On-Base Percentage
OBPHow often a batter reaches base via hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch; usually more telling than batting average.
On-base percentage measures how often a batter reaches base safely. It counts hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches in the numerator, divided by at-bats plus walks plus hit-by-pitches plus sacrifice flies.
Because it rewards walks, OBP captures plate discipline that batting average ignores. A hitter who walks a lot can have a much higher OBP than their average, and OBP is generally a better predictor of run-scoring than batting average.
A .400 on-base percentage is excellent at most levels. OBP is the on-base half of OPS.
What is the difference between batting average and OBP?
Batting average only counts hits over at-bats. On-base percentage also counts walks and hit-by-pitches, so it measures how often a hitter reaches base by any means, not just hits.
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