Baseball is a numbers-driven sport, and understanding player stats is key to appreciating the game. One stat that has become essential for fans, analysts, and fantasy players is OPS in baseball. But what does OPS mean in baseball, and why has it become so important?
In this guide, you’ll learn how OPS works, how to calculate it, why it matters, and how it compares to other hitting stats. We’ll also give real MLB examples, tips for improving OPS, and strategies for using it in fantasy baseball.
What Is OPS in Baseball?
OPS in baseball stands for On-base Plus Slugging, a metric that combines a player’s ability to reach base with their hitting power.
- On-base Percentage (OBP) measures how often a player gets on base.
- Slugging Percentage (SLG) measures how many bases a player earns per at-bat.
- OPS = OBP + SLG
- Expressed as a decimal, OPS typically ranges from .600 (below average) to 1.000+ (elite).
OPS gives a complete view of offensive performance compared to traditional stats like batting average, which ignores walks and extra-base hits.
Breaking Down On-Base Percentage (OBP)
What OBP Measures
OBP is crucial for understanding OPS because it tells us how often a player avoids making outs:
- Formula: OBP = (H + BB + HBP) / (AB + BB + HBP + SF)
- H = Hits
- BB = Walks
- HBP = Hit by Pitch
- AB = At Bats
- SF = Sacrifice Flies
- H = Hits
Example OBP Calculation
A player with:
- 150 hits
- 60 walks
- 5 hit by pitch
- 500 at-bats
- 5 sacrifice flies
OBP = (150 + 60 + 5) / (500 + 60 + 5 + 5) = 215 / 570 ≈ .377
An OBP above .350 is considered very good; .400+ is excellent.
Breaking Down Slugging Percentage (SLG)
SLG measures hitting power, showing how many bases a player averages per at-bat:
- Formula: SLG = Total Bases / At Bats
- Total Bases Calculation:
- Single = 1 base
- Double = 2 bases
- Triple = 3 bases
- Home Run = 4 bases
- Single = 1 base
Example SLG Calculation
Player stats:
- 100 singles
- 30 doubles
- 5 triples
- 25 home runs in 500 at-bats
Total Bases = (100×1) + (30×2) + (5×3) + (25×4) = 275
SLG = 275 / 500 = .550
How OPS Is Calculated
OPS in baseball combines OBP and SLG:
- Using the examples above: OBP = .377, SLG = .550
- OPS = .377 + .550 = .927
An OPS near .800 is good, .900+ is excellent, and 1.000+ is superstar level.
Average OPS in MLB
To put OPS into perspective:
| OPS Range | Meaning |
| < .700 | Below average |
| .700–.799 | Average |
| .800–.899 | Good |
| .900+ | Excellent |
| 1.000+ | Elite |
OPS can vary by era and ballpark, so OPS+ is often used for adjusted comparisons.
Understanding OPS+
OPS+ in baseball normalizes OPS for league and park effects:
- Formula: OPS+ = 100 * (player OPS / league OPS)
- 100 = league average
- Above 100 = better than league average
- Below 100 = below average
Example: Player with OPS+ = 150 → 50% better than league average.
Comparing OPS with Other Stats
| Stat | Measures | Limitation |
| AVG | Hits per at-bat | Ignores walks & power |
| OBP | Ability to reach base | Ignores power |
| SLG | Hitting power | Ignores walks |
| OPS | Complete offensive value | Weights OBP & SLG equally |
Analysts often prefer OPS or OPS+ for player evaluation instead of AVG.
Top MLB Players by OPS
| Player | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
| Babe Ruth | .474 | .690 | 1.164 | 206 |
| Barry Bonds | .444 | .607 | 1.051 | 182 |
| Mike Trout | .418 | .572 | .990 | 172 |
| Aaron Judge | .402 | .612 | 1.014 | 180 |
These players demonstrate elite offensive skill combining OBP and SLG.
How OPS Helps Fantasy Baseball
OPS in baseball is extremely useful for fantasy baseball:
- Predicts home runs, RBIs, and runs scored
- Helps identify undervalued players with high OBP or SLG
- Useful for drafts and trades
Fantasy managers should look at OPS and OPS+ for a complete offensive profile.
Improving OPS as a Player
Tips to boost OPS in baseball:
- Improve plate discipline → more walks → higher OBP
- Increase power hitting → more extra-base hits → higher SLG
- Study pitchers to exploit weaknesses
- Focus on consistent contact and launch angle
Even small improvements in OBP or SLG can significantly raise OPS over a season.
Historical Evolution of OPS
- Developed in the 1980s–1990s during the sabermetrics revolution
- Combined the best of OBP and SLG into one stat
- Now widely used in MLB broadcasts, analytics, and fantasy leagues
Limitations of OPS
- OBP and SLG are weighted equally, although OBP may be more valuable
- Ignores defense, base running, and situational hitting
- Raw OPS can be skewed by ballparks; use OPS+ for adjustments
- Not predictive by itself; trends over multiple seasons are more reliable
How Fans Can Use OPS
Fans can use OPS in baseball to:
- Compare players across teams
- Evaluate trades, lineups, and draft picks
- Understand why high OBP hitters are valuable
- Appreciate players with unique skill sets (high OBP + moderate SLG)
Modern Analytics and OPS
OPS is often used alongside:
- wOBA → weights different types of hits
- WAR → overall player value
- BABIP → adjusts for luck and defense
OPS remains a foundational metric for quick offensive evaluation.
Conclusion: Why OPS Matters
OPS in baseball is more than a number. It captures getting on base and hitting for power in one stat. Whether for fantasy baseball, team evaluation, or casual fandom, understanding what does OPS mean in baseball makes watching the game richer and more insightful.
Use OBP, SLG, and OPS+ to evaluate players fairly, compare eras, and spot hidden talent.
FAQs: What Does OPS Mean in Baseball
- What does OPS mean in baseball?
OPS stands for On-base Plus Slugging, combining OBP and SLG to measure a hitter’s overall performance. - How is OPS calculated?
OPS = On-base Percentage (OBP) + Slugging Percentage (SLG). - What is a good OPS in MLB?
An OPS of .800+ is considered good, .900+ is excellent, and 1.000+ is elite. - What is OPS+ in baseball?
OPS+ adjusts OPS for league and park factors, with 100 being league average. - Why is OPS important in baseball?
OPS provides a more complete view of a player’s offensive contribution than batting average alone. - Does OPS account for walks?
Yes, OBP includes walks, which is a key component of OPS. - Can OPS compare players from different eras?
OPS+ allows fair comparisons across eras and ballparks. - Is OPS useful for fantasy baseball?
Yes, higher OPS indicates players likely to score more runs, RBIs, and home runs. - Can a player improve OPS easily?
Improving OBP, plate discipline, and extra-base hits can significantly boost OPS. - Are there limitations to OPS?
OPS doesn’t consider defense, base running, or situational hitting, and weights OBP and SLG equally.
