tibbets

This statistic I created is exactly what its name says it is: a ratio between bases made and runs scored. The formula is:

BRR = (SLB + SB) / R
...SLB = Slugging Bases = (1*1B) + (2*2B) + (3*3B) + (4*HR)
...SB = Stolen Bases
...R = Runs Scored

Let's look at Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez and their BRRs, with BRRPAs (BRR per Plate Appearance) in parentheses, over the last four years.

JETER
2006 - 2.839 (0.024)
2007 - 2.980 (0.029)
2008 - 2.886 (0.033)
2009 - 3.037 (0.028)
RODRIGUEZ
2006 - 2.779 (0.025)
2007 - 2.797 (0.020)
2008 - 2.981 (0.029)
2009 - 3.205 (0.041)

We all know A-Rod had a monster year in 2007. That is reflected in his BRRPA, which is much more telling than BRR. The number 0.020 is representing the ratio .020:.0014, which is (2.797:1)/708 (the number of his plate appearances in 2007). That ratio is representing bases:runs, so for every 0.0014 runs A-Rod scored in 2007, he got 0.020 bases, and both were the approximate number of bases and runs per plate appearance.

The goal is to have as low a number as possible because the lower the number, the more times a player scored for each base he gained. Obviously, the issue is the runs part is dependent on the batters that come after that player, so this isn't a truly independent statistic. But if a player can't get on base in the first place, then they can't score, and that's reflected here; and if a team can't drive that player in, then maybe the player is in the wrong place, or the batters just after that player were subpar.

Please leave any questions or comments you have about Base-Run Ratio (BRR).