Among the traditional indicators for evaluating batters, classic statistics such as batting average and on-base percentage are representative. It is intuitive and familiar and is still used in many fields. However, there are also blind spots. For example, batting average is interpreted as one hit for both singles and home runs.
After going through indicators that can more accurately express a batter’s scoring production, such as OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage), we are currently in an era where batters are evaluated using various saber indicators, such as adjusted scoring production (wRC+). After the introduction of the ‘Statcast’ system in 2015, various indicators are being developed by carefully analyzing the expectations of hits, taking into account the hitting quality of batters. 바카라사이트닷컴
Among these, wRC+, which is increasingly being used not only in the Major League but also in the KBO League, is a record that calculates a batter’s offensive production as well as ancillary values such as park factor, and is the most accurate batting value that expresses scoring production among existing batting records. It is becoming known. 100 is the league average. A score of 115 or higher, which means 15% higher than the average, can be considered a definite plus, a score over 140 is an excellent score, and a score over 160 is an MVP-level score.
According to the wRC+ calculated by the statistics website ‘FanGraphs’, there are only 8 players (Yang Jun-hyuk twice) who recorded a wRC+ of 200 or more in a single season. Baek In-cheon (MBC) in 1982, Eric Thames (NC) in 2015, Jang Hyo-jo (Samsung) in 1983, Yang Jun-hyuk (Samsung) in 1993 and 1996, Shim Jeong-su (Hyundai) in 2003, Lee Man-soo (Samsung) in 1984, and 1991. This is Jong-Hoon Jang (Binggrae). Among them, only Shim Jeong-soo and Thames are the players who achieved the feat in the 21st century, and Thames is the only player who has achieved it since 2010.
Thames re-entered the major league after posting outstanding results for three years in the KBO League. His wRC+ in 2014 was 168.3. If this were a normal season, this would be a performance that would allow him to challenge for MVP. 2015 was the best year ever. It recorded 222.3, the highest record since Baek In-cheon (227.0) in the first year. This is the second-highest record ever. At the time, no player since Thames had broken the wRC+ barrier of 200.
So, there is a player I am particularly disappointed with this year. This is Na Seong-beom (34 KIA), who had a late start to the season due to a calf injury. Although it is difficult to make an accurate judgment due to the small sample size, Na Seong-beom has been producing record-breaking results since his late start.
Na Seong-beom, who played in the first team game for the first time this season on June 23, has achieved impressive results in 52 games since then, with a batting average of 0.362, 16 home runs, 51 RBI, and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 1.098. This is the result of high accuracy, on-base percentage (.430), and slugging percentage (.668). He hit 16 home runs and 51 RBIs in just 52 games. Considering the league environment where home runs are not frequent this year, Na Seong-beom’s current performance is special.
Na Seong-beom’s wRC+, as calculated by ‘Statistics’, is a whopping 206.9. Excluding 2019, when the season ended early due to injury, Na Seong-beom’s previous record was 157.4 last year. This is also an excellent performance, and this year, he is showing great performance as if he is making up for not being able to play properly in the first half of the year.
Of course, it is difficult to judge everything based on the numbers falling short of the regulation at-bats. It is highly likely that he would not have achieved this level of performance had he played full time. This is because there is a physical problem. However, even if it falls slightly from this figure, it can be assumed that if he had waited from the beginning of the season, it would have been enough to compete in the MVP race with Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha). This is because even if the ratio stats were much lower than now, the cumulative stats would have been competitive. It is a calf injury that is unfortunate in many ways.
Na Seong-beom says that the time he spent with his calf injury was not completely meaningless. In fact, he is confident that his body has become stronger and healthier through more thorough exercise, original weight training, and new stretching techniques. The results are also showing up in the second half of the year. The decrease in strikeouts is also noticeable. Even after missing more than half of the season, he has already contributed more than most players, so it is natural that expectations are high for his future performance.
It’s a bit disappointing, but there’s still work to do. His team KIA is competing fiercely for second place. Considering only the car in the current rankings, KIA may rise to second place, but various scenarios await, such as falling to sixth place. If Na Seong-beom, who is in the second year of a large six-year contract worth a total of 15 billion won, can dominate the team’s fall, any thoughts of not being able to play in the first half of the season can be completely erased.