FYI: The Three Slash (AVG)

When you're looking at baseball statistics, sometimes the numbers can be a little overwhelming. And quite frankly, with the incorporation of sabermetrics more and more, things are getting a little overwhelming. But, 3 things that you're almost always going to see are Batting Average (AVG), On-Base Percentage (OBP), and Slugging Percentage (SLG). Nowadays these are more used in a descriptive nature, rather than an absolute measure of a player, but either way is still helpful when you want to get the 'feel' for a player. Most of the time you'll see these values represented as follows: AVG/OBP/SLG (i.e. .318/.345/.403). So, let's take a look at what exactly each of these things are exactly, one at a time. 

Batting Average

Batting average is pretty simple. It's basically the percentage of how much you get on base by hitting the ball. Key words: getting on base by HITTING (walks don't count). The number is displayed as follows: 

The way that you would say a batting average would be "he's batting three-hundred!" How is this number calculated? Glad you asked! 

So, a .284 batting average, for example, would mean that this guy is batting 284 and he's getting on base 28.4% of his plate appearances (PAs - times he comes to the plate for at-bats). What does this all mean? Well, I will give you a brief run-down, but everyone can see batting averages a little differently (thus these being more descriptive terms). Anything around .250 and higher, you're doing alright for yourself. When you start sinking to .230-.200, you aren't doing so hot and when you get down below .200, expect calls for your head, death treats and just plain HATE from the fans (see: 2013 B.J. Upton [.184] and Dan Uggla [.179]). On the other end of the spectrum, batting .400 is almost a near-impossibility it seems. The last person to do that was Ted Williams in 1941. Nineteen Forty-One!! 

To give you a little context, the National League Batting Title (the player in the National League with the highest batting average at the end of the regular season with at least 502 PAs) in 2013 was Michael Cuddyer with a batting average of .331, who was followed closely by our very own Brave - Chris Johnson (.321). 

Also pictured, my very own Braves crush, Brandon Beachy. <3

(July 28, 2013 - Scott Cunningham, Getty Images North America)

So there you have it, Batting Average. Next blog: On-Base Percentage (OBP)

PS - Here's a few things that have been happening around Braves Country!

First, the Braves Caravan dates have been announced! Go HERE to see if they are coming to a city near you! Sadly, they aren't coming back to South Georgia. I'm so upset. I don't want to talk about it. I wish you better luck than I had.

Second, there are only 39 DAYS UNTIL PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT to Spring Training and 85 DAYS UNTIL OPENING DAY!