OPS Calculator
The ultimate offensive metric: On-Base Plus Slugging
What is OPS?
OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging) is a baseball statistic that combines a player's ability to get on base with their power hitting. It's calculated by simply adding On-Base Percentage (OBP) and Slugging Percentage (SLG) together.
Despite its simplicity, OPS has become one of the most popular metrics in modern baseball because it correlates extremely well with run production and overall offensive value.
The OPS Formula
OPS = OBP + SLG
Example: A player with .350 OBP and .450 SLG:
.350 + .450 = .800 OPS
OPS Performance Benchmarks
Understanding what constitutes a "good" OPS is essential for evaluating players:
- 1.000+ (MVP Caliber): Elite, historically great performance. Only the best hitters sustain this over a full season. Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Barry Bonds lived here.
- .900+ (All-Star): Excellent offensive production. These players are among the best hitters in the league.
- .800+ (Good): Above average hitter who contributes positively to the lineup.
- .730 (League Average): The typical MLB hitter falls around this mark.
- .600-.730 (Below Average): Struggling offensively; needs elite defense to justify playing time.
- Below .600 (Poor): Major league minimum. Players at this level are usually sent down or released.
Why OPS is the Gold Standard
Before OPS, fans often argued whether batting average or home runs mattered more. OPS settled the debate by combining both reaching base AND hitting for power into one number.
While more advanced metrics like wRC+ and WAR exist, OPS remains popular because:
- It can be calculated on a napkin (just add two numbers)
- It correlates very well with actual run production
- It's easy to understand and compare players
OPS vs OPS+
OPS+ is an adjusted version that accounts for ballpark factors and league averages. An OPS+ of 100 is always league average. A 150 OPS+ means the player is 50% better than average. This makes it easier to compare players across different eras or home stadiums.
Related Calculators
To calculate OPS, you first need OBP and SLG:
- OBP Calculator: Calculate On-Base Percentage from hits, walks, at-bats, and more.
- Slugging Percentage Calculator: Calculate SLG from total bases and at-bats.
- Batting Average Calculator: The classic hitting metric for comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OPS in baseball?
OPS stands for On-Base Plus Slugging. It is a statistic that combines a player's ability to get on base (OBP) with their ability to hit for power (SLG). It provides a quick and comprehensive snapshot of offensive production.
How is OPS calculated?
The formula is very simple: OPS = OBP + SLG. If a player has a .350 OBP and a .450 SLG, their OPS is .800.
What is a good OPS?
An OPS around .730 is league average. An OPS above .800 is good. Above .900 is All-Star level. Above 1.000 is elite MVP-caliber performance.
What is OPS+?
OPS+ adjusts a player's OPS for their ballpark and the league average. An OPS+ of 100 is always average. 150 means the player is 50% better than average. OPS+ is better for comparing players across different eras or stadiums.
Why is OPS better than batting average?
Batting average only measures how often a player gets a hit. OPS captures both getting on base (including walks) AND power hitting. Studies show OPS correlates much better with run production than batting average alone.
Calculate OPS
Enter OBP and SLG values