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WAR for Position Players
The formula for calculating WAR for position players is:
WAR (position players) = (Batting Runs + Base Running Runs + Fielding Runs + Positional Adjustment + League Adjustment + Replacement Runs) / Runs Per Win
Components of the Formula:
- Batting Runs: This measures the runs a player contributes with their batting.
- Base Running Runs: This measures the runs a player contributes with their base running.
- Fielding Runs: This measures the runs a player saves with their defensive skills.
- Positional Adjustment: An adjustment based on the difficulty of the player’s position.
- League Adjustment: An adjustment to account for the overall difficulty of the league.
- Replacement Runs: The runs a replacement-level player would typically contribute.
- Runs Per Win: The number of runs equivalent to one win, generally around 10.
Example Calculation:
Let’s say a player has the following stats:
- Batting Runs: 30
- Base Running Runs: 5
- Fielding Runs: 10
- Positional Adjustment: -5
- League Adjustment: 2
- Replacement Runs: 20
- Runs Per Win: 10
Plugging these numbers into the formula, we get:
WAR (position players) = (30 + 5 + 10 – 5 + 2 + 20) / 10 = 6.2
Interpretation:
A WAR of 6.2 means this player is worth 6.2 more wins than a replacement-level player. Generally, a WAR above 5 is considered All-Star level, while anything above 8 is MVP caliber.
WAR for Pitchers
Calculating WAR for pitchers is a bit more complex. The formula is:
WAR (pitchers) = [(League “FIP” – “FIP”) / Pitcher Specific Runs Per Win + Replacement Level) * Innings Pitched * Leverage Multiplier for Relievers] / 9 + League Correction
Components of the Formula:
- League “FIP”: The league average Fielding Independent Pitching.
- “FIP”: The pitcher’s own Fielding Independent Pitching.
- Pitcher Specific Runs Per Win: The number of runs per win specific to this pitcher, typically around 9.5.
- Replacement Level: A constant representing the performance of a replacement-level pitcher.
- Innings Pitched: Total innings the pitcher has thrown.
- Leverage Multiplier for Relievers: Adjusts for the higher impact of relievers’ innings.
- League Correction: An adjustment for the overall difficulty of the league.
Example Calculation:
Let’s assume:
- League “FIP”: 4.20
- Pitcher’s “FIP”: 3.50
- Pitcher Specific Runs Per Win: 9.5
- Replacement Level: 20
- Innings Pitched: 180
- Leverage Multiplier for Relievers: 1 (for a starter)
- League Correction: 1
Plugging these numbers into the formula, we get:
WAR (pitchers) = [(4.20 – 3.50) / 9.5 + 20] * 180 / 9 + 1 ≈ 21.15
Interpretation:
A WAR of 21.15 for a pitcher means they are worth approximately 21.15 more wins than a replacement-level pitcher. This is an exceptionally high WAR, indicating an outstanding season.