How to Calculate the FIP Statistic

FIP, Fielding Independent Pitching, is a prominent sabermetrics statistic invented by Tom M. Tango. It is designed to measure the three outcomes of a batter-pitcher matchup determined to be controllable skills of the pitcher. It is similarly scaled to the ERA statistic in order to ensure that fans and readers understand what it is explaining. The following are steps to calculating the FIP Statistic.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• HR given up by the pitcher
• BB allowed
• Strikeouts
• Innings pitched

1. Record the number of home runs allowed, walks surrendered, strikeouts and total innings pitched for a given pitcher.

   For the sake of this article, we will use a pitcher with 10 home runs allowed, 25 walks and 60 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched.

2. Multiply the number of home runs by 13 (13 x 10 equals 130).

3. Multiply the number of walks by 3 (3 x 25 equals 75).

4. Multiply the number of strikeouts by 2 (2 x 60 equals 120).

5. Add the products from Steps #2 and #3 (130 + 75 equals 205). Subtract the number of strikeouts (205 - 120 equals 85).

6. Divide the total from Step #5 by the total innings pitched (85 divided by 40 equals 2.13).

7. Whatever the quotient is, always add 3.20 (2.13 + 3.20 equals 5.33. The pitcher's FIP of 5.33 suggests his ERA should be somewhere in that range, rather than what it is generally calculated as.