The Death of Batting Average? How OPS is Revolutionizing Baseball
Remember when batting average was the holy grail of baseball stats? Well, times are changing. While it still holds a nostalgic charm, OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging) has emerged as the new king of the diamond, leaving batting average in the dust. But here's where it gets controversial: is this shift truly beneficial for the game, or are we losing something fundamental in the process?
Take Andrew Benintendi, for instance. When he burst onto the scene in 2016, batting average was his North Star. He boasted a stellar .312 average in the minors. Fast forward to his 11th season, now with the Chicago White Sox, and his focus has shifted dramatically. He's all about maximizing his OPS and power numbers, a testament to the evolving priorities in the sport.
And this is the part most people miss: the decline of batting average's prominence wasn't a sudden shift. It's been a gradual process, with on-base percentage and slugging percentage gaining traction as more comprehensive metrics. OPS, which combines these two, offers a more nuanced view of a player's offensive contribution, factoring in not just hits but also walks and extra-base power.
The case of Luis Arraez perfectly illustrates this shift. A three-time batting champion with a career .317 average, Arraez struggled to find a long-term deal during free agency. Despite his exceptional contact skills, his lack of power and defensive limitations made him less appealing in today's OPS-driven market. He eventually settled for a one-year, $12 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, highlighting the changing landscape of player valuation.
While batting average has remained relatively stable league-wide since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, hovering around .245, the number of players hitting .300 or above has dwindled. In 2025, only seven qualified players achieved this feat, matching the record low set in 1968. This trend raises questions about the future of the traditional batting average and its place in the modern game.
But is batting average truly obsolete? Not everyone is ready to write it off. Chris Young, president of baseball operations for the Texas Rangers, acknowledges its value as a preliminary indicator. Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of players who can consistently put the ball in play, even in an era dominated by strikeouts and overpowering pitching.
Players themselves, like Nico Hoerner of the Cubs, still take pride in their batting average, recognizing it as a reflection of their contact quality. However, they also understand the shifting priorities, with OPS and power numbers often taking precedence.
The evolution of player approaches is evident in Benintendi's own transformation. His batting average has dipped since his early years, but his home run production has skyrocketed, reflecting the emphasis on power and OPS.
Even among the game's youngest stars, like Cincinnati infielder Sal Stewart, batting average holds a certain allure. While he prioritizes on-base percentage, he acknowledges the significance of batting average as a measure of contact skill.
So, is batting average destined to become a relic of the past, or will it continue to hold a place in the hearts of players and fans alike? The debate rages on, leaving us with a thought-provoking question: In the age of advanced analytics, what truly defines a successful hitter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
