In the latest episode of the Hot Takedown podcast, aired on July 14, 2015, the hosts delve into three methods for evaluating baseball players’ batting performance: batting average, OPS (on-base plus slugging), and wRC+ (weighted runs created plus). Neil Paine, filling in for Kate and Chad, explains the advantages and limitations of each statistic. Batting average, the simplest measure, only accounts for hits per at-bat. OPS combines on-base percentage and slugging percentage, offering a more comprehensive view of a player’s offensive contribution. The most complex, wRC+, adjusts for park and league factors, providing a context-neutral evaluation of a player’s run creation. The discussion highlights how these metrics have changed the perception of players like Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies. The episode was pre-recorded due to scheduling conflicts.
Source: fivethirtyeight.com
