The OPS Animals

Since the NCAA has released its weekly statistical rankings for the last two weeks, it's easier to see who's really standing out across the nation. Alabama's Kent Matthes has been on a tear for the first month and a half of the 2009 season, but it's been hard to compare what he's doing to others without the NCAA rankings.

I thought I would take a quick sample of the top "OPS Animals" (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) across the country heading into week seven of the season.

Here's a quick look at the top ten as of March 29th (the reporting date for this week's NCAA stats rankings).:

Slug%-OBP=OPS

1. Brett Nommensen-Eastern Illinois-.923-.613= 1.536
His on-base percentage leads the nation thanks in part to 17 BB and 11 times HBP. He also has 9 doubles and 8 home runs.

2. Ryan Enos-Dallas Baptist-.944-.560= 1.504
He's hit 10 home runs with 11 doubles along with 13 BB and 6 HBP.

3. Rich Poythress-Georgia-.936-.556= 1.492
He's hit 13 home runs with 7 doubles, and he's walked 22 times. He also leads the nation with 47 RBIs.

4. Jason Kipnis-Arizona State-.914-.569= 1.483
Has 10 doubles with 8 home runs, and with 20 BB his OBP is 4th in the nation.

5. Kent Matthes-Alabama-1.000-.487= 1.487
Leads the nation with 16 HR, Slg% and 96 total bases. He's also third with 43 RBIs.

6. Pat Irvine-Elon-.933-.526= 1.459
He's hit 9 home runs and has walked 15 times.

7. Bryce Brentz-Middle Tennessee-.952-.505= 1.457
His slg% is second in the nation, and his 12 home runs are fourth. He also has a pair of triples and 80 total bases.

8. Jeff Hanson-Sacred Heart-.918-.500= 1.418
He's belted 7 home runs so far.

9. Blake Forsythe-Tennessee-.890-.526= 1.416
He has 11 home runs, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 19 BB, and 4 HBP. He's also tenth nationally with 81 total bases.

10. Marvin McWhorter, Jr.-Jackson State-.828-.583= 1.411
His OBP ranks third nationally. None of his stats jump-off the page, but he's solid across the board with 4 HR, 5 doubles, 2 triples, and 7 HBP.

Notice that there are no New Mexico or New Mexico State players in the top ten on the OPS rankings, but the Lobos and Aggies rank third and first, respectively, in teams slugging percentage. The two teams are also at or near the top of a lot of other team and individual NCAA stat rankings.

Coming-up in tomorrow's blog: What's in the water in New Mexico.