Weighted Runs Created Plus, or wRC+, is one of the best stats currently out there to measure offensive performance.
By the league’s definition, “wRC+ takes the statistic Runs Created and adjusts that number to account for important external factors — like ballpark or era. It’s adjusted, so a wRC+ of 100 is league average and 150 would be 50 percent above league average,”
The wRC+ formula contains wRAA, or weighted Runs Above Average, which in turn is based on wOBA (weighted On-Base Average).
The wOBA stat examines offensive performance by assigning a specific value to each batted ball event (home runs are worth more than singles, for example).
Now, what does all of this have to do with the New York Mets?
Well, everything.
Alonso And McNeil Used Two Paths To Contribute The Same Offensive Output
Since wRC+ is used to evaluate offensive performance, you will find it surprising to learn that Pete Alonso, a renowned power hitter with a few batting average issues; and Jeff McNeil, MLB’s batting champion who doesn’t have too much power, have an identical 143 wRC+.
They were both 43 percent better than the league average hitter offensively.
“Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil both finished with a wRC+ of 143 (tied for seventh in the NL). Love that. Two super different paths to the same number,” Newsday’s Tim Healey tweeted.
Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil both finished with a wRC+ of 143 (tied for seventh in the NL). Love that. Two super different paths to the same number.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) October 6, 2022
wOBA doesn’t care how you did it: you could slug your way to a high wOBA; or keep your average high while hitting a lot of doubles but both paths, in this specific case, led to the exact same wRC+.
Alonso hit 40 home runs with a .271 batting average; while McNeil slugged just nine round-trippers with a .326 average.
Analytics and advanced stats are so cool and valuable that what they are telling us is that no matter their style, these two hitters contribute about the same offensive output.
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