What is a good WHIP for a pitcher?

A good WHIP in Major League Baseball is generally considered to be anything below 1.25. An WHIP under 1.00 is exceptional and typically reserved for the league's elite pitchers. The league average usually falls between 1.30 and 1.35.

Why is WHIP a useful statistic?

WHIP is useful because it provides a clear measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent baserunners. Fewer baserunners generally leads to fewer runs being scored. Unlike ERA (Earned Run Average), which can be affected by defensive errors, WHIP focuses on outcomes that are more directly under the pitcher's control (walks and hits).

What is not included in the WHIP calculation?

The WHIP formula does not include batters who reach base via an error, a fielder's choice, a dropped third strike, or catcher's interference. It also does not include hit-by-pitches. This is a key difference from On-Base Percentage (OBP), which includes almost all ways a batter can reach base.

WHIP Calculator: Calculate Walks and Hits Per Inning Pitched

What is WHIP?

WHIP stands for Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched. It is a sabermetric baseball statistic created to measure a pitcher's effectiveness at preventing batters from reaching base. A lower WHIP indicates better performance, as it means the pitcher allows fewer baserunners on average per inning.

How is WHIP Calculated?

The formula for WHIP is straightforward:

WHIP = (Walks + Hits) / Innings Pitched

It's important to handle partial innings correctly. An inning pitched with one out is represented as .1, and with two outs as .2. For example, 150.1 innings is 150 and 1/3 innings.

What is a Good WHIP?

Like ERA, a lower WHIP is better. The standard for a "good" WHIP in Major League Baseball is as follows:

Below 1.00: Excellent / Ace
1.00 - 1.25: Very Good
1.25 - 1.35: Above Average / League Average
1.35 - 1.50: Below Average
Above 1.50: Poor

For more official statistics and definitions, you can visit the MLB.com Glossary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between WHIP and ERA?

WHIP measures a pitcher's ability to prevent baserunners, while ERA (Earned Run Average) measures their ability to prevent runs from scoring. WHIP is often seen as a better indicator of a pitcher's underlying skill because it focuses on events the pitcher has more direct control over (walks and hits) and is less affected by the performance of the defense behind them.

Does a hit-by-pitch count towards WHIP?

No, a hit-by-pitch (HBP) is not included in the standard WHIP calculation. The formula only includes walks and hits in the numerator. This is one of the main criticisms of the stat, as an HBP still puts a runner on base.

Who has the lowest single-season WHIP in MLB history?

The record for the lowest single-season WHIP in Major League Baseball history (among qualified pitchers) belongs to Pedro Martínez, who posted a 0.737 WHIP for the Boston Red Sox in the 2000 season.