GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
Does WHIP include every way a batter can reach base?
No. WHIP is hits plus walks divided by innings pitched. It does not include hit-by-pitches, errors or fielder's choices, so its numerator is narrower than the total number of batters who may reach base.
For Bettors and cappers learning to read baseball records · Updated
WHIP counts hits and walks
MLB defines WHIP as the pitcher's walks plus hits divided by innings pitched. Hit-by-pitches, errors and fielder's choices do not count against WHIP.
A batter can therefore reach base without adding to either the hit or walk part of the WHIP numerator.
A related measure counts hit-by-pitches too
MLB's baserunners-per-nine-innings measure includes batters who reach by hit, walk or hit-by-pitch. It excludes errors and fielder's choices.
The measures answer different questions. WHIP should not be relabeled as every baserunner allowed.
Hypothetical one-inning ledger
Fictional inning: a pitcher records three outs while allowing one hit, one walk, one hit-by-pitch and one batter reaching on an error. Four batters reach base. WHIP counts two in its numerator, the hit and walk, so the one-inning WHIP is 2.00. MLB's baserunners-per-nine measure counts the hit, walk and hit-by-pitch, but not the error.
Related questions
Does a hit-by-pitch count in WHIP?
No. MLB's WHIP definition includes walks and hits, not hit-by-pitches.
Do errors count in WHIP?
No. MLB says errors and fielder's choices do not count against WHIP.