FIP Calculator (Fielding Independent Pitching)
Calculate fielding independent pitching statistics to measure pitcher effectiveness
Calculate FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching)
FIP Constant
Default: 3.214 (2019 league constant). Typically ranges from 3.1-3.2
Home runs allowed by pitcher
Base on balls issued
Batters hit by pitch
Strikeouts recorded
Total innings pitched (e.g., 145.2 for 145 and 2/3 innings)
FIP Results
Formula: FIP = ((13 * HR) + (3 * (BB + HBP)) - (2 * K)) / IP + constant
Performance Analysis
Example Calculation
Sample Pitcher Statistics
Home Runs Allowed: 21
Walks: 55
Hit by Pitch: 13
Strikeouts: 235
Innings Pitched: 145.0
FIP Constant: 3.214 (2019 league)
Calculation
FIP = ((13 * 21) + (3 * (55 + 13)) - (2 * 235)) / 145 + 3.214
FIP = (273 + 204 - 470) / 145 + 3.214
FIP = 7 / 145 + 3.214
FIP = 0.048 + 3.214
FIP = 3.262
FIP Rating Scale
FIP Tips
FIP measures only what pitchers can control
Lower FIP indicates better pitching performance
FIP is more predictive of future ERA than current ERA
Large FIP-ERA differences suggest regression
Understanding FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching)
What is FIP?
Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) measures what a pitcher's ERA would look like over some time, were that pitcher to experience league average results on balls in play and league average timing. It focuses solely on events that the pitcher can control: home runs, walks, hit by pitch, and strikeouts.
Why Use FIP?
- •Removes defense and luck from pitcher evaluation
- •More predictive of future performance than ERA
- •Identifies pitchers who may be over/underperforming
- •Provides a clearer picture of pitcher skill
FIP Formula Breakdown
FIP = ((13 * HR) + (3 * (BB + HBP)) - (2 * K)) / IP + constant
- 13 * HR: Home runs are heavily weighted (run value ~1.4)
- 3 * (BB + HBP): Free baserunners weighted by run value (~0.3)
- -2 * K: Strikeouts reduce FIP (run value ~-0.3)
- IP: Normalizes per inning pitched
- Constant: Scales FIP to ERA (typically ~3.2)
Note: The constant brings FIP onto the same scale as ERA for easy comparison.
Interpreting FIP vs ERA
| Scenario | Interpretation | Expectation |
|---|---|---|
| FIP < ERA | Pitcher is unlucky or has poor defense | ERA should improve |
| FIP ≈ ERA | Performance matches expectation | Continue current trend |
| FIP > ERA | Pitcher is lucky or has great defense | ERA should increase |