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Quote: Originally Posted by Mackrel829

I still feel like my question isn't being understood lol, though I appreciate the replies. On base percentage represents the frequency with which a batter reaches base, i.e. .350 means a batter reaches base 35% of the time. Slugging 'percentage' represents how many bases a player takes each time they are at bat, i.e. .500 means a batter takes half a base each time they are bat. I understand that OPS (which I mistakenly referred to as OBPS earlier) is used to illustrate how good a player is at hitting, but what does it actually represent as in the above examples? If a player has an OPS of .750, what does that mean? It doesn't mean he reaches base 75% of the time because that's OBP. It doesn't mean he takes three quarters of a base every at bat because that's slugging. What does that number actually represent? Or is the number ultimately arbitrary and only adopts meaning when placed on a scale or is compared with the numbers of other players? (I'm starting to think it's the latter)

You are correct on the 2nd one in that it’s usefulness is derived from the scale when compared to other players.

Like you mentioned, it is combining two opposing forms of calculations so when added together it cannot represent a single entity.

As others have said, it basically represents a “catch all” statistic that shows the best all around hitters so in theory, the higher the number when compared to others in the league, the better the number. Some years the leaders are in the 900s, some years in the 1,000s (1.000s to be exact).


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