sharply hit liners right back to the mound. His quick reflexes saved many runs.

Roberto Clemente – One of the greatest defensive right fielders ever. Had a powerful throwing arm along with grace tracking down balls. His career .973 FPCT stands out even more considering he played in the 1960s/70s era of artificial turf and spacious Forbes Field. Clemente won 12 Gold Gloves, a standard of outfield excellence.

Ivan Rodriguez – “Pudge” was a defensive wizard behind the plate. He owns the record for most games caught at 2,427. His career .994 FPCT is phenomenal for a catcher. A 14-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove winner. Rodriguez had a cannon arm, superb mechanics, and intelligence calling games.

While these legends were far more than just defensive standouts, their fielding ability cemented their greatness. High FPCTs reflected countless runs saved, double plays turned, and rallies cut short. Their glovework remains dazzling decades later and, in many cases, unmatched.

Fielding Percentage Fluctuations

Fielding percentages can vary significantly from season to season based on several factors:

Health – Injuries like hand, wrist, and finger ailments can lower fielding consistency and comfort level handling chances. Leg injuries slowing range also increase errors.

Age/Experience – Younger players adapting to MLB play often have lower FPCTs than veterans. But older players may see declines as athleticism fades. Prime ages like 27-32 are key fielding years.

Position Switches – Moving to a new position mid-season or between seasons requires an adjustment period learning angles and positioning. This transition can depress FPCT temporarily.

Offensive Slumps – When mired in an offensive skid, players tend to carry that frustration into the field, losing focus resulting in lapses.

Team Defense – Shaky pitching or porous infield/outfield defense allows more balls in play and tougher chances, dragging down FPCTs.

Ballpark Factors – Playing on artificial turf or with specific field configurations/dimensions or weather patterns can affect FPTD consistency.

Mitigating these factors leads to better defensive stability. Getting healthy, mastering fundamentals, and focusing mentally are keys to cutting down on fielding slumps.

Impacts of Glove Use

The evolution of baseball gloves has influenced fielding percentages significantly:

Early gloves – First Baseman Doug Allison is credited with using the first glove in 1870. It was a basic leather workman’s glove to protect hands. But even these primitive gloves gave players more confidence to attempt catching hard shots.

Webbing – By the 1920s and 30s, Bill Doak and other inventors incorporated webbing between fingers, which expanded the catching surface area. This supported higher FPCTs.

Finger stalls – Single finger stalls were popular in the 1920s before Rawlings perfected finger compartments in gloves. This stabilized each finger in the mitt for cleaner handling of chances.

Padding – Additional palm padding added protection as gloves evolved from thin leather to multilayered cushioning in high-impact areas.

Materials – Synthetic materials like vinyl and nylon increased durability and flexibility. This improved closing speeds and grip security when catching balls. Modern performance mesh and leather provide light weight gloves with strength.

Size – Baseman’s mitts got significantly bigger to scoop throws in the dirt. Outfielder gloves shrunk for greater range of motion tracking fly balls.

While training, positioning and fundamentals drive fielding excellence, gloves play an enormous role in advancing fielding percentage to modern highs.

Defensive Shifts Influencing FPCT

The rise of defensive shifts based on spray chart data has transformed position alignments. How do shifts impact fielding percentage?

Range Increase – Shaded to pull side gives infielders more time to react and reach more balls. This expands FPCT chances.

New Positions – Four-man outfields and players out of typical spots alter traditional FPCT chances at each spot.

Decreased Responsibility – With fielders bunched up, there are fewer gaps to cover. Less ground to protect concentrates chances.

Baserunning Changes – Shifts trap pulled grounders for automatic outs. But they allow more opposite field hits that can take extra bases.

Routine Play Disruptions – When hitters go against the shift, fielders out of position struggle to make awkward off-balance plays.

Mental Mistakes – Shifting several times a game can lead to communication errors and missed assignments affecting FPCT.

While shifts take away favored hitting directions, they present new challenges influencing fielding percentage. Teams weigh positioning advantages against mental strain and fundamentals alteration when shifting aggressively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fielding percentage gives a handy snapshot of a player’s fundamental defensive ability. It displays their consistency handling chances without errors and mental lapses. While range, arm strength, and other skills complete the picture, fielding percentage conveys a fielder’s reliability over a season. By dividing putouts and assists by total chances, fielding percentage reveals a player’s development and standing relative to peers. It also hints at defensive trends and eras, showing evolution in fundamentals. With context, fielding percentage remains a useful tool for evaluation and appreciation of baseball defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who has the best career fielding percentage in MLB history?

A: Shortstop Omar Vizquel holds the MLB record for best career fielding percentage at .985 over 24 seasons.

Q: Which positions have the highest fielding percentage averages?

A: Catcher, right field, and center field tend to have the highest FPCT averages, while third base and first base typically have the lowest averages.

Q: Do fielding percentage records weigh heavily for Hall of Fame voting?

A: While defensive abilities are considered for the Hall of Fame, fielding percentage alone is not a major factor compared to offensive stats and awards. Longevity and reputation as an elite glove still hold significance.

Q: How can you compare fielding percentage between positions?

A: Comparing FPCT directly between positions is difficult since each position has vastly different chance totals. Looking at ranking and ratio to position average gives a better cross-position comparison.

Q: Has fielding percentage increased or decreased over time?

A: Over decades, fielding percentage has gradually increased across all positions. Glove technology, field quality, and defensive fundamentals training have contributed to this increase.