Joe Pos' guide to offensive stats, aka 'The first thing every new TC'er should read'

Joe Pos does one of the best jobs I've seen supporting the case for advanced stats. He explains some of the big ones and uses batting average as a case for why the traditional stats leave a lot to be desired.

This article might be the clearest, best explanation I've seen -- not surprising considering it's from maybe the best baseball writer around. It should be required reading for TC membership

h/t goes to BtBS.

about 1 year ago Doghnut 10 comments 3 recs |

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This is a great overview,

and I agree that everyone who is confused by some of these stats should read it.

I do have one minor quibble with JoePos, though… He makes the common mistake of saying that On-Base Percentage measures a player’s ability to not make outs. This is not quite true—it counts errors, no-out fielder’s choices, and catcher’s interferences as “outs” even though they are not outs. In addition—and this makes a big difference—it only counts double plays as one out, when they are of course worth two outs.

A true “Out Prevention Percentage” would incorporate these factors. It wouldn’t be much different from OBP for most players, but for those who reach on a lot of errors, or hit into a lot of double plays, it would be fairly different. For instance, Jason Heyward (who had I think 14 ROEs in 2010) would be underrated by OBP, while Billy Butler (32 GIDPs) would be overrated by OBP.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Mar 13, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

Good point

I hope he follows through and does one for pitchers too. There are plenty of articles explaining these types of stats, but there are few, if any, written by a talented person like Joe Pos — he makes everything easy to understand and that’s really the battle with trying to get people to buy into newer stats.

"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"

"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."

by Doghnut on Mar 13, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Out Prevention Percentage

You down with OPP?

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

by biggentleben on Mar 14, 2011 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah you know me

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 14, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I sets 'em up

You knocks ’em out of the park

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

by biggentleben on Mar 14, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes.

And that was intentional. I am a very punny acronymer.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Mar 14, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I like his style and thinking

…but he did not proof read that at all. There were several grammatical errors and typos. plus he spelled Favre wrong when he was trying to be clever with wOBA.

Still, it was an informative post that points out the importance of stats other than batting average.

by JohnRocker4CyYoung on Mar 13, 2011 5:42 PM EDT reply actions