Could someone better explain to me the slugging average?

Question

i read about the slugging average on wikipedia but i cant seem to understand its importance. could someone explain to me better about its significance and why its a good stat to look at? thanks a lot

Answer 1

It's total bases / at bats.

It's a power indicator, but only a power indicator. That's why it's not that great of a stat to look at. Power doesn't necessarily mean that any given individual player is actually contributing to what's referred to as "long-string offense" or long rallies. Power can be the second-last part of a rally, and in fact, when seen this way, a player with a good slugging percentage but who can't get on base except with power is a one-dimensional player who is more likely to kill rallies than anything else.

If you're going to use SLG, then at least combine it with OBP, so that you're looking as OPS, which gives a more complete look at a player's offensive abilities.

Answer 2

Slugging average addresses -- imperfectly, but definitely going in the right direction -- the fact that not all hits are created equal.

Batting average says that a single is the same as a homer, and we know that not to be true. Slugging delivers a clearer message.

Answer 3

The slugging average takes into account how many bases a player advances per at bat (and therefore how many bases he advances a teammate).
For example, if one player hits a single in one at bat, his batting average is 1.000, but he only advanced himself one base and will need additional help to score. If another player hits a home run in his only at bat, his batting average is the same, 1.000, but his slugging percentage is 4.000. He advanced four bases, thereby helping his team to a greater degree. You cannot tell that he was a greater help to his team by his batting average, but his slugging percentage tells the story.