In baseball, WHIP is an acronym that represents Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched. It is a statistic used to measure a pitcher’s ability to keep runners off base. The calculation involves adding the total number of walks and hits allowed and then dividing that sum by the number of innings pitched. For example, a pitcher with 100 walks, 150 hits, and 200 innings pitched would have a statistic of 1.25.
This metric offers a quick assessment of a pitcher’s effectiveness beyond earned run average (ERA). A lower value generally indicates better performance, signifying that the pitcher is limiting baserunners. Historically, it has become a standard tool for evaluating pitching performance and predicting future success or struggles on the mound. Its simple calculation allows for easy comparison between pitchers across different eras and leagues.
