MLB Terms

Ground Into Double Play

A Ground Into Double Play occurs when a player hits a ground ball that results in multiple outs on the bases. The most common double plays are ground balls where a forceout is made on the player running from first to second base, then another forceout is made on the batter running to first base

Balk

A balk occurs when a pitcher makes an illegal motion on the mound that the umpire deems to be deceitful to the runner(s). As a result, any men on base are awarded the next base, and the pitch (if it was thrown in the first place) is waved off for a dead ball

Double

A batter is credited with a double when he hits the ball into play and reaches second base without the help of an intervening error or attempt to put out another baserunner. Doubles are typically hit either into a gap, down the lines or off the outfield wall.

Runs Batted In

A batter is credited with an RBI in most cases where the result of his plate appearance is a run being scored. There are a few exceptions, however. A player does not receive an RBI when the run scores as a result of an error or ground into double play. The most common examples of RBIs are run-scoring hits. However, players also receive an RBI for a bases-loaded walk or hit by pitch

Reached On Error

A batter receives a reached on error when he reaches base because of a defensive error meaning he wouldn't have otherwise reached. Reaching base on an error does not count as a hit, nor does it count as a time on base for purposes of on-base percentage. But there is still significant debate as to whether ROEs are undervalued in the statistical world, as certain players have a tendency to reach base via error more than others

Blown Save

A blown save occurs when a relief pitcher enters a game in a save situation, but allows the tying run to score. The run does not have to be charged to that pitcher. If a reliever enters with a man already on third base, and he allows that runner to score the tying run, he is charged with a blown save. Although many blown saves occur in the ninth inning or later, they aren't limited to the ninth inning. If a pitcher enters in the eighth inning and surrenders the tying run in a save situation, he is given a blown save regardless of whether he pitches the ninth. A pitcher can still receive either a win or a loss (or a no-decision) after recording a blown save, depending on the ensuing results

Passed Ball

A catcher is given a passed ball if he cannot hold onto a pitch that in the official scorer's judgment he should have, and as a result at least one runner moves up on the bases. Passed balls have commonality with wild pitches, as both allow a runner to advance on his own without a stolen base

Caught Stealing

A caught stealing occurs when a runner attempts to steal but is tagged out before reaching second base, third base or home plate. This typically happens after a pitch, when a catcher throws the ball to the fielder at the base before the runner reaches it. But it can also happen before a pitch, typically when a pitcher throws the ball to first base for a pickoff attempt but the batter has already left for second

Double Play

A double play occurs when two offensive players are ruled out within the same play

Putout

A fielder is credited with a putout when he is the fielder who physically records the act of completing an out whether it be by stepping on the base for a force out, tagging a runner, catching a batted ball, or catching a third strike. A fielder can also receive a putout when he is the fielder deemed by the official scorer to be the closest to a runner called out for interference

Error

A fielder is given an error if, in the judgment of the official scorer, he fails to convert an out on a play that an average fielder should have made

Assist

A fielder who touches the ball before a putout is recorded by another fielder

Flyout

A flyout occurs when a batter hits the ball in the air and an opposing defender catches it before it hits the ground or fence. Certain pitchers generally those who pitch up in the zone frequently have a tendency to induce more flyouts than others. But that's a risky proposition, as fly balls can result in home runs, too.

Grand Slam

A grand slam occurs when a batter hits a home run with men on first base, second base and third base. Four runs score on a grand slam

Groundout

A groundout occurs when a batter hits a ball on the ground to a fielder, who records an out by throwing to or stepping on first base. It can also occur when the batter reaches first base and the defense instead opts to record an out elsewhere via a "fielder's choice." Groundouts typically occur on pitches that are lower in the strike zone. They also occur most frequently on pitches with sharp downward movement such as sinkers or sliders because the batter doesn't have much time to adjust his swing for the baseball's sudden drop

Hit

A hit occurs when a batter strikes the baseball into fair territory and reaches base without doing so via an error or a fielder's choice. There are four types of hits in baseball: singles, doubles, triples and home runs. All four are counted equally when deciphering batting average. If a player is thrown out attempting to take an extra base e.g., turning a single into a double, that still counts as a hit

Hit-By-Pitch

A hit-by-pitch occurs when a batter is struck by a pitched ball without swinging at it. He is awarded first base as a result. Strikes supersede hit-by-pitches, meaning if the umpire rules that the pitch was in the strike zone or that the batter swung, the HBP is cancelled out.

Hold

A hold occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game in a save situation and maintains his team's lead for the next relief pitcher, while recording at least one out. One of two conditions must be met for a pitcher to record a hold: 1) He enters with a lead of three runs or less and maintains that lead while recording at least one out. 2) He enters the game with the tying run on-deck, at the plate or on the bases, and records an out A pitcher cannot receive a win or a save in a game in which he records a hold. However, more than one relief pitcher can record a hold in a single game. It is also possible for a pitcher to receive a hold and a loss in the same game should he exit with the lead, only to see his bequeathed runners score the tying and go-ahead runs

Home Run

A home run occurs when a batter hits a fair ball and scores on the play without being put out or without the benefit of an error.In almost every instance of a home run, a batter hits the ball in the air over the outfield fence in fair territory. In that situation, the batter is awarded all four bases, and any runners on base score as well

Pickoff

A pickoff occurs between pitches when a pitcher throws a ball to a fielder, who eventually puts out or assists in retiring an opposing baserunner. An illegal pickoff attempt results in a balk. When a pitcher throws to a base between pitches in an attempt to get an out or keep a runner close to the base, it's known as a pickoff attempt. Pickoff attempts are generally used to keep baserunners close to the bag, so they don't get a big lead before attempting to steal a base. Most pickoff attempts do not reach the fielder in time for him to tag out the runner, but certain pitchers possess better pickoff moves than others. Left-handers, for instance, are generally much better at picking off runners than righties, because most pickoff attempts occur at first base. Lefties are facing first base before they pitch and can simply throw over, while right-handers must step off the pitching rubber and pivot before they throw. However, some right-handers have mastered the art of picking up their foot while spinning toward first. A team will sometimes use a pickoff move as a stall tactic to get another pitcher in the bullpen warmed up. Or, a team can also use a pickoff move to see if the hitter tips his hand as to whether he intends to bunt

Complete Game

A pitcher earns a complete game if he pitches the entire game for his team regardless of how long it lasts. If the game is shortened by rain or if it lasts into extra innings, it counts as a complete game if the pitcher was the only pitcher to record an appearance for his team. Complete games are considered valuable in baseball for a variety of reasons. First of all, if a pitcher hurls a complete game, it generally means he pitched well usually well enough for a victory and sometimes even well enough for a shutout (a complete game with no runs allowed). But complete games are also important because they give the bullpen an entire day of rest, keeping it fresh for the future.

Wild Pitch

A pitcher is charged with a wild pitch when his pitch is so errant that the catcher is unable to control it and, as a result, baserunner(s) advance. (This is an important stipulation. No matter how poor the pitch, a pitcher is only charged with a WP if at least one runner moves up a base, and he cannot be charged with a wild pitch if no one is on base unless it allows the batter to reach base on a third strike.) Wild pitches have commonality with passed balls which represent the same thing, but are the fault of the catcher instead of the pitcher. The decision whether a pitch is ruled a passed ball or a wild pitch is in the hands of the official scorer. But a general rule of thumb is that if the pitch hits the dirt or misses a catcher's glove altogether, it's a wild pitch. Certain pitchers who struggle with their control tend to have high wild pitch totals. As a result, pitchers who allow a high number of walks often allow a higher-than-average number of wild pitches. Pitchers who possess very good curveballs or any other breaking ball also are at risk of throwing wild pitches. Sometimes the pitch is intended to bounce in the dirt, with the goal being to deceive the hitter into thinking it's crossing the strike zone at his knees before plummeting into the ground. This puts a burden on the catcher to block the baseball and prevent a wild pitch

Games Finished

A pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a given game, provided he was not the starting pitcher. Starters are not credited for a game finished when they pitch a complete game

Games Started

A pitcher is credited with a game started if he is the first pitcher to throw a pitch for his team in a given game. A starter who pitches a full season in a five-man rotation will generally tally 32-34 games started. A pitcher who records the start in a given game is almost always expected to go multiple innings and anything less than five innings is usually a disappointment. There is no minimum innings plateau for a pitcher to earn a game started, but he must pitch at least five innings to be eligible for a win

Appearance

A pitcher is credited with an appearance if he pitches in a given game. When a pitcher enters the game barring an injury while warming up he must face at least one batter. When crediting pitchers with an appearance, it does not matter whether the pitcher started the game or pitched in relief

Loss

A pitcher receives a loss when a run that is charged to him proves to be the go-ahead run in the game, giving the opposing team a lead it never gives up. Losses are almost always paired with wins when used to evaluate a pitcher, creating a separate pitching term known as win-loss record. The importance placed on losses (and wins, too) has decreased among statisticians and baseball fans in the past few decades. The thinking is that a pitcher who pitches for a team with a bad offense (or bullpen) will often receive the loss even during games in which he pitched well. Win-loss record took on a greater importance in the past for a different reason. In the time when pitchers routinely pitched complete games, bullpens were rarely at fault for losses. But today's specialization of relief pitchers has led to starters pitching fewer innings. A starting pitcher does not necessarily receive a loss every time his team loses -- even if he exits the game with his team trailing. In such instances, if his team ties the game or takes the lead before eventually losing, it will be the pitcher who put the go-ahead run on base who takes the loss

Win

A pitcher receives a win when he is the pitcher of record when his team takes the lead for good with a couple rare exceptions. First, a starting pitcher must pitch at least five innings (in a traditional game of nine innings or longer) to qualify for the win. If he does not, the official scorer awards the win to the most effective relief pitcher. Win-loss record was assigned a greater importance in the past for a different reason. During the time when starters pitched complete games routinely, bullpens were rarely at fault for losses. But today's specialization of relief pitchers has led to starters pitching fewer innings, leaving their win-loss fates in the hands of hurlers who enter games after them. A starting pitcher does not necessarily receive a win every time his team wins even if he exits the game with his team ahead. In such instances, if the winning team gives up the lead before eventually rallying to win later in the game, the pitcher who is in the game when his team takes the final lead usually gets the win

Number of Pitches

A pitcher's total number of pitches is determined by all the pitches he throws in live game action, including strikes, unintentional balls and intentional balls.The number of pitches thrown by a pitcher is a very important number in any baseball game. It's often used to determine when a pitcher might begin to get tired. Conversely, it often benefits a hitter to face a high number of pitches, because the more pitches he sees, the more likely he is to wear down a pitcher. Certain pitchers are capable of throwing more pitches in a start than others, but for the most part starting pitchers begin to tire as they near the 100-pitch mark. In the mainstream media, pitch counts have grown in popularity in recent years as a tool for evaluating when a pitcher might be tiring and ready to be taken out of the game. However, pitch counts can be a very flawed mechanism, as not every pitch puts the same strain on a pitcher's arm. Breaking balls are much more taxing than fastballs, and pitches in high-leverage situations often require greater effort. Similarly, if a pitcher throws an unusually high number of pitches (say, 30 or more) in one inning, his arm may begin to tire even if his total number of pitches isn't very high

Winning Percentage

A pitcher's winning percentage is calculated by dividing his total number of wins by his total number of decisions (wins plus losses). Pitchers who get the win or the loss are known as the "pitchers of record" in a game, and winning percentage indicates how frequently a pitcher wins when he is the pitcher of record. The significance of winning percentage for the purpose of player evaluation has decreased among statisticians and baseball fans in the past few decades. The thinking is that a pitcher on a team with a bad offense (or bullpen) will often lose, even during games in which he pitched well. A pitcher can go nine innings without allowing a run, but he won't get the win if his team can't score. During the time when pitchers tossed complete games routinely, bullpens were rarely at fault for losses. But today's specialization of relief pitchers has led to starters pitching fewer innings, leaving their win-loss fate in the hands of the hurlers who enter the game after them and, of course, the offense, too.

Plate Appearance

A plate appearance refers to a batter's turn at the plate. Each completed turn batting is one plate appearance. Plate appearances can often be confused with at-bats. But unlike with at-bats which only occur on certain results a plate appearance takes into account every single time a batter comes up and a result between batter and pitcher is obtained. Total plate appearances are used to determine which players have qualified for the batting title; at-bats are not used for this purpose, even though at-bats are used to decipher batting average

Run

A player is awarded a run if he crosses the plate to score his team a run

Games Played

A player is credited with having played a game if he appears in it at any point be it as a starter or a replacement. It's important to note that the player doesn't necessarily need an at-bat. He can also enter for defense or as a pinch-runner.

Relief Win

A relief win is defined as any win by a pitcher who was not the starting pitcher. Relievers can earn relief wins in two different ways one far more common than the other. First, if a reliever is in the game at the time his team takes the lead for good, he is credited with the victory. A reliever can also pick up the win if the starting pitcher pitches fewer than five innings in what would have been the starter's win, and the official scorer deems that reliever to have been the "most effective" in preserving the win. In a rarely used clause, an official scorer can deem a relief pitcher's appearance "brief and ineffective." (For example, if a reliever relinquished a one-run lead by allowing three runs, but was still in line for a win after his team scored four runs in the following inning that may qualify.) In such cases, the scorer can award the win to a pitcher who followed that "brief and ineffective" pitcher. The pitcher who receives that win is also determined by the official scorer

Sacrifice Bunt

A sacrifice bunt occurs when a player is successful in his attempt to advance a runner (or multiple runners) at least one base with a bunt. In this vein, the batter is sacrificing himself (giving up an out) in order to move another runner closer to scoring. When a batter bunts with a runner on third base, it is called a squeeze play and, if successful, is still recorded as a sacrifice. Sacrifice bunts are one of the most commonly debated aspects of the game. Statistics have proven that in most cases fewer runs are expected to score when a team chooses to give away an out. But those numbers do not take into account the batter at the plate or the situation in the game.

Sacrifice Fly

A sacrifice fly occurs when a batter hits a fly-ball out to the outfield or foul territory that allows a runner to score

Save

A save is awarded to the relief pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team, under certain circumstances. A pitcher cannot receive a save and a win in the same game. A relief pitcher recording a save must preserve his team's lead while doing one of the following: Enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning. Enter the game with the tying run in the on-deck circle, at the plate or on the bases. Pitch at least three innings. For a long time, saves were the ultimate barometer of a good closer. Recently, however, statisticians have begun to consider saves a major product of opportunity. Still, as many Major League pitchers will point out, there is something very difficult about earning a save, because it represents the final out(s) of a game, and an opposing team will do everything in its power pinch-hitting, pinch running, etc. to tie the score

Save Opportunity

A save opportunity occurs every time a relief pitcher either records a save or a blown save. For a save opportunity, a pitcher must be the final pitcher for his team (and not the winning pitcher) and do one of the following: Enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning. Enter the game with the tying run in the on-deck circle or closer to scoring. Pitch at least three innings. Save opportunities are crucial in determining saves, blown saves and holds. In order for any of those three to occur, a pitcher must first have a save opportunity. Typically, closers will receive the most save opportunities during the course of a season because their role is to maintain leads at the end of games. A setup man who earns a hold is not credited with a save opportunity, because he neither completed nor blew the save

Single

A single occurs when a batter hits the ball and reaches first base without the help of an intervening error or attempt to put out another baserunner. Singles are the most common type of hit in baseball, and they occur in many varieties. If a batter beats out a bunt or an infield dribbler it's a single. And if a batter hits a rocket to the outfield wall but is held at first base it's also a single. A batter is still credited with a single if he reaches first safely, but is thrown out while trying to advance to second.

Shutout

A starting pitcher is credited with a shutout when he pitches the entire game for a team and does not allow the opposition to score. By definition, any pitcher who throws a shutout is also awarded a win. Because he recorded every out for his team and didn't allow a run, his team could only have won. If a starting pitcher does not allow a run but is removed before the game ends, he is not given credit for a shutout. However, if the ensuing reliever(s) also do not allow a run, the team as a whole is credited with a shutout. In very rare instances, a pitcher can pitch a shutout if he enters in relief. Per official MLB rule 9.18: "No pitcher shall be credited with pitching a shutout unless he pitches the complete game, or unless he enters the game with none out before the opposing team has scored in the first inning, puts out the side without a run scoring and pitches the rest of the game without allowing a run." The latter represents the only circumstance in which a pitcher is credited with a shutout but not a complete game. In order to complete a shutout, a pitcher must remain in the game for every out. Even if a pitcher throws nine shutout innings, he is not credited with a shutout if the game goes into extra innings. If a game is shortened by rain, a pitcher is still credited with a shutout if he allows no runs and pitches the entire contest. Shutouts have become increasingly rare with the growing reliance on bullpens. In order to record one, pitchers generally have to be efficient with their pitches as well as physically strong and mentally tough late in games, when fatigue can set in

Quality Start

A starting pitcher records a quality start when he pitches at least six innings and allows three earned runs or fewer. A starting pitcher has two jobs: to prevent runs and get outs. The quality start statistic helps to quantify which pitchers did a "quality" job in those two departments. However, the quality start has come under criticism. A pitcher who allows three earned runs over six innings would have an ERA of 4.50 not good and yet he still receives a quality start. In that sense, quality starts must be taken with a grain of salt. But there's still something to be said about the stat, given that six innings and three earned runs are pretty standard barometers for a successful start

Stolen Base

A stolen base occurs when a baserunner advances by taking a base to which he isn't entitled. This generally occurs when a pitcher is throwing a pitch, but it can also occur while the pitcher still has the ball or is attempting a pickoff, or as the catcher is throwing the ball back to the pitcher. A stolen base is not automatically credited when a runner advances during one of the aforementioned scenarios; the official scorer must also determine that the runner had been in attempt of a steal. For example, if a runner takes an extra base on a wild pitch or a passed ball, he is not awarded a stolen base. However, if he was attempting to steal as a wild pitch/passed ball was thrown, he is generally given credit for it. A baserunner is not given credit for a steal if he takes the extra base as the result of an error by the opposing defense. He is not given credit for a steal if he safely advances but another runner also attempting to steal on the same play is thrown out. This maneuver is called a "double steal." He is also not given credit if the defense concedes the base because of the situation in the game. This generally occurs very late in the contest, with the defensive team ahead by more than one run. The defense not wanting to play out of position doesn't cover the base and, as a result, the ruling is "defensive indifference" rather than a stolen base.

Strikeout

A strikeout occurs when a pitcher throws any combination of three swinging or looking strikes to a hitter. (A foul ball counts as a strike, but it cannot be the third and final strike of the at-bat. A foul tip, which is caught by the catcher, is considered a third strike.) The batter is automatically out on a strikeout, unless the catcher does not cleanly hold onto the baseball or if the baseball hits the dirt. If the catcher does not catch the third strike, the batter may attempt to run to first base -- if it is open or if there are two outs. However, even if the batter reaches first base safely, the pitcher and the batter are still credited with a strikeout in the scorebook. In the scorebook, a strikeout is denoted by the letter K. A third-strike call on which the batter doesn't swing is denoted with a backward K. Although strikeouts are recorded as a statistic for both pitchers and hitters, they are much more useful in determining the talents of a pitcher. There are many hitters particularly power hitters who strike out often, but are nonetheless valuable in the lineup

Triple Play

A triple play occurs when the defending team records three outs on a single defensive play. A triple play is one of the rarest and most exciting events that can transpire during a baseball game

Walk

A walk occurs when a pitcher throws four pitches out of the strike zone, none of which are swung at by the hitter. After refraining from swinging at four pitches out of the zone, the batter is awarded first base

Walk-Off

A walk-off occurs when the home team takes the lead in the bottom of the ninth or extra innings. Because the visiting team will not get another turn at-bat, the game ends immediately, with the home team victorious.A walk-off can be recorded in many ways, including: a hit, an error, a walk with the bases loaded, a hit by pitch with the bases loaded, a sacrifice fly, an out (with less than two outs in the inning), a wild pitch, a passed ball and a balk. As long as enough runs are scored to end the game as the result of the play, it is considered a walk-off

Earned Run

An earned run is any run that scores against a pitcher without the benefit of an error or a passed ball. Often, it is the judgment of the official scorer as to whether a specific run would've scored without the defensive mishap. If a pitcher exits a game with runners on base, any earned runs scored by those runners will count against him

Extra-base Hit

An extra-base hit is defined as any hit that is not a single, meaning doubles, triples and home runs are all considered extra-base hits. An extra-base hit is typically a ball that is hit very hard, and it often goes to the outfield wall. (Obviously, in the case of a home run, it usually goes over the wall). Speedier hitters have a slight advantage in attaining extra-base hits because they can use their foot speed to reach second base faster.

Inherited Runner

An inherited runner is any baserunner who is already on base when a relief pitcher enters the game. Any inherited runners who score against a relief pitcher are not charged to his ERA; however, there are a few statistics that take into account a pitcher's success at stranding runners on base

Intentional Walk

An intentional walk occurs when the defending team elects to walk a batter on purpose, putting him on first base instead of letting him try to hit. Intentional walks -- which count as a walk for the hitter and a walk allowed by the pitcher -- are an important strategy in the context of a game. They can be used to put a runner on first base, setting up a potential double play

At-Bat

An official at-bat comes when a batter reaches base via a fielder's choice, hit or an error not including catcher's interference or when a batter is put out on a non-sacrifice. Whereas a plate appearance refers to each completed turn batting, regardless of the result.

Outfield Assist

An outfielder records an assist when he throws the ball into the infield and an out is recorded as a result

Unearned Run

An unearned run is any run that scored because of an error or a passed ball. Oftentimes, it is the judgment of the official scorer as to whether a specific run would've scored without the defensive mishap. The purpose of the unearned run is to distinguish which runs a pitcher is at fault for allowing. Unearned runs do not count against a pitcher's ERA. However, there are a few flaws with ignoring unearned runs when evaluating a pitcher. First, it's a pitcher's job to prevent runs not to simply prevent earned runs. Second, not every error is created equal and some plays that are ruled as hits can be a product of subpar defense. Although unearned runs don't hurt a pitcher's ERA, they can hurt a pitcher in other ways -- namely in his quest to win. Every error means a bigger burden on the pitcher in terms of pitches thrown. In this regard, unearned runs can often lead to an early exit for a pitcher. An unearned run can never take place without the occurrence of an error or a passed ball

Batting Average on Balls in Play

BABIP measures a player's batting average exclusively on balls hit into the field of play, removing outcomes not affected by the opposing defense (namely home runs and strikeouts). For example, a hitter who goes 2-for-5 with a home run and a strikeout would have a .333 BABIP. He's 1-for-3 on the balls he put in play. (H - HR)/(AB - K - HR + SF) BABIP can be used for both pitchers and hitters. It's often a solid indicator of a player's luck and future performance. Pitchers who have allowed a high percentage of hits on balls in play will typically regress to the mean. In other words, over time, they'll see fewer balls in play fall for hits, and therefore experience better results in terms of run prevention. The same applies for batters, but to a lesser extent.

Baserunners Per Nine Innings Pitched

Baserunners per nine innings pitched tells us the average number of baserunners allowed by a pitcher for every nine innings pitched. For the purpose of this statistic, "baserunners" include men who reach on hits, walks and hit-by-pitches. Errors and fielder's choices do not count. A pitcher's primary goal is to prevent runs, and he does so by keeping runners off base, making this a very useful stat when evaluating pitchers. However, it does not factor the way in which a hitter reached base. (Obviously, home runs are more harmful to pitchers than walks.) Although this stat can be useful, the baseball world prefers to use its cousin WHIP which is basically the same thing except "per inning" instead of "per nine innings." Also, WHIP does not factor hit batsmen into its equation

Batters Faced

Batters faced is simply a count of the number of total plate appearances against a certain pitcher or team. In a perfect game with 27 outs a pitcher will record 27 batters faced

Bequeathed Runners

Bequeathed runners represents the number of runners left on base by a pitcher when that pitcher leaves the game. It's often used as a statistic when assessing a starting pitcher's luck regarding his ERA, because any bequeathed runners who score an earned run after a pitcher has left the game will negatively affect his ERA. Bequeathed runners, however, is a stat over which a pitcher has a great deal of control. He, after all, is the one who let those runners reach base in the first place -- and he's also the one who couldn't make it through the inning. Along with being a pitching metric, bequeathed runners can be an assessment of a manager's philosophy. Some managers try to avoid bringing their relief pitchers into a game with men on base. As a result, those teams usually have lower bequeathed runners totals

Bequeathed Runners Scored

Bequeathed runners scored represents the total number of runs a pitcher is charged with after he leaves the game. Or, put another way, it's the number of runners who come around to score after being left on base when that pitcher exits the game. There is a key exception, however. If a fielder's choice eliminates one of a departed pitcher's baserunners, and the new baserunner scores, that run will still be charged to the original pitcher and not the second pitcher. This is because the second pitcher simply did his job by recording an out. BQR-S can be a good way of assessing how much help a starting pitcher received from his bullpen. If a starting pitcher has a high percentage of his bequeathed runners score generally because of a shaky bullpen it will adversely affect his ERA, even though it's something over which he doesn't have a lot of control. (But it's important to remember that he has some control. He didn't have to allow those runners to reach base in the first place.)

Defensive Runs Saved

DRS quantifies a player's entire defensive performance by attempting to measure how many runs a defender saved. It takes into account errors, range, outfield arm and double-play ability. It differs only slightly from UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) in its formula, but the concept is the same. DRS uses Baseball Info Solutions data to chart where each ball is hit. Say, for instance, a center fielder sprints to make a nice catch on a fly ball. Then, say data from BIS tells us that similar fly balls get caught 60 percent of the time. That center fielder gains, essentially, 0.4 bonus points for difficulty. If he can't make the play, he loses 0.6 points. At the end of the day, that player's overall score gets adjusted to the league average and then that score gets adjusted for how many runs the once-adjusted score is worth.

Defensive Efficiency Ratio

Defensive Efficiency Ratio is a statistic used to evaluate team defense by finding out the rate of times batters reach base on balls put in play. Basically, for every ball hit into the field of play, how likely is the defense to convert that into an out. The formula for Defensive Efficiency Ratio is: 1 - ((H + ROE - HR) / (PA - BB - SO - HBP - HR)).

Adjusted Earned Run Average

ERA+ takes a player's ERA and normalizes it across the entire league. It accounts for external factors like ballparks and opponents. It then adjusts, so a score of 100 is league average, and 150 is 50 percent better than the league average. For example, Mariano Rivera's 2.21 career ERA was 105 percent better than the MLB average during the time he pitched (including adjustments for park and league). That gives him a 205 career ERA+ (the best all-time). League ERA, adjusted for park factors x 100 / ERA. ERA is the most universally accepted tool for measuring the performance of a pitcher. But ERA+ is actually a more accurate league-wide barometer, because it evens the playing field for all pitchers.

Earned Run Average

Earned run average represents the number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings with earned runs being any runs that scored without the aid of an error or a passed ball. ERA is the most commonly accepted statistical tool for evaluating pitchers. The formula for finding ERA is: 9 x earned runs / innings pitched. If a pitcher exits a game with runners on base, any earned runs scored by those runners will count against him

Inherited Runs Allowed

Every inherited runner who scores when a relief pitcher is in the game counts as an inherited run allowed against that relief pitcher. It's a way of quantifying how well a reliever performs when thrown into a situation with men already on base. (This is somewhat necessary, for evaluation purposes, because those runs won't be charged against that relief pitcher's ERA.) Inherited runs allowed shouldn't be looked at in a leaderboard context, as some of the best relievers at stranding runners are among the leaders in IR-A because they appear so frequently in situations with runners on base

Fielding Independent Pitching

FIP is similar to ERA, but it focuses solely on the events a pitcher has the most control over strikeouts, unintentional walks, hit-by-pitches and home runs. It entirely removes results on balls hit into the field of play. For example: If a pitcher has surrendered a high average on balls in play, his FIP will likely be lower than his ERA. Balls in play are not part of the FIP equation because a pitcher is believed to have limited control over their outcome. Where the "FIP constant" puts FIP onto the same scale as the entire league's ERA: ((HR x 13) + (3 x (BB + HBP)) - (2 x K)) / IP + FIP constant. Because FIP is limited to the events a pitcher has the most control over, it's arguably a better tool than ERA for evaluating a pitcher's effectiveness. It's also useful for predicting a pitcher's future results, because a pitcher has little control over what happens once the ball is put in play behind him

Fly-ball Rate

Fly-ball rate represents the percentage of balls hit into the field of play that are characterized as fly balls. Each ball that is hit into the field of play is characterized as a line drive, a fly ball, a ground ball or a pop-up. (A fly ball is a fly to the outfield, while a pop-up is hit to the infield.) Fly-ball rate can be used as a metric to evaluate both hitters and pitchers, although it's more frequently used to evaluate pitchers. With pitchers, fly-ball rate can be very telling. For one thing, it tells us what type of pitcher we have. Pitchers with high fly-ball rates have a tendency to allow home runs (which result exclusively from fly balls and line drives). In this regard, pitchers generally strive to avoid high fly-ball rates. But some pitchers can thrive with a high fly-ball rate as long as they limit their home runs, because outs occur more frequently on fly balls than on ground balls

Game Score

Game Score measures a pitcher's performance in any given game started. Introduced by Bill James in the 1980s and updated by fellow sabermetrician Tom Tango in 2014, Game Score is presented as a figure between 0-100 except for extreme outliers and usually falls between 40-70. A Game Score of 50 is considered "average," while a Game Score of 40 is deemed to be "replacement level." Game Scores in the 80s and 90s are widely regarded as impressive, and scores of at least 100 are exceptionally rare. Using Tango's formula, which is the version displayed on MLB.com, only nine of the 4,858 games started in 2015 resulted in Game Scores of 100-plus. A Game Score is derived by factoring the quality (based on runs, hits, HR, walks, strikeouts) and quantity (innings) of a starting pitcher's performance. Formula: Start with 40 points Add 2 points for each out recorded (or 6 points per inning) Add 1 additional point for every strikeout Remove 2 points for every walk allowed Remove 2 points for every hit allowed Remove 3 points for every run allowed (earned or unearned) Remove 6 additional points for every home run allowed Game Score allows for a quick assessment of a particular pitcher's performance, simply by looking at one, easy-to-understand number. Furthermore, Game Score correlates strongly with winning percentage, so that a pitcher with an average Game Score of 60 can be expected to win approximately 60 percent of the time

Ground-ball Rate

Ground-ball rate represents the percentage of balls hit into the field of play that are characterized as ground balls. Each ball that is hit into the field of play is characterized as a line drive, a fly ball, a ground ball or a pop-up. Ground-ball rate can be used as a metric to evaluate both hitters and pitchers, although it's more frequently used to evaluate pitchers. With pitchers, ground-ball rate can be very telling. For one thing, it lets us know what type of pitcher we have. Pitchers with high ground-ball rates have a tendency to allow fewer home runs (which result from fly balls and line drives). Obviously, preventing home runs is one of the most important aspects of pitching as no outcome is more damaging

Groundout-to-Flyout Ratio

Groundout-to-flyout ratio is obtained by dividing the total number of ground balls converted into outs not including bunts, by the total of all fly balls converted into outs.

Hits Per Nine Innings

H/9 represents the average number of hits a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing a pitcher's hits allowed by his innings pitched and multiplying that by nine. It's a very useful tool for evaluating pitchers, whose goal is to prevent runs, which are usually scored by hits. Though it's closely correlated with opponents' batting average, hits per nine is based solely on the number of outs a pitcher records, rather than the number of at-bats by his opponents. This is important because H/9 takes into account the second out on double plays, sacrifices and other outs that occur without an official at-bat being recorded such as outfield assists. Walks, hit by pitches and other means of reaching base do not play a factor in H/9

Home Runs Per Nine Innings

HR/9 represents the average number of home runs allowed by a pitcher on a nine-inning scale. The statistic is determined by dividing a pitcher's home runs allowed by his total innings pitched and multiplying the result by nine. HR/9 is a statistic that relatively speaking is in the control of the pitcher, because defensive positioning plays no factor. Certain pitchers can have success with a high HR/9 rate, as long as they manage to limit their baserunners otherwise leading to fewer multi-run home runs. But home runs are so detrimental to a pitcher's cause that this is very rare. Pitchers with high fly-ball rates are more likely than ground-ball pitchers to have high HR/9 rates. However, some pitchers have mastered the art of allowing fly balls but not many home runs. HR/9 rates in small sample sizes can be very deceiving. And they should also be looked at in the context of the ballpark in which a pitcher pitches, because certain stadiums tend to elicit higher home-run rates

Home Run To Fly Ball Rate

Home-run-per-fly-ball (HR/FB) rate is the rate at which home runs are hit against a pitcher for every fly ball he allows. It's as simple as the name makes it sound. The league average HR/FB rate is usually slightly below 10 percent. For example, if a pitcher faces 25 batters 10 of whom hit fly balls and he surrenders one home run, his HR/FB rate is 10 percent. Research shows that the HR/FB rate of individual pitchers can vary greatly from year to year. That means pitchers with high HR/FB rate have generally but not always experienced some bad luck

Fielding Percentage

How often does a fielder or team make the play when tasked with fielding a batted ball, throwing a ball, or receiving a thrown ball for an out

Isolated Power

ISO measures the raw power of a hitter by taking only extra-base hits and the type of extra-base hit into account. For example, a player who goes 1-for-5 with a double has an ISO of .200. Extra bases / At-bats OR Slugging percentage - Batting average. ISO is fantastic for evaluating the raw power within a player, which, of course, is valuable because extra-base hits tend to have a big impact on who wins games. Batting average tells you how often a player records hits, but not how often his hits go for extra bases

Innings Pitched

Innings pitched measures the number of innings a pitcher remains in a game. Because there are three outs in an inning, each out recorded represents one-third of an inning pitched.Just because a pitcher appears in a game, doesn't mean he will record an inning pitched or even a third of an inning pitched. In order for a pitcher's IP total to increase, he must be pitching while an out is recorded. (This includes pickoffs and caught stealings, while double plays are worth two-thirds of an inning pitched.) Pitchers are not credited for a third of an inning pitched if a batter reaches on an error because an out was never recorded

Innings Played

Innings played is a defensive statistic determined by counting the number of outs during which a player is in the field and dividing by three

Late-inning Pressure Situation

Late-inning pressure situations are defined as any at-bat in the seventh inning or later where the batter's team trails by three runs or fewer, is tied or is ahead by only one run. If the bases are loaded and the batting team trails by four runs, this also counts as a late-inning pressure situation. There is much debate among people within baseball regarding "clutchness" and how to determine whether certain hitters or pitchers are clutch. LIPS is one way of doing so, although it can be highly unreliable because the sample sizes are often small, and because not all late-inning pressure situations are equal when it comes to determining how clutch a player is.

Left On Base

Left on base can be viewed as both an individual statistic or as a team statistic. In an individual batter's case, it refers to how many men remain on base after that batter makes an out at the plate, as the batter has failed to do his job to score those runners or at least put himself in a position to score. In a team's case or in an individual pitcher's case, it refers to the number of men who remain on base at the end of an inning. Stranding runners on base can often show a pitcher's mettle and his craftiness at working out of tough situations

On-base Percentage

OBP refers to how frequently a batter reaches base per plate appearance. Times on base include hits, walks and hit-by-pitches, but do not include errors, times reached on a fielder's choice or a dropped third strike

On-base Plus Slugging

OPS adds on-base percentage and slugging percentage to get one number that unites the two. It's meant to combine how well a hitter can reach base, with how well he can hit for average and for power. As a result, OPS is widely considered one of the best evaluative tools for hitters

On-base Plus Slugging Plus

OPS+ takes a player's on-base plus slugging percentage and normalizes the number across the entire league. It accounts for external factors like ballparks. It then adjusts so a score of 100 is league average, and 150 is 50 percent better than the league average. For example, Miguel Cabrera's .895 OPS in 2014 was 50 percent better than the MLB average after being adjusted for league and park factors. As a result, his OPS+ was 150. (OPS / league OPS, adjusted for park factors) x 100. OPS is a solid tool for evaluating a player's performance at the plate, but OPS+ is a more accurate barometer for those interested in a number that is not affected by individual parks or leagues

Triple

Often called "the most exciting play in baseball," a triple occurs when a batter hits the ball into play and reaches third base without the help of an intervening error or attempt to put out another baserunner. Triples are almost exclusively hit by faster players because Major League defenses are usually able to get the ball back to the infield before a slower runner can attempt to take third base. Also, triples are more likely to occur on balls hit to the right side of the field, because the throw from right field to third base is tougher than the throw coming from left field to third

Batting Average

One of the oldest and most universal tools to measure a hitter's success at the plate, batting average is determined by dividing a player's hits by his total at-bats for a number between zero (shown as .000) and one (1.000). In recent years, the league-wide batting average has typically hovered around .260.

Pitches Per Plate Appearance

P/PA is a simple stat that quantifies how many pitches are thrown per plate appearance. It can be used for both hitters and pitchers, although it is more frequently referred to when assessing hitters. A player can be a very good hitter if his P/PA is below average, but hitters with high P/PA marks can be useful because they tend to wear out opposing pitchers. If a team has a high P/PA mark, the opposing pitcher will often be forced to exit the game earlier than usual

Plate Appearances Per Strikeout

Plate appearances per strikeout is a basic ratio determined by dividing a player's total plate appearances by his number of strikeouts. Hitters who don't strike out very much will have high PA/SO marks. PA/SO is not a great tool for evaluating the overall abilities of a hitter. There are some very good hitters who strike out frequently and some poor hitters who hardly strike out at all. But PA/SO can be a useful tool for the opposition, as it tells them which hitters are adept at putting the ball in play which could be an important factor, given the game situation

Range Factor

Range Factor is determined by dividing the sum of a fielder's putouts and assists by his total number of defensive games played. More recently, Range Factor per nine innings has evolved as the more prevalent statistic because it addresses the discrepancies between a player who plays one inning in a given game and a player who plays the full game. There are flaws with Range Factor namely that the circumstances for fielders can vary greatly. With ground-ball pitchers on the mound, for example, an infielder is bound to receive more opportunities to boost his Range Factor. The advent of defensive shifts has affected Range Factor further. For instance, a third baseman who is used frequently in shifts will likely have a higher Range Factor than one who isn't even though defensive positioning is generally determined by the manager or bench coach

Total Chances

Represents the number of opportunities he has to record an out. The formula for total chances is: assists plus putouts plus errors

Runs Created

Runs Created estimates a player's offensive contribution in terms of total runs. It combines a player's ability to get on base with his ability to hit for extra bases. Then it divides those two by the player's total opportunities. For example, in 631 "opportunities" (at-bats + walks), Player A had 377 total bases in 2014, with 66 walks and 195 hits. By this formula a very basic version of the formula, which doesn't include baserunning, double plays, etc.Player A created 156 runs in the '14 season. At its most basic, with as few variables factored in as possible: TB x (H + BB) / (AB + BB)

Save Percentage

Save percentage represents the percent of time a pitcher records a save when given a save opportunity. Obviously, then, save percentage is calculated by dividing a pitcher's total number of saves by his total number of save opportunities. Save percentage can be a useful tool for evaluating pitchers who are strictly closers. Ranking pitchers by total saves isn't effective because saves are so reliant on outside factors that a closer can't control -- such as how often a closer's team has a lead in the eighth or ninth innings. But save percentage levels the playing field between closers who get many save opportunities and closers who don't. It simply answers the question: How successful is a closer at getting a save when he has a chance. If a reliever records a hold, it does not affect his save percentage, because he has not been credited with either a save or a blown save.

Slugging Percentage

Slugging percentage represents the total number of bases a player records per at-bat. Unlike on-base percentage, slugging percentage deals only with hits and does not include walks and hit-by-pitches in its equation. Slugging percentage exists mainly as a response to a noticeable flaw in batting average: Not all hits are created equal. In batting average, a single and a home run are valued the same. But in slugging percentage, home runs are counted four times as much as each single. With that in mind, the formula for slugging percentage is: (1B + 2Bx2 + 3Bx3 + HRx4)/AB.

Stolen-base Percentage

Stolen-base percentage is determined by the number of steals for a player divided by his total number of attempts. SB% is an essential tool in evaluating base stealers, because the league leaders in stolen bases often get thrown out frequently, too. In that vein, stolen bases are useful but only if a base stealer isn't at a high risk of getting thrown out.

Caught Stealing Percentage

The frequency with which a catcher throws out opposing base runners who are trying to steal

Total Bases

Total bases refer to the number of bases gained by a batter through his hits. A batter records one total base for a single, two total bases for a double, three total bases for a triple and four total bases for a home run. Total bases are used to determine a player's slugging percentage which is total bases divided by at-bats. A player can only add to his total-bases tally through a hit. Advancing on the basepaths even via a steal has no impact on a player's total bases.

Ultimate Zone Rating

UZR quantifies a player's entire defensive performance by attempting to measure how many runs a defender saved. It takes into account errors, range, outfield arm and double-play ability. It differs slightly from DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) in its formula, but the concept is the same. UZR uses Baseball Info Solutions data to chart where each ball is hit. Say, for instance, a center fielder sprints to make a nice catch on a fly ball. Then, say data from BIS tells us that similar fly balls get caught 60 percent of the time. That center fielder gains, essentially, 0.4 bonus points for difficulty. If he can't make the play, he loses 0.6 points. At the end of the day, that player's overall score gets adjusted to the league average and then that score gets adjusted for how many runs the once-adjusted score is worth

Wins Above Replacement

WAR measures a player's value in all facets of the game by deciphering how many more wins he's worth than a replacement-level player at his same position (e.g., a Minor League replacement or a readily available fill-in free agent). For example, if a shortstop and a first baseman offer the same overall production (on offense, defense and the basepaths), the shortstop will have a better WAR because his position sees a lower level of production from replacement-level players. For position players: (The number of runs above average a player is worth in his batting, baserunning and fielding + adjustment for position + adjustment for league + the number of runs provided by a replacement-level player) / runs per win For pitchers: Different WAR computations use either RA9 or FIP. Those numbers are adjusted for league and ballpark. Then, using league averages, it is determined how many wins a pitcher was worth based on those numbers and his innings pitched total. Obviously, the goal of baseball is to win games, and WAR quantifies each player's value in terms of a specific number of wins. A player with a WAR of 0 is essentially a replaceable piece, while a player with a WAR of about 8 should almost always be an MVP candidate. And because WAR factors in a positional adjustment, it is well suited for comparing players who man different defensive positions

Walks And Hits Per Inning Pitched

WHIP is one of the most commonly used statistics for evaluating a pitcher's performance. The statistic shows how well a pitcher has kept runners off the basepaths, one of his main goals. The formula is simple enough it's the sum of a pitcher's walks and hits, divided by his total innings pitched. The pitchers with the lowest WHIPs are generally the best pitchers in the league which makes sense, because the best pitchers should be able to prevent baserunners. However, WHIP does not consider the way in which a hitter reached base. (Obviously, home runs are more harmful to pitchers than walks.)

Win Probability Added

WPA quantifies the percent change in a team's chances of winning from one event to the next. It does so by measuring the importance of a given plate appearance in the context of the game. For instance: a homer in a one-run game is worth more than a homer in a blowout. As an example: When Josh Donaldson came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth on May 26, 2015, the Blue Jays trailed by two and had men on second and third with no one out. That gave them a 43-percent win expectancy. After Donaldson's walk-off homer, their win expectancy jumped to 100 percent. Because Donaldson boosted the Blue Jays' chances of winning by 57 percent, his WPA for that plate appearance was 0.57. A player's WPA can also be affected on the basepaths. It will increase if he steals a base but decrease if he is caught stealing or picked off. (Team's win expectancy after a plate appearance or SB/CS/PK) - (team's win expectancy before that plate appearance or SB/CS/PK). WPA should not be used as an indicator of future performance. But WPA is a fantastic "story stat" meaning it does a good job of putting context to what has already happened. Its best use is for deciphering the impact of a specific player or play on a game's outcome

Out

When a player at bat or a base runner is retired by the team in the field. Outs are generally recorded via a strikeout, a groundout, a popout or a flyout,

Weighted On-base Average

wOBA is a version of on-base percentage that accounts for how a player reached base instead of simply considering whether a player reached base. The value for each method of reaching base is determined by how much that event is worth in relation to projected runs scored (example: a double is worth more than a single). Where "factor" indicates the adjusted run expectancy of a batting event in the context of the season as a whole: (unintentional BB factor x unintentional BB + HBP factor x HBP + 1B factor x 1B + 2B factor x 2B + 3B factor x 3B + HR factor x HR)/(AB + unintentional BB + SF + HBP). All methods of reaching base are not equal. On-base percentage only goes so far in measuring a player's value. OPS adds different values (OBP + SLG percentages) for different methods of reaching base, but those values are simpler than the wOBA method, which assigns the proper value to each event, in terms of its impact on scoring runs

Weighted Runs Above Average

wRAA measures how many runs a hitter contributes, compared with an average player so a player with a 0 wRAA would be considered league average, offensively. It's calculated by finding the difference in the number of runs contributed between a player and the league average (which is determined by the league average wOBA). Because wRAA uses wOBA to determine how many runs a player is worth, a player with an above-average wOBA will have an above-average wRAA. But unlike wOBA wRAA is a counting stat. As a result, players with a higher number of plate appearances can accrue a higher wRAA than an equal player with fewer plate appearances.

Weighted Runs Created Plus

wRC+ takes the statistic Runs Created and adjusts that number to account for important external factors like ballpark or era. It's adjusted, so a wRC+ of 100 is league average and 150 would be 50 percent above league average. For example, a player who plays his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field will have a lower wRC+ than a player who posts identical stats at pitcher-friendly O.co Coliseum. The production of the player at Coors Field is deemed less impressive because of his ballpark's hitter-friendly nature. (((wRAA per PA + league runs per PA) + (league runs per PA - ballpark factor x league runs per PA) / league wRC per plate appearance, not including pitchers)) x 100. wRC+ quantifies the most important part of a batter's job creating runs and normalizes it, so we can compare players who play in different ballparks and even different eras.

Expected Fielding Independent Pitching

xFIP finds a pitcher's FIP, but it uses projected home-run rate instead of actual home runs allowed. The home run rate is determined by that season's league average HR/FB rate. For example: In 2002, Randy Johnson had a 2.66 FIP and a 2.44 xFIP -- the difference being that he allowed a 12.9 percent HR/FB rate, when the league average stood at 10.7 percent. Where "FIP constant" puts FIP on the same plane as league-average ERA: ((Fly balls / league average rate of HR per fly ball x 13) + (3 x (BB + HBP)) - (2 x K)) / IP + FIP constant. To determine the latter part of the equation, xFIP assumes a pitcher should have allowed a league average HR/FB rate, which was 12.8 percent in 2016. This assumption is drawn because HR/FB rate can fluctuate a lot from year to year, with pitchers often regressing back toward the league average rate.