ADVANCED STATISTICS
The averages that we have relied upon through the ages; Fielding, ERA, Batting and On Base, are certainly still as important to our game as they have ever been. However, today’s coaches are looking for more. The averages that are to be portrayed here have always been there but now we are learning how to put them to use.
SLUGGING AVERAGE
• Tells us who our power hitters are (the number 4s and 6s) • Counts the number of bases gained from base hits (including extra bases) Number of bases gained from safe hits X 1000 Number of times At Bat
Example: Double, Base on Balls, Single, Hit by a Pitch, 6–3, Fielders Choice, Home Run, Strikeout. 8 Plate Appearances, 3 Hits, 6 Times on Base, 6 At Bats, 7 Bases from hits (2 from the double, 1 from the single and 4 from the home run). Batting Average: 3 ÷ 6 x 1000 = 500 On Base Average: 6 ÷ 8 x 1000 = 625 Slugging Average: 7 ÷ 6 x 1000 = 1167
STRIKE PERCENTAGE
• Tells us if our pitchers are tiring or losing their form or if they can give us one more inning Strikes + Fouls X 100 Strikes + Balls + Fouls
Strike Percentage should lie in the range 60% to 80%. Once it drops into the fifties most coaches are reaching for the hook. Pitchers throwing consistently over 80%, unless they are exceptional, become predictable and usually when this happens the opposition quickly gets on top.
ABR AVERAGE (Advanced Base Runner)
• Tells us which of our batters are more successful with runners on base • Counts the number of bases advanced by runners due to this batter’s number Example: A Grand Slam gives a batter 4 RBIs and 6 ABRs (1 for the runner from 3rd, 2 for the runner from 2nd and 3 for the runner from 1st but none for the batter-runner themselves). ABRs X 1000 Plate Appearances
OTHER PITCHING STATS
HITS PER BATTERS FACED: Tells us how often the pitcher can be expected to give up a hit.
K2 AVERAGE: Tells us how often the pitcher can be expected to throw a strikeout.
BB AVERAGE: Tells us how often the pitcher can be expected to give up a walk.
OB 2X: Counts when a pitcher lets a batter on base after getting two strikes on them.
OTHER FIELDING STATS
TOUCHES (CHANCES): Compares fielders on errorless play even when an out is not made such as when a safe hit is fielded.
OTHER BATTING STATS
LOB AVERAGE: Tells us how successful we are at converting base runners into runs.