Slugging Percentage
A measure of a batter's power, calculated as total bases divided by at-bats, weighing extra-base hits more heavily than singles.
Example Usage
“His .550 slugging percentage shows he's driving the ball with authority.”
Slugging Percentage
Slugging percentage (SLG) measures a batter's power by calculating total bases per at-bat. Unlike batting average, which treats all hits equally, slugging percentage values extra-base hits more than singles.
Slugging Percentage Formula
SLG = Total Bases ÷ At-Bats
Total Bases
- Single = 1 base
- Double = 2 bases
- Triple = 3 bases
- Home Run = 4 bases
What's a Good SLG?
| SLG Range | Rating |
|---|---|
| .550+ | Elite |
| .500-.549 | Excellent |
| .450-.499 | Above Average |
| .400-.449 | Average |
| .350-.399 | Below Average |
| Below .350 | Poor |
Why Slugging Matters
Slugging percentage reveals:
- Power potential: Extra-base hit ability
- Run production: More bases = more runs
- Quality of contact: Not just hitting, but driving
- Lineup impact: Power hitters change games
SLG vs. Batting Average
| Slugging | Batting Average |
|---|---|
| Weights extra bases | All hits equal |
| Power measurement | Contact measurement |
| Can exceed 1.000 | Maximum is 1.000 |
| Total bases focus | Hit/no-hit focus |
Example Calculation
Player has: 150 AB, 30 hits (15 singles, 10 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR)
- Total bases: 15(1) + 10(2) + 2(3) + 3(4) = 15 + 20 + 6 + 12 = 53
- SLG = 53 ÷ 150 = .353
Related Terms
OPS
On-base Plus Slugging, a combined statistic adding a batter's on-base percentage and slugging percentage to measure overall offensive value.
Batting Average
A statistic measuring how often a batter gets a hit per official at-bat, calculated by dividing hits by at-bats.
On-Base Percentage
The percentage of plate appearances where a batter reaches base safely via hit, walk, or hit by pitch, a key measure of a hitter's ability to avoid making outs.
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