Walks plus hits divided by innings pitched provides a measure of a pitcher’s propensity to allow baserunners. A lower value generally indicates a more effective pitcher. For example, a pitcher who allows 60 walks and 120 hits in 180 innings pitched would have a value of 1.00. This is calculated by adding the total number of walks and hits allowed, then dividing that sum by the total innings pitched.
This statistic offers a quick assessment of a pitcher’s control and ability to limit opposing batters’ opportunities. Historically, this measurement has grown in prominence as a readily available and easily understood metric for evaluating pitching performance, complementing traditional statistics like earned run average. It allows for a more holistic understanding of a pitcher’s effectiveness beyond simply preventing runs.
