WANG
Weighted Assessment of Normalized Glovework
A comprehensive defensive evaluation system developed by myCPBL, named in honor of Taiwan's legendary Wang family of baseball players.
Overview
WANG is myCPBL's proprietary defensive metric that measures a player's total defensive contribution in terms of runs saved compared to an average fielder at the same position. It combines multiple components to create a comprehensive picture of defensive value.
Components
Range Runs (rRANG)
Measures a fielder's ability to get to balls in their defensive zone. Based on the number of plays made compared to the expected plays for an average fielder, converted to run value.
Error Runs (rERR)
Accounts for the run cost of errors committed. Compares a player's error rate to the league average at their position.
Arm Runs (rARM)
Evaluates the throwing arm contribution, primarily for outfielders (preventing extra bases) and catchers (throwing out baserunners). For infielders, this is typically included in range.
Double Play Runs (rDP)
Measures the ability to turn double plays for middle infielders (2B, SS). Compares double plays turned to expected based on opportunities.
Catcher-Specific Components
Catchers have unique defensive responsibilities that require specialized metrics beyond standard fielding.
Stolen Base Runs (rSB)
Evaluates a catcher's ability to control the running game by throwing out baserunners. Compares caught stealing rate to league average, weighted by the run value of preventing stolen bases.
Blocking Runs (rBLK)
Measures a catcher's ability to block pitches in the dirt, preventing passed balls and wild pitches from advancing runners. Based on balls blocked compared to expected given pitch location and type.
Interpretation
| WANG Value | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|
| +15 or higher | Elite | Gold Glove caliber defense |
| +5 to +14 | Great | Well above average defender |
| -4 to +4 | Average | League average defense |
| -14 to -5 | Below Avg | Defensive liability |
| -15 or lower | Poor | Consider position change |
About the Name
WANG is named in tribute to Taiwan's legendary Wang (王) family of baseball players, including Wang Chien-ming (王建民), one of the greatest Taiwanese players to reach MLB. The character 王 means "king" in Chinese, reflecting our goal of identifying the kings of defense in CPBL.