What Is OPS in Baseball, and Why Does It Matter?

Baseball is a sport rich in statistics and advanced metrics, helping teams and analysts evaluate player performance beyond basic numbers like batting average or home runs. One of the most commonly used modern stats is OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging).

But what is OPS in baseball, and why is it so important? If you’ve ever come across this term while watching a game or reading player statistics, you may wonder what it represents and how it influences the way we analyze baseball talent.

In this article, we’ll break down what OPS means, why it’s significant, how it is calculated, and what skills impact a player’s OPS. We’ll also discuss some precautions when using OPS as an evaluation tool, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of this crucial baseball metric.

What Is OPS in Baseball?

1. Definition of OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging)

OPS stands for On-Base Percentage (OBP) + Slugging Percentage (SLG). It is a metric used to evaluate a hitter’s ability to get on base and hit for power.

• On-Base Percentage (OBP) measures how often a player reaches base via hits, walks, or hit-by-pitches.
• Slugging Percentage (SLG) calculates the total number of bases a player accumulates per at-bat, emphasizing extra-base hits (doubles, triples, home runs).
• OPS combines both, providing a single number that reflects a player’s ability to both reach base and hit with power.

2. Formula for OPS

OPS is calculated as:OPS=OBP+SLGOPS = OBP + SLGOPS=OBP+SLG

Where:OBP=H+BB+HBPAB+BB+HBP+SFOBP = \frac{H + BB + HBP}{AB + BB + HBP + SF}OBP=AB+BB+HBP+SFH+BB+HBP​ SLG=TBABSLG = \frac{TB}{AB}SLG=ABTB​

Abbreviations:

• H = Hits
• BB = Walks (Base on Balls)
• HBP = Hit by Pitch
• AB = At-bats
• SF = Sacrifice Flies
• TB = Total Bases (1B + 2×2B + 3×3B + 4×HR)

By adding OBP and SLG together, OPS provides a comprehensive measure of a hitter’s overall offensive contributions.

Why Is OPS Important in Baseball?

1. OPS as a Performance Indicator

OPS is valuable because it balances two crucial aspects of hitting:

• Getting on base (OBP) – A player who reaches base frequently helps his team score more runs.
• Power hitting (SLG) – Players who can hit for extra bases drive in runs and advance teammates.

2. How OPS Ranks Players

OPS can categorize players into different levels of offensive ability:

A player with an OPS over .900 is typically an All-Star, while a player below .700 may struggle to stay in the lineup.

3. Comparing OPS to Other Stats

OPS is often preferred over batting average because it accounts for both power and on-base ability, giving a fuller picture of offensive value.

For example:

• A player hitting .300 with a .650 OPS might lack power or patience at the plate.
• Another player hitting .260 with a .900 OPS may be more valuable due to their ability to draw walks and hit for extra bases.

This is why modern baseball analytics favor OPS over traditional stats like batting average alone.

Background: The Evolution of OPS in Baseball

OPS gained popularity as advanced metrics became more widely accepted in baseball analysis.

1. The Rise of Sabermetrics

• Bill James and the “Moneyball” Era emphasized on-base percentage and power hitting, leading to OPS becoming a key metric in evaluating talent.
• Teams realized that OPS correlated strongly with run production, making it a reliable stat for predicting offensive success.

2. How MLB Teams Use OPS Today

• OPS is used in contract negotiations, as high OPS hitters are often more valuable than those with high batting averages but little power.
• Managers build lineups based on OPS, placing players with higher OPS in key positions to drive in runs.
• OPS is used for Hall of Fame evaluations, as legendary hitters typically have an OPS above .900.

Skills That Impact a Player’s OPS

Since OPS combines on-base ability and slugging, a player needs a balanced skill set to achieve a high OPS.

1. Plate Discipline (OBP Impact)

• Good eye for the strike zone – Avoiding bad pitches leads to more walks (BB).
• Patience at the plate – Selective hitters work deeper counts and increase their chances of reaching base.

2. Power Hitting (SLG Impact)

• Extra-base hitting – Doubles, triples, and home runs raise slugging percentage (SLG).
• Bat speed and strength – Power hitters tend to have higher slugging percentages.

3. Contact Ability (OBP + SLG Impact)

• Making solid contact increases the chances of both getting on base and hitting for power.
• Hitting line drives leads to more extra-base hits.

A perfect OPS player is someone who walks frequently and hits for power, making them a valuable offensive asset.

Precautions When Using OPS

While OPS is an excellent offensive metric, it does have some limitations.

1. It Ignores Speed and Baserunning

• Players with high stolen base numbers or great baserunning ability aren’t rewarded in OPS.
• Example: Ichiro Suzuki had a lower OPS compared to power hitters but was still an elite player due to his speed.

2. It Treats OBP and SLG Equally

• Some analysts argue OBP is more valuable than SLG, since getting on base directly leads to more runs.
• A player with a .400 OBP and .500 SLG might be more valuable than someone with a .300 OBP and .600 SLG, even if both have the same OPS (.900).

3. Ballpark Factors and League Trends

• Certain stadiums (like Coors Field) increase slugging numbers due to altitude, making OPS appear inflated.
• Dead-ball and live-ball eras affect OPS averages historically, requiring proper context.

While OPS is a strong indicator of offensive production, it should be used alongside other stats for a full picture of a player’s ability.

Final Thoughts

So, what is OPS in baseball, and why does it matter? OPS is a valuable stat that combines on-base percentage and slugging percentage, giving a complete picture of a player’s offensive contributions.

It has become a standard metric in modern baseball analytics, helping teams evaluate hitting talent, build lineups, and make contract decisions. While OPS is a powerful tool, it is best used in combination with other stats to fully understand a player’s value.

By understanding OPS and its impact, you can gain a deeper appreciation of the game and better evaluate which players contribute most to their team’s success.