My First Venture Into Sabermetrics (Help!)

[metsfan001]

Today, I created my first sabermetrics formula in the search for an "all-around" offensive stat. I realize that this will look like the worst formula ever to a sabermetrician, but:

H*HR*SB/(2AB)

I realize that there are some huge flaws, mainly that the left side needs to be weighted, but it's my first try. Currently, I am figuring this stat out for the top 100 in each category, so I will then see whether or not it favors, say, people with more or less at-bats. My real question is: could this ever possibly work out after lots of tweaking, or is the entire foundation way off? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Metsfan001 :)

[Sandy]

It *could* be useful in terms of creating ROTO rankings (though you'd want to add in RBI if that is what you were after).

My first thought is that when you start multiplying instead of adding, you get some BIG numbers quickly - and zeroes BREAK the forumula. Part of the key is in determining what you *want* to measure with a forumula.

Example: Come up with a couple of examples, view the results, and decide if these agree with what you're trying to do.

Batter A: 200 hits * 35 HR * 0 SB = 0
Batter B: 10 hits * 5 HR * 10 SB = 500

The #1 problem with multipliers is ZEROES. Regardless of at bats, do you REALLY think Batter B is better than A?

A 'better' metric might be: (where wt1, wt2 and wt3 are to be determined).

(Hits * wt1) + (HR * wt2) + (SB * wt3) / AB*X

[metsfan001]

Hmm. . . that might work.