A plain-English guide to every baseball stat. No statistics degree required.
Measures how many wins a player adds to their team using only hitting and pitching. Positive = above average, negative = below. Used throughout Baseball Nut as the single number for player value. Unlike WAR, NUT excludes unreliable defensive metrics.
How NUT Score works →Hits divided by at-bats. A .300 average is excellent, .250 is roughly league average.
How often a batter reaches base (hits + walks + HBP). More valuable than AVG because walks count.
Total bases divided by at-bats. Measures power — extra-base hits are worth more.
OBP + SLG combined. Quick shorthand for overall offensive production. .800+ is good, .900+ is excellent.
Like OBP but weights each outcome (single, double, HR, walk) by its actual run value. More accurate than OPS. Used in NUT Score calculation for hitters.
Measures offensive output adjusted for park and league. 100 is average, 120+ is great, 150+ is elite.
Self-explanatory. Total home runs hit.
Runs scored as a direct result of a batter's at-bat.
Total runs scored by the player.
Total base hits.
Hits where the batter reaches second base.
Hits where the batter reaches third base.
Times the batter reached first base on four balls.
Times the batter struck out.
Times the runner successfully stole a base.
Total trips to the plate, including walks, HBP, sacrifices.
Plate appearances minus walks, HBP, sacrifices, and certain other outcomes.
Earned runs allowed per 9 innings. Lower is better. Under 3.00 is excellent.
Like ERA but only counts what the pitcher controls: strikeouts, walks, HBP, and home runs. Strips out defense and luck. Used in NUT Score calculation for pitchers.
How many baserunners a pitcher allows per inning. Under 1.10 is great.
Total innings thrown.
Pitcher wins. Widely considered misleading since wins depend heavily on run support.
Pitcher losses. Same caveat as wins.
Games finished in a save situation by a reliever.
Total batters struck out.
Total walks issued.
Strikeout rate normalized to 9 innings.
Walk rate normalized to 9 innings.
Home run rate.
Opponents' batting average against the pitcher.
Total player value in wins above a replacement-level player. Two main versions: bWAR (Baseball Reference) and fWAR (FanGraphs). They often disagree because they use different defensive models. NUT was created as a simpler alternative that excludes defense.
Learn more →Baseball Reference's version of WAR. Includes defense using DRS (Defensive Runs Saved).
Learn more →FanGraphs' version of WAR. Includes defense using UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating).
Learn more →OPS adjusted for park and league factors. 100 is average. Makes it easier to compare players across eras and ballparks.
ERA adjusted for park and league. 100 is average, higher is better (opposite of raw ERA).