1. What is On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS)?

OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging) is a baseball statistic that combines a player's on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). It provides a comprehensive measure of a player's overall offensive contribution by measuring both their ability to get on base and their power hitting.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the OPS formula:

Where:

• \( OBP \) — On-base percentage (hits + walks + hit by pitch) / (at bats + walks + hit by pitch + sacrifice flies)
• \( SLG \) — Slugging percentage (total bases) / (at bats)

Explanation: OPS combines two important offensive metrics to give a more complete picture of a player's offensive value than either statistic alone.

3. Importance of OPS Calculation

Details: OPS is widely used by baseball analysts and teams to evaluate player performance. It correlates well with run production and is considered one of the best simple offensive metrics available.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter OBP and SLG as decimal values (e.g., 0.350 for .350). Both values must be valid (OBP between 0-1, SLG between 0-4 typically).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered a good OPS?
A: Generally, an OPS above .800 is good, above .900 is excellent, and above 1.000 is outstanding. League average typically ranges from .700-.750.

Q2: How does OPS compare to other offensive metrics?
A: While not as advanced as metrics like wOBA or wRC+, OPS is simple to calculate and provides a good quick assessment of offensive value.

Q3: Are there limitations to OPS?
A: OPS treats OBP and SLG as equally valuable, though OBP is generally more valuable in terms of run creation. It also doesn't account for park factors or league context.

Q4: Can OPS be used to compare players across eras?
A: While OPS can be used for historical comparisons, it's important to consider the offensive environment of different eras as league averages vary significantly.

Q5: How is OPS different from OPS+?
A: OPS+ adjusts a player's OPS for park factors and league average, with 100 being league average. It provides better context for comparing players across different environments.