WHIP (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched)

WHIP measures how many baserunners a pitcher allows per inning, calculated by adding walks and hits, then dividing by innings pitched. It's a simple but effective way to gauge a pitcher's ability to limit baserunners.

The WHIP Formula

WHIP = (Walks + Hits) ÷ Innings Pitched

For example, if a pitcher has 40 walks and 160 hits over 200 innings:

• 40 + 160 = 200
• 200 ÷ 200 = 1.00 WHIP

What's a Good WHIP?

WHIP Range	Rating
Below 1.00	Elite
1.00-1.10	Excellent
1.10-1.25	Above Average
1.25-1.40	Average
1.40-1.50	Below Average
Above 1.50	Poor

Why WHIP Matters

WHIP is useful because:

• Simple to calculate: Just walks, hits, and innings
• Baserunners lead to runs: Limiting traffic on the bases limits scoring
• Complements ERA: A pitcher can have a low ERA but high WHIP (and vice versa)
• Easy to understand: Lower is always better

WHIP Limitations

WHIP doesn't account for:

• Hit batters (they're baserunners too!)
• Quality of contact (hard hits vs. soft hits)
• Home runs (major damage but only count as one "hit")
• Errors and defensive plays

All-Time WHIP Leaders

Elite WHIP seasons are rare:

• Pedro Martínez (2000): 0.737 WHIP
• Mariano Rivera: 1.00 career WHIP
• Any WHIP under 1.00 for a season is exceptional