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You are here: Home / All The Lingo / Sports Terms That Begin With ‘W’ / Wins Above Replacement (WAR)

Wins Above Replacement (WAR)

wins a*bove re*place*ment

What Is The Definition Of Wins Above Replacement In Baseball?

1.What Is Wins Above Replacement (WAR) In Baseball? Definition & Meaning The wins above replacement statistic, or WAR, represents the additional wins a team has obtained as a result of a player’s contributions. The figure is a comparison with the number of expected wins a team would have if the player were substituted with a replacement-level player (a readily available Minor League player or free agent). A number of factors are considered to obtain this figure, including the number of runs above average a player earns, the player’s position, and the player’s league.

In short, the wins above replacement statistic is a non-standardized statistic used to help determine a player’s total contribution to their team.

How Is The Wins Above Replacement Statistic Calculated?

The formula for determining WAR depends on the baseball player’s position. 

A position player’s WAR is calculated by combining the number of runs a player scores when batting, fielding, baserunning, and/or as a replacement with positional and league adjustments and then dividing that number by the number of runs per win. 

A pitcher’s WAR factors in league and ballpark averages. It is determined by using an FIP or an RA9 formula that computes the pitcher’s worth with his total number of innings pitched.

Why Is WAR A Useful Statistic?

The WAR statistic is useful because it helps determine a player’s value to the baseball team. A player’s WAR tells about their offensive and defensive production as well as their positional value. 

Examples Of How Wins Above Replacement Is Used In Commentary

1. Jose Altuve led the majors with an 8.3 WAR in 2017, showing he was not only the most valuable player in the league, but also the most irreplaceable player on a World Series winner.

Sports The Term Is Used

1. Baseball

Abbreviated As:

1. WAR

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