OPS, BA/RISP

Quick definitions:
OBP = ( H + BB + HBP ) / (AB + BB + HBP + SF)
SLG = TB / AB

OPS = OBP + SLG

OPS (on-base plus slugging) is a stupid stat. A discussion with a friend has led me to believe this. They weigh equally OBP and SLG even though, SLG to a certain extent encapsulates OBP (except BBs and HBPs). But then again, no one ever said OPS was a good statistic.

That led into the discussion of the single best statistic determining a player's overall offensive value. I believe that BA w/ RISP (batting average with runners in scoring position) is among those most important stats because it captures both hitting and clutch hitting. Since it's a percentage, it's also scaled to those who don't necessarily have as many RISP opportunities (i.e. leadoff hitters), but of course it does not take into account hitting for power. Personally, I do believe that hitting for power is important, but not as important as consistent hitting for contact.

Harrison then posed the following question: in terms of offensive value, who would I pick: Kevin Youkilis or Aramis Ramirez?

K. Youkilis: AVG .331 | HR 8 | RBI 36 | R 45 | OBP .413 | SLG .502 | OPS .915
A. Ramirez: AVG .300 | HR 14 | RBI 41 | R 29 | OBP .354 | SLG .547 | OPS .901
* Stats as of June 24, 2007

Even though their OPSs are nearly identical, there are a couple key differences between Youk and Aramis. For one, Youk is more a leadoff man, a solid contact hitter, who was once known as the "Greek God of Walks". He has some pop in his bat but he isn't going to hit 30 HRs in a season. Aramis, on the other hand, bats 4th or 5th, and has hit 30+ HRs and 90+ RBIs in each of the last 3 seasons.

Here's something to chew on:
K. Youkilis: BA/RISP .343
A. Ramirez: BA/RISP .277

Now the choice seems more clear.

Sources:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/stats/