OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging)

OPS combines two important batting statistics: On-Base Percentage (OBP) and Slugging Percentage (SLG) into a single number that effectively measures a hitter's overall offensive contribution.

The OPS Formula

OPS = On-Base Percentage + Slugging Percentage

For example:

• OBP: .350
• SLG: .500
• OPS: .350 + .500 = .850

Understanding the Components

On-Base Percentage (OBP)

How often a batter reaches base:

OBP = (Hits + Walks + HBP) ÷ (At Bats + Walks + HBP + Sacrifice Flies)

Slugging Percentage (SLG)

Total bases per at-bat:

SLG = Total Bases ÷ At Bats

(Single = 1, Double = 2, Triple = 3, Home Run = 4)

What's a Good OPS?

OPS Range	Rating
Above 1.000	Elite/MVP-level
.900-.999	Great
.800-.899	Above Average
.700-.799	Average
.600-.699	Below Average
Below .600	Poor

Why OPS Works

OPS is popular because:

• Easy to calculate: Just add two numbers
• Captures two skills: Getting on base AND hitting for power
• Predicts run production: Correlates well with team scoring
• Quick comparison: One number to compare hitters

OPS Limitations

OPS isn't perfect:

• Treats OBP and SLG equally (OBP is actually slightly more valuable)
• Doesn't account for speed or baserunning
• No context for ballpark or era
• OPS+ adjusts for these factors (100 = league average)