wOBA and RC+ for Fantasy Baseball 2026

Using Handedness to Exploit wOBA 

When you add handedness to this metric (wOBAvR and wOBAvL) to determine how a hitter handles different handed pitchers is critical especially for analyzing single game performance for daily fantasy sports.

This is how it is most used for pitchers as well. When we use handedness for pitchers and can show those two metrics for the lineup they will face, we can identify the hitters who are most likely to perform on that night.

What Is wRC+?

Now let’s talk about Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+). It is a way to compare hitters across teams, ballparks, and even eras. It answers the question, “how good is this player really?”  How can it do that you ask?

So the reason that this is with wOBA is because it is used in the formula for weighted runs created (wRC).  The definition from FanGraphs is:

wRC= [wOBA scale(wOBA−lg wOBA)​+lg R/PA]×PA

Where:

• wOBA = the player's weighted On-Base Average
• lg wOBA = league-average wOBA
• wOBA scale = a yearly constant (~1.20–1.30 depending on season)
• lg R/PA = league runs per plate appearance
• PA = plate appearances

Then you have to normalize it to 100 to get wRC+.  Now it is usable. It adjusts for ballparks, which is huge. A hitter playing in Seattle or Detroit has a harder environment than one in Cincinnati or Colorado. wRC+ addresses that.

Why wRC+ Helps Beginners

The beauty of wRC+ is that it removes context. If you want to compare two hitters quickly, this is a good starting point. The stat tells you how much better or worse the hitter is than the league average, regardless of where he plays.

If a player has a 128 wRC+, he’s clearly an above-average hitter even if his counting stats are not great. If another hitter has a paltry 88 wRC+, it means his production is below average even if he is hitting home runs early in the season.  By definition, 100 is average.  For qualification of what the numbers mean to you: Aaron Judge led the league with wRC+ of 203.  All the top 25 were greater than 130.  So, greater than 120 is solid.

Using wOBA and wRC+ Together in Drafts

Chocolate and peanut butter?  Maybe not, but when you put wOBA and RC+ together, you get a complete picture of hitting skill. wOBA shows how much potential the hitter delivers every time he steps to the plate. wRC+ shows how he compares to the league once you adjust for ballpark and league average compared to any era. Use both in your draft prep.

Final Thoughts

Look, you cannot make every drafting decision or in-season decision based on metrics.  The more at bats or innings of players you watch, the better you will know if they are seeing the ball well or throwing it to their spots with movement.  In the end that is what makes this fun.  The games need to be part of this or you are just playing a stats game.  That said…

Winning is MORE FUN than losing

wOBA is very effective in daily fantasy sports or if you go to the detail of breaking down your start sits for starting pitchers.  This is especially true when you add handedness into your study regimen.

wRC+ takes wOBA to another level by first taking out the context of the numbers and then normalizing them versus the rest of the league.  Hope this helps to understand some of the helpful stats in the game.

People Also Ask

1. What is a good wOBA in fantasy baseball?
   A good wOBA is anything above .340. A .360 or higher usually signals a strong hitter.
   
2. Is wRC+ better than OPS?
   Yes. wRC+ adjusts for ballparks and league context, making it more accurate.
   
3. Can beginners use advanced stats in drafts?
   Absolutely. You only need a few core numbers like wOBA and wRC+ to gain an edge.
   
4. Do wOBA and wRC+ predict breakout hitters?
   Often yes. Rising year-over-year wOBA and consistent RC+ above 110 can signal a breakout.
5. Are wOBA and wRC+ good for points leagues?
   Yes. Both help identify players who get on base and hit for power, which boosts scoring.