Nate Schwartz (@_nateschwartz) and Kyle Bland (@blandalytics) talk about what goes into wRC+ and why it’s a strong, all-encompassing hitter stat.
They start by discussing wOBA—the basis for wRC+. It’s an important hitting stat that values outcomes in a slightly stronger way than OPS. Surprisingly, the under-the-surface nuances are more understandable for wOBA than OPS. They transition into talking about how wRC+ includes factors such as league environment and park factors, making it a useful contextual tool for any hitter. Additionally, they discuss how the single number can be useful for analyzing player quality but can miss some fantasy-specific stats. Finally, they discuss any gaps in wRC+ and how stable it is. Process+ is also mentioned as an effective tool to predict wRC+ both in-season and across seasons.
Articles discussed: Weighted On Base Average or wOBA, Tom Tango; Guts!, Fangraphs; DRC+: Updates and Improvements, Jonathan Judge; What is Process+? Pitcher List’s New All-Encompassing Hitting Stat, Nate Schwartz (shameless self-plug)
