FantasyPros has put together a glossary of sabermetrics statistics for readers to reference. Deeper statistical analysis is being used by fantasy players more and more in daily and season-long leagues. We’re providing the glossary so that you can easily reference what the stats we use in our articles refer to and how they should be used for fantasy baseball purposes. Below we’ll take a look at OPS+.
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As most fantasy players know, OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) gives a firm depiction of the hitting value of a player. By computing both the rate that someone gets on base and adding the amount of bases that they accumulate when they are on base, observations can be made about the value hitting value of a player. OPS+ takes it a step further while providing as easily interpreted statistical output. Simply put, OPS+ normalizes OPS in terms of park effects and league metrics. It also provides a palatable scale that lets the reader know how good a player is in terms to league average. For example, if a player has an OPS+ of 268, the single-season record set in 2002 by Barry Bonds, that player is 168% better than the average player in 2002. On the other hand, if a player has an OPS+ of 75, that player is 25% worse than the average player in that season.
This does not have a lot of value inside of a season, but it is a vital statistic in pre-draft analysis and for dynasty formats. It basically shows if a player is or is not immune to splits or league bias. For example, Michael Cuddyer had an .805 OPS in 2011 with Minnesota and .806 OPS with Colorado in 2012, basically similar seasons on face value. Because of the depressed hitting in Minnesota and statistically inflated nature of Colorado, Cuddyer had a 120 OPS+ in 2011 and 102 OPS+ in 2012. OPS+ lets you know the truest value of a player, and is pivotal in assessing when a player is traded, especially if they are switching leagues or going from a pitcher’s park to a hitter’s park. It is not a statistic in any formats, as it is difficult to track on a weekly basis, but it is a vital tool in assessing players.
Chris Zolli is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Chris, check out his archive and follow him @thezman2010.