VORP Oddity...

[Lintyfresh85]

I've been looking at VORP of different players throughout the league... and I've gotta say... I'm more confused than when I started.

For example

Player A hits .305/.375/.503 in 292 at bats. He has 11HR's/38RBI's, has scored 41 runs, and walked 27 times.

Player B hits .314/.380/.581 in 236 at bats. He has 16HR's/37RBI's, has scored 42 runs, and walked 26 times.

Player A has five more doubles than Player B, but they both have 2 triples.

Player A has a VORP of 35.6
Player B has a VORP of 27.5

Does 56 at bats really make that much of a difference? A higher AVG./OBP./SLG. more HR's, more runs scored, and one less RBI/BB.

I would think Player B would have a higher VORP. Am I wrong in thinking that?

[Andrew]

It's by position. What positions do they play?

[Riverman]

It could be that VORP is adjusted for position. I don't understand how it is calculated. Does player A play a more demanding defensive position?

[Andrew]

It could be that VORP is adjusted for position. I don't understand how it is calculated. Does player A play a more demanding defensive position?

I believe the thinking is that a replacement player at 1B, for example, is going to be a better hitter than a replacement player at 2B. So if a 1B and 2B have similar numbers the 2B will have a higher VORP.

[Lintyfresh85]

Player A: SS
Player B: 2B

[mahoney2]

I'd imagine Harcourt is skewing things, at least a bit. He's far superior to anyone at either of those positions, since he's a 2B, he's raising the bar for VORP for everyone that is a 2B.

[Andrew]

Player A: SS
Player B: 2B

That's confusing then since you would think the value of a replacement player at those positions is about the same.

[Clay]

I'd imagine Harcourt is skewing things, at least a bit. He's far superior to anyone at either of those positions, since he's a 2B, he's raising the bar for VORP for everyone that is a 2B.

You're welcome.

[Andrew]

I'd imagine Harcourt is skewing things, at least a bit. He's far superior to anyone at either of those positions, since he's a 2B, he's raising the bar for VORP for everyone that is a 2B.

Yeah that makes sense.

[Riverman]

I'd imagine Harcourt is skewing things, at least a bit. He's far superior to anyone at either of those positions, since he's a 2B, he's raising the bar for VORP for everyone that is a 2B.

So in other words you are saying that one of the factors in calculating VORP is the current-year stats of players at the same position. So players at the same position with the exact same stats will have different VORP if the years are different.

[Carlos]

So in other words you are saying that one of the factors in calculating VORP is the current-year stats of players at the same position. So players at the same position with the exact same stats will have different VORP if the years are different.

I believe that's the whole point of VORP. Comparing performance at a position in that season.

[Ryan]

I believe that's the whole point of VORP. Comparing performance at a position in that season.

That is correct. Vorp is a cool stat, but since its by position, it leaves lots to be desired.

[Gyrodork]

My thinking is that VORP loses most of its usefulness if it isn't based on position. I think of it in terms of drafting a fantasy roster. You have to fill/play every position. Taking the best players regardless of position would leave good bats and arms on the bench; and lesser players (playing different positions) would make it into the starting lineup. With each pick/roster change you want the guy who distances himself the most from his positional peers. (Hypodermically speaking...)

[Ryan]

My thinking is that VORP loses most of its usefulness if it isn't based on position. I think of it in terms of drafting a fantasy roster. You have to fill/play every position. Taking the best players regardless of position would leave good bats and arms on the bench; and lesser players (playing different positions) would make it into the starting lineup. With each pick/roster change you want the guy who distances himself the most from his positional peers. (Hypodermically speaking...)

Oh, no doubt. I was just speaking in terms of overall player value.