Run average is calculated out just like you do with batting average except you use runs instead of hits. So runs divided by official at bats equals a player’s run average.
Run average is a simple and effective way to determine how good a run scorer a player is. While many people look at on base percentage (OBP) as a way to determine a player’s capabilities in scoring runs, run average is arguably a more effective stat. While a player who gets on base at a high rate might score a lot of runs a player with a high run average is actually scoring runs at a high rate.
Run average is a much more valuable stat than batting average because a player who actually scores runs is much more valuable to a team than a player with just a high batting average.
In 2007 Japanese import Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners was second in the major leagues in batting average at .351 (behind Magglio Ordonez of the Detroit Tigers at .363). But Ichiro's run average was just .164. Gary Sheffield of the Detroit Tigers batted just .265 but his run average was .217. Despite a batting average that was .086 lower than Ichiro's, Gary Sheffield was a much better run scorer per at bat in 2007.
What is generally a good run average? Anything over .150 is good. Anything above .200 is excellent, and the very best players in history have occasionally gone over .300 in some seasons. The all time highest run average in baseball belongs to Babe Ruth at .259.
Players Who Had a Run Average Over .200 Last Season With a Minimum of 300 At Bats:
- Alex Rodriguez - .245
- Barry Bonds - .221
- Gary Sheffield - .217
- Rickie Weeks - .213
- David Ortiz - .211
- Kaz Matsui - .205
- Bobby Abreu - .203
- Ryan Braun - .202
- Carlos Pena - .202
Interesting list as it contains a couple of steroids linked players, an MVP, a Rookie of the Year, a Comeback Player of the Year, Big Papi of the World Champion Boston Red Sox, two New York Yankees, two Milwaukee Brewers, a Japanese player and a player who was recently indicted.
