1. What is WHIP in Baseball?

WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) is a baseball statistic that measures the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It's a key indicator of a pitcher's effectiveness at preventing batters from reaching base.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the WHIP formula:

Where:

• \( Walks \) — Number of bases on balls issued by pitcher
• \( Hits \) — Number of hits allowed by pitcher
• \( Innings\ Pitched \) — Total innings pitched (can include fractions like 6.2)

Explanation: The formula divides the sum of walks and hits by the number of innings pitched to determine how many baserunners the pitcher allows per inning on average.

3. Importance of WHIP Calculation

Details: WHIP is one of the most important pitching statistics as it directly measures a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base. Lower WHIP values indicate better performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total walks (count), total hits allowed (count), and innings pitched (can include fractions like 5.1 for 5 1/3 innings). All values must be valid (non-negative numbers with innings > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good WHIP in baseball?
A: Generally, a WHIP below 1.00 is excellent, 1.00-1.25 is very good, 1.25-1.32 is average, and above 1.32 is below average.

Q2: How is WHIP different from ERA?
A: WHIP measures baserunners allowed, while ERA (Earned Run Average) measures runs allowed. WHIP is considered a better predictor of future performance.

Q3: Does WHIP include hit by pitch?
A: No, standard WHIP only includes walks and hits. Some advanced metrics include hit by pitch (HBP) as well.

Q4: What's the MLB average WHIP?
A: The MLB average WHIP typically ranges between 1.30 and 1.35, varying slightly by season and league.

Q5: Can WHIP be used for relief pitchers?
A: Yes, WHIP is equally valid for starters and relievers, though relievers often have slightly better WHIPs due to shorter outings.