The pursuit of a high batting average, once the cornerstone of offensive success in Major League Baseball, is increasingly taking a backseat to metrics like on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG), collectively measured by OPS. This shift in valuation is impacting not only how players approach the game, but also how they are compensated, as evidenced by the recent free agency experience of three-time batting champion Luis Arraéz.
Andrew Benintendi, now in his fourth season with the Chicago White Sox and 11th embodies this changing landscape. He recalled that batting average was a primary focus when he first broke into the majors in 2016, having hit .312 in the minor leagues prior to his debut. Now, he’s more focused on maximizing his OPS and power numbers. “I guess the game changes a little bit depending on where the money is,” Benintendi said. “So obviously the players are going to chase that.”
The Rise of OPS and the Changing Value of Contact
For years, batting average—simply hits divided by at-bats—was the defining statistic for hitters. However, OPS, which combines a player’s OBP and SLG, provides a more comprehensive view of offensive production by factoring in walks and extra-base hits. Batting average treats all hits equally, while OPS recognizes the greater value of doubles, triples, and home runs. This evolution reflects a broader trend in baseball toward valuing power and the ability to reach base, even if it means sacrificing some batting average.
Arraéz’s Free Agency: A Case Study in Shifting Priorities
The diminished emphasis on batting average was particularly evident during Luis Arraéz’s free agency this past winter. Despite leading the National League in hits for the second consecutive year and boasting a career .317 batting average—the best among qualified active players—Arraéz hit a career-low .292 with just eight home runs and 61 RBIs in 154 games with the San Diego Padres in 2025. He ultimately signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the San Francisco Giants just before spring training, despite reportedly receiving multi-year offers. The Giants offered him the opportunity to play second base, a factor in his decision.
Arraéz himself acknowledged the changing priorities. “I don’t care who (is pitching). I don’t care if he’s a Cy Young (award winner),” he said. “I have a bat and I want to stand there and compete.”
League-Wide Trends and Front Office Perspectives
The overall MLB batting average has remained relatively stable since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, registering .248 in 2023, .243 in 2024, and .245 last year, according to Sportradar. However, the number of players hitting above .300 has steadily declined. In 2025, only seven major leaguers hit .300 or better, tying the previous year for the fewest since 1968. Trea Turner of the Philadelphia Phillies won the National League batting title with a record-low average of .304.
Front offices are increasingly relying on advanced metrics when evaluating players. Chris Young, president of baseball operations for the Texas Rangers, explained, “We pay more attention to the advanced metrics and the expected results based on the quality of the at-bat, the process metrics, but you can start with the batting average and say this guy is doing something right.” He added, “It’s a preliminary indicator, but we go into a lot of depth to understand a player’s profile and what we can expect and predict.”
Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Batting average is not something we look at at the beginning of an evaluation. I think there are a lot of things that are much more important.” However, he acknowledged the value of players who consistently put the ball in play, like Nico Hoerner and Arraéz, “in a world that values strikeout, in a world that has so many incredible pitches.” Hoerner hit .297 for the Cubs last year and posted a team-best .371 average with runners in scoring position.
The Next Generation and the Enduring Appeal of Hitting
Despite the shift in emphasis, the pride in hitting for a high average hasn’t entirely disappeared. Hoerner, 28, noted, “I think it says a lot that if you ask a player how much he hit last year, he still understands that that’s batting average, right? They don’t say, ‘Oh, I had an .840 OPS.’ They say, ‘I hit .270,’ or whatever.” He added, “Players know what’s valued and what puts them on the field, and yes, I don’t think batting average is particularly high on that list. But I do think it’s a reflection of the quality of contact they build.”
This evolving approach is also influencing younger players. Sal Stewart, a Cincinnati Reds infielder considered a top rookie prospect, hit .309 in the minor leagues last year. While he acknowledged that batting average wasn’t a primary focus during his development, he still finds it meaningful. “I mean, it’s not like I say, ‘Average is king,’ you know, but I look at it,” Stewart said. “But what I really like the most is the on-base percentage.”
As players like Benintendi demonstrate, the game is adapting. From 2016 to 2023, Benintendi hit .276 with an average of 14.1 home runs per 162 games. In the last two seasons, his average has dropped to .234, but his home run output has increased to 25.8 per 162 games. “I think that now the slugging, the OPS, weighs more than the batting average,” Benintendi said. “Let’s say you hit .250 but you have 50 home runs, would you prefer that or a guy who hits .315 with 10 home runs? So, well, it’s a give and grab depending on the player.”
The ongoing debate over the value of batting average will likely continue as MLB evolves. The next key date to watch will be the July trade deadline, where teams will assess their needs and potentially acquire players based on these shifting statistical priorities.
What do you think? Is the focus on OPS and power a positive development for baseball, or does it diminish the importance of consistent contact hitting? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
