Range factor


Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by the number of innings or games played at a given defense position. The statistic is premised on the notion that the total number of outs in which a player participates is more relevant in evaluating that player's defensive play than the percentage of cleanly handled chances as calculated by the conventional statistic fielding percentage.
However, some positions may have substantially more putouts because of a superior infield around them that commits fewer errors and turns many double plays, allowing them to receive credit for more putouts. Also, catchers who have many strikeout pitchers on their team will have a high range factor, because the catcher gets the putout on a strikeout if the batter does not reach base.

All Time Single Season Leaders

First Base (minimum 80 games)

  1. Jiggs Donahue: 12.65
  2. Jiggs Donahue: 12.35
  3. Phil Todt: 12.21
  4. George Burns: 12.10
  5. Stuffy McInnis: 12.10

    Second Base (minimum 80 games)

  6. Fred Pfeffer: 7.29
  7. Jack Burdock: 7.18
  8. Joe Quest: 7.16
  9. Pop Smith: 7.13
  10. Bid McPhee: 7.09

    Shortstop (minimum 80 games)

  11. Hughie Jennings: 6.73
  12. George Davis: 6.69
  13. Dave Bancroft: 6.62
  14. Hughie Jennings: 6.56
  15. Hughie Jennings: 6.55

    Third Base (minimum 80 games)

  16. Billy Shindle: 4.34
  17. Jumbo Davis: 4.33
  18. Billy Alvord: 4.31
  19. Bill Bradley: 4.29
  20. Jimmy Collins: 4.26

    Pitcher (minimum 250 innings pitched)

  21. Harry Howell: 5.24
  22. Harry Howell: 4.97
  23. Ed Walsh: 4.68
  24. Will White: 4.56
  25. George Mullin: 4.24
  26. Nick Altrock: 4.21
  27. Tony Mullane: 4.20
  28. Willie Sudhoff: 4.19
  29. Red Donahue: 4.14
  30. Nick Altrock: 4.13

    Catcher (minimum 81 games)

  31. Damian Miller: 8.89
  32. Damian Miller: 8.64
  33. Barney Gilligan: 8.63
  34. Michael Barrett: 8.32
  35. Duffy Dyer: 8.25
  36. Javy López: 8.17
  37. Joe Azcue: 8.06
  38. Mike Piazza: 8.05
  39. Johnny Edwards: 8.04
  40. Johnny Edwards: 8.03

    Right Field (minimum 80 games)

  41. Babe Herman: 2.81
  42. Harry Heilmann: 2.78
  43. Paul Waner: 2.68
  44. Al Kaline: 2.63
  45. Dave Parker: 2.63
  46. Chuck Klein: 2.60
  47. Roberto Clemente: 2.58
  48. Dwight Evans: 2.57
  49. Tony Armas: 2.53

    Center Field (minimum 80 games)

  50. Taylor Douthit: 3.62
  51. Richie Ashburn: 3.59
  52. Thurman Tucker: 3.55
  53. Kirby Puckett: 3.55
  54. Chet Lemon: 3.52
  55. Irv Noren: 3.45
  56. Richie Ashburn: 3.42
  57. Carden Gillenwater: 3.39
  58. Sam West: 3.38
  59. Richie Ashburn: 3.34

    Left Field (minimum 80 games)

  60. Rickey Henderson 3.12
  61. Ed Delahanty: 2.98
  62. Joe Vosmik: 2.90
  63. Ed Delahanty: 2.83
  64. Fred Clarke: 2.76
  65. Charlie Jamieson: 2.74
  66. Goose Goslin: 2.73
  67. Bobby Veach: 2.72
  68. Elmer Valo: 2.69
  69. Al Simmons: 2.67