• WHIP VS. BABIP. One of the few sabermetrics to enter mainstream usage, Walks Plus Hits per Inning Pitched measures the ratio at which a pitcher allows a batter to reach base. Batting Average on Balls In Play (BABIP) calculates how many balls in play against a pitcher go for hits — therefore also measuring a defense's ability to turn balls into outs.
• What's the deal? Used heavily in baseball fantasy leagues to grade pitchers, WHIP is considered a pitcher's equivalent to a hitter's on-base plus slugging (OPS). Some fantasy buffs, however, regard WHIP as too simplistic and say BABIP is a better measurement of a pitcher's performance.
• Crack the WHIP. WHIP is calculated by adding the number of walks and hits allowed and dividing the sum by the number of innings pitched. A WHIP close to, or below, 1 baserunner per inning indicates better performance. For the season, the Braves' Ervin Santanta has allowed 9 walks and 32 hits in 40-2/3 innings for a 1.008 WHIP.
• Why not WHIP? For Santana his BABIP is determined by calculating hits (32), minus homers (2), divided by the sum of at-bats (145), minus strikeouts (43), minus homers (2), plus sacrifice flies (0). Santana's .300 BABIP is slightly higher than the league average of .296.
• So which is better? While Santana's averages are pretty much the norm, it's hard to argue his value (fantasy or otherwise) when he's 4-0 on the season.
*All figures as of Friday.
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