Have you ever been watching a baseball game and heard the announcer throw around terms like “OPS” as if everyone just automatically knows what it means? I know I have—and it made me curious. Baseball is full of numbers, but OPS in baseball has become one of the most important stats for measuring a player’s value.
What Does OPS in Baseball Mean?
OPS stands for On-base Plus Slugging. It combines two key stats—on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG)—into one number. This makes it easier to see how well a player gets on base and how powerful their hits are.
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On-base percentage (OBP): Shows how often a player reaches base through hits, walks, or being hit by a pitch.
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Slugging percentage (SLG): Measures the power of a hitter by showing how many total bases they earn per at-bat.
When you add OBP + SLG together, you get OPS. The higher the OPS, the more valuable the hitter usually is.
Why Is OPS Important?
Baseball is all about scoring runs, and OPS is one of the best stats to predict which players can create them. Unlike older stats that only look at batting average, OPS gives a bigger picture.
Here are some interesting facts about OPS:
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A player with an OPS of .900 or higher is usually considered excellent.
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League averages change by year, but typically, a .750 OPS is average.
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OPS has become so popular that some people now look at OPS+, which adjusts the number based on ballparks and eras, making comparisons fairer.
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Many modern teams rely on OPS when deciding contracts or trades.
How Is OPS Calculated?
It might sound complicated, but the math is pretty straightforward.
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Calculate OBP: (Hits + Walks + Hit by Pitch) ÷ (At-bats + Walks + Hit by Pitch + Sacrifice Flies).
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Calculate SLG: (Total Bases ÷ At-bats).
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Add them together: OBP + SLG = OPS.
For example, if a player has a .360 OBP and a .500 SLG, their OPS would be .860. That’s above average and shows they’re a strong offensive player.
OPS Compared to Other Stats
OPS stands out because it balances patience at the plate with power hitting. Batting average only shows how often a player gets a hit, but it ignores walks and extra-base hits.
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Batting Average (BA): Good for measuring contact, but limited.
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Home Runs: Flashy, but doesn’t show overall hitting ability.
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OPS: Combines everything—contact, walks, and power.
This is why OPS is loved by analysts and fans who want a simple but effective measure of offense.
Personal Insight
I remember the first time I looked at a player’s OPS—it was during a conversation with a friend who’s a die-hard baseball stats guy. At first, the number didn’t mean much, but once he broke it down, I realized how useful it is. Now, whenever I watch a game, checking OPS helps me understand why certain players get so much praise.
Wrapping It Up
OPS in baseball is a powerful stat that blends on-base skills and slugging power into one easy number. It’s simple to calculate, easy to understand, and tells us a lot about how a hitter helps their team score.
Next time you watch a game, take a peek at the OPS—does it change how you see the players? Share your thoughts in the comments!