A New Way To Think About Ballpark Factors
Update: The “grades” were calculated in a less-accurate manner when this piece was first published (May 1).
In the tables that follow, you will find traditional ballpark factors for runs scored per game* (Runs), home runs per game (HR) and batting average on balls in play (BABIP) for all 30 major league parks, plus the 160 minor league parks from Triple-A down to the traveling Rookie leagues.**
Following the traditional park factors are park “grades” for runs, homers and BABIP on the 20-80 scouting scale. As an example, Denver’s Coors Field last year had a park factor of 130. This means that 30 percent more runs were scored in Rockies home games than in Rockies road games. Comparing that 130 park factor with the National League average (100) and dividing by the league’s standard deviation (12) yields a Z-score. That Z-score can then be mapped to the 20-80 scouting scale, where 50 is average, 60 is one standard deviation above-average, 40 is one standard deviation below-average, etc. I used five-point intervals for my scale.
In scouting parlance, any number ending in a “5” is a half-grade. Using this Z-score method, we can estimate how each park impacts players. Going back to the Rockies example, Coors Field significantly impacts players who suit up there because the park receives “grades” of 75 for runs scored, 60 for home runs and 70 for batting average on balls in play.
AMERICAN LEAGUE | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Baltimore | Orioles | 98 | 104 | 98 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Boston | Red Sox | 117 | 104 | 110 | 65 | 50 | 65 |
Chicago | White Sox | 96 | 114 | 98 | 45 | 60 | 45 |
Cleveland | Indians | 120 | 116 | 109 | 65 | 60 | 65 |
Detroit | Tigers | 104 | 116 | 97 | 55 | 60 | 45 |
Houston | Astros | 81 | 82 | 97 | 35 | 40 | 45 |
Kansas City | Royals | 112 | 75 | 106 | 60 | 35 | 60 |
Los Angeles | Angels | 91 | 106 | 94 | 45 | 55 | 40 |
Minnesota | Twins | 102 | 99 | 100 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
New York | Yankees | 104 | 138 | 96 | 55 | 70 | 45 |
Oakland | Athletics | 86 | 75 | 95 | 40 | 35 | 40 |
Seattle | Mariners | 94 | 116 | 96 | 45 | 60 | 40 |
Tampa Bay | Rays | 89 | 88 | 95 | 40 | 45 | 40 |
Texas | Rangers | 114 | 104 | 109 | 60 | 50 | 65 |
Toronto | Blue Jays | 114 | 100 | 107 | 60 | 50 | 60 |
Hitter’s Haven Cleveland | 65 runs • 60 home runs • 65 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Oakland | 40 runs • 35 home runs • 40 BABIP
NATIONAL LEAGUE | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Arizona | D-backs | 117 | 123 | 108 | 65 | 65 | 60 |
Atlanta* | Braves | 104 | 75 | 103 | 55 | 35 | 55 |
Chicago | Cubs | 89 | 83 | 97 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
Cincinnati | Reds | 99 | 118 | 96 | 50 | 60 | 45 |
Colorado | Rockies | 130 | 120 | 113 | 75 | 60 | 70 |
Los Angeles | Dodgers | 86 | 97 | 97 | 40 | 50 | 45 |
Miami | Marlins | 87 | 83 | 92 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
Milwaukee | Brewers | 98 | 113 | 97 | 50 | 55 | 45 |
New York | Mets | 99 | 109 | 91 | 50 | 55 | 35 |
Philadelphia | Phillies | 84 | 115 | 93 | 35 | 60 | 40 |
Pittsburgh | Pirates | 103 | 82 | 104 | 50 | 40 | 55 |
San Diego | Padres | 98 | 93 | 100 | 50 | 45 | 50 |
San Francisco | Giants | 101 | 70 | 111 | 50 | 35 | 65 |
St. Louis | Cardinals | 94 | 91 | 97 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
Washington | Nationals | 95 | 102 | 96 | 45 | 50 | 45 |
* The Braves moved into SunTrust Park in 2017 |
Hitter’s Haven Colorado | 75 runs • 60 home runs • 70 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Miami | 40 runs • 40 home runs • 40 BABIP
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE (TRIPLE-A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Buffalo | Blue Jays | 103 | 95 | 97 | 55 | 50 | 45 |
Charlotte | White Sox | 108 | 135 | 104 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
Columbus | Indians | 120 | 164 | 103 | 70 | 75 | 60 |
Durham | Rays | 106 | 124 | 102 | 55 | 60 | 55 |
Gwinnett | Braves | 100 | 104 | 101 | 50 | 50 | 55 |
Indianapolis | Pirates | 78 | 65 | 101 | 30 | 40 | 55 |
Lehigh Valley | Phillies | 107 | 97 | 103 | 55 | 50 | 60 |
Louisville | Reds | 98 | 110 | 96 | 50 | 55 | 40 |
Norfolk | Orioles | 95 | 68 | 97 | 45 | 40 | 45 |
Pawtucket | Red Sox | 97 | 127 | 90 | 45 | 60 | 25 |
Rochester | Twins | 103 | 78 | 100 | 55 | 40 | 50 |
Scranton/W-B | Yankees | 92 | 94 | 100 | 40 | 50 | 50 |
Syracuse | Nationals | 105 | 81 | 106 | 55 | 45 | 65 |
Toledo | Tigers | 92 | 83 | 100 | 40 | 45 | 50 |
Hitter’s Haven Columbus | 70 runs • 75 home runs • 60 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Norfolk | 45 runs • 40 home runs • 45 BABIP
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE (TRIPLE-A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Albuquerque | Rockies | 132 | 134 | 110 | 65 | 65 | 60 |
Colorado Springs | Brewers | 147 | 89 | 125 | 70 | 45 | 75 |
El Paso | Padres | 111 | 125 | 104 | 55 | 60 | 55 |
Fresno | Astros | 101 | 102 | 96 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Iowa | Cubs | 94 | 85 | 97 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
Las Vegas | Mets | 120 | 121 | 108 | 60 | 60 | 55 |
Memphis | Cardinals | 81 | 89 | 90 | 40 | 45 | 40 |
Nashville | Athletics | 79 | 64 | 93 | 40 | 35 | 45 |
New Orleans | Marlins | 78 | 96 | 89 | 40 | 50 | 40 |
Oklahoma City | Dodgers | 105 | 93 | 103 | 50 | 45 | 55 |
Omaha | Royals | 107 | 146 | 100 | 55 | 70 | 50 |
Reno | D-backs | 123 | 100 | 109 | 60 | 50 | 60 |
Round Rock | Rangers | 76 | 79 | 88 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
Sacramento | Giants | 77 | 95 | 90 | 40 | 50 | 40 |
Salt Lake | Angels | 107 | 112 | 110 | 55 | 55 | 60 |
Tacoma | Mariners | 78 | 89 | 89 | 40 | 45 | 40 |
Hitter’s Haven Albuquerque | 65 runs • 65 home runs • 60 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Nashville | 40 runs • 35 home runs • 45 BABIP
EASTERN LEAGUE (DOUBLE-A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Akron | Indians | 98 | 93 | 100 | 50 | 45 | 50 |
Altoona | Pirates | 109 | 79 | 107 | 60 | 40 | 65 |
Binghamton | Mets | 94 | 94 | 100 | 45 | 45 | 50 |
Bowie | Orioles | 107 | 126 | 100 | 55 | 60 | 50 |
Erie | Tigers | 93 | 88 | 103 | 40 | 45 | 55 |
Harrisburg | Nationals | 105 | 130 | 98 | 55 | 60 | 45 |
Hartford* | Rockies | 87 | 84 | 95 | 35 | 45 | 40 |
New Hampshire | Blue Jays | 110 | 104 | 107 | 60 | 50 | 65 |
Portland | Red Sox | 113 | 85 | 107 | 65 | 45 | 65 |
Reading | Phillies | 108 | 153 | 96 | 60 | 70 | 40 |
Richmond | Giants | 88 | 65 | 92 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
Trenton | Yankees | 89 | 96 | 97 | 40 | 50 | 45 |
* Hartford moved into Dunkin’ Donuts Park in 2017 |
Hitter’s Haven New Hampshire | 60 runs • 50 home runs • 65 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Richmond | 35 runs • 35 home runs • 35 BABIP
SOUTHERN LEAGUE (DOUBLE-A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Biloxi | Brewers | 96 | 119 | 96 | 45 | 60 | 40 |
Birmingham | White Sox | 94 | 88 | 96 | 45 | 45 | 40 |
Chattanooga | Twins | 119 | 137 | 104 | 70 | 65 | 55 |
Jackson | D-backs | 98 | 83 | 99 | 50 | 45 | 45 |
Jacksonville | Marlins | 99 | 120 | 97 | 50 | 60 | 45 |
Mississippi | Braves | 90 | 67 | 104 | 40 | 35 | 60 |
Mobile | Angels | 106 | 90 | 111 | 55 | 45 | 70 |
Montgomery | Rays | 108 | 100 | 103 | 60 | 50 | 55 |
Pensacola | Reds | 94 | 82 | 97 | 45 | 40 | 45 |
Tennessee | Cubs | 97 | 123 | 96 | 45 | 60 | 40 |
Hitter’s Haven Chattanooga | 70 runs • 65 home runs • 55 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Pensacola | 45 runs • 40 home runs • 45 BABIP
TEXAS LEAGUE (DOUBLE-A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Arkansas | Mariners | 82 | 56 | 102 | 40 | 40 | 50 |
Corpus Christi | Astros | 102 | 145 | 94 | 50 | 60 | 45 |
Frisco | Rangers | 121 | 116 | 112 | 65 | 55 | 65 |
Midland | Athletics | 115 | 78 | 106 | 60 | 45 | 60 |
NW Arkansas | Royals | 103 | 86 | 107 | 50 | 45 | 60 |
San Antonio | Padres | 77 | 64 | 92 | 35 | 40 | 40 |
Springfield | Cardinals | 106 | 168 | 92 | 55 | 65 | 40 |
Tulsa | Dodgers | 99 | 113 | 97 | 50 | 55 | 45 |
Hitter’s Haven Frisco | 65 runs • 55 home runs • 65 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise San Antonio | 35 runs • 40 home runs • 40 BABIP
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (HIGH CLASS A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Bakersfield* | — | 106 | 141 | 107 | 55 | 60 | 65 |
High Desert* | — | 131 | 152 | 102 | 65 | 60 | 55 |
Inland Empire | Angels | 84 | 64 | 96 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
Lake Elsinore | Padres | 88 | 67 | 99 | 45 | 40 | 45 |
Lancaster | Rockies | 134 | 171 | 109 | 70 | 65 | 70 |
Modesto | Mariners | 82 | 47 | 98 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
R. Cucamonga | Dodgers | 103 | 88 | 100 | 50 | 45 | 50 |
San Jose | Giants | 84 | 70 | 95 | 40 | 45 | 40 |
Stockton | Athletics | 89 | 108 | 96 | 45 | 50 | 40 |
Visalia | D-backs | 103 | 121 | 100 | 50 | 55 | 50 |
* Franchise realigned with Carolina League in 2017 |
Hitter’s Haven Lancaster | 70 runs • 65 home runs • 70 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Inland Empire | 40 runs • 40 home runs • 40 BABIP
CAROLINA LEAGUE (HIGH CLASS A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Carolina | Brewers | 79 | 93 | 96 | 35 | 50 | 45 |
Frederick | Orioles | 124 | 196 | 107 | 70 | 75 | 60 |
Lynchburg | Indians | 105 | 82 | 104 | 55 | 45 | 55 |
Myrtle Beach | Cubs | 96 | 109 | 94 | 45 | 50 | 40 |
Potomac | Nationals | 89 | 92 | 91 | 40 | 50 | 35 |
Salem | Red Sox | 106 | 53 | 108 | 55 | 40 | 65 |
Wilmington | Royals | 103 | 97 | 104 | 55 | 50 | 55 |
Winston-Salem | White Sox | 101 | 94 | 98 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
League added North Carolina franchises in Buies Creek (Astros) and Kinston (Rangers) in 2017 |
Hitter’s Haven Frederick | 70 runs • 75 home runs • 60 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Potomac | 40 runs • 50 home runs • 35 BABIP
FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE (HIGH CLASS A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Bradenton | Pirates | 100 | 98 | 101 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Brevard County* | Braves | 94 | 88 | 103 | 40 | 45 | 60 |
Charlotte | Rays | 106 | 107 | 103 | 55 | 50 | 60 |
Clearwater | Phillies | 91 | 102 | 93 | 40 | 50 | 30 |
Daytona | Reds | 118 | 123 | 105 | 70 | 55 | 65 |
Dunedin | Blue Jays | 108 | 99 | 104 | 60 | 50 | 60 |
Fort Myers | Twins | 97 | 100 | 98 | 45 | 50 | 45 |
Jupiter | Marlins | 89 | 58 | 99 | 35 | 35 | 45 |
Lakeland | Tigers | 99 | 174 | 95 | 50 | 75 | 35 |
Palm Beach | Cardinals | 94 | 47 | 100 | 40 | 35 | 50 |
St. Lucie | Mets | 103 | 105 | 100 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
Tampa | Yankees | 100 | 80 | 100 | 50 | 45 | 50 |
* Franchise relocated to Kissimmee, Fla., to become Florida Fire Frogs in 2017 |
Hitter’s Haven Daytona | 70 runs • 55 home runs • 65 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Jupiter/Palm Beach | 40 runs • 35 home runs • 50 BABIP
MIDWEST LEAGUE (LOW CLASS A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Beloit | Athletics | 103 | 89 | 101 | 55 | 45 | 55 |
Bowling Green | Rays | 91 | 143 | 94 | 40 | 65 | 35 |
Burlington | Angels | 113 | 145 | 96 | 65 | 65 | 40 |
Cedar Rapids | Twins | 107 | 119 | 99 | 60 | 55 | 50 |
Clinton | Mariners | 90 | 87 | 96 | 40 | 45 | 40 |
Dayton | Reds | 108 | 120 | 106 | 60 | 60 | 65 |
Fort Wayne | Padres | 108 | 59 | 107 | 60 | 35 | 65 |
Great Lakes | Dodgers | 86 | 85 | 96 | 35 | 45 | 40 |
Kane County | D-backs | 94 | 72 | 100 | 45 | 40 | 50 |
Lake County | Indians | 103 | 127 | 101 | 55 | 60 | 50 |
Lansing | Blue Jays | 110 | 96 | 104 | 60 | 50 | 60 |
Peoria | Cardinals | 84 | 87 | 95 | 30 | 45 | 35 |
Quad Cities | Astros | 105 | 92 | 101 | 55 | 45 | 55 |
South Bend | Cubs | 97 | 112 | 99 | 45 | 55 | 45 |
West Michigan | Tigers | 98 | 62 | 103 | 50 | 35 | 60 |
Wisconsin | Brewers | 109 | 131 | 103 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
Hitter’s Haven Dayton | 60 runs • 60 home runs • 65 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Peoria | 30 runs • 45 home runs • 35 BABIP
SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE (LOW CLASS A) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Asheville | Rockies | 141 | 161 | 116 | 75 | 65 | 75 |
Augusta | Giants | 88 | 55 | 103 | 40 | 40 | 55 |
Charleston | Yankees | 84 | 52 | 99 | 40 | 40 | 50 |
Columbia | Mets | 89 | 90 | 93 | 45 | 50 | 40 |
Delmarva | Orioles | 99 | 70 | 100 | 50 | 45 | 50 |
Greensboro | Marlins | 104 | 206 | 97 | 55 | 75 | 45 |
Greenville | Red Sox | 100 | 106 | 101 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Hagerstown | Nationals | 95 | 126 | 92 | 45 | 55 | 35 |
Hickory | Rangers | 94 | 116 | 98 | 45 | 55 | 45 |
Kannapolis | White Sox | 98 | 75 | 104 | 50 | 45 | 55 |
Lakewood | Phillies | 87 | 61 | 93 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
Lexington | Royals | 104 | 153 | 96 | 55 | 60 | 45 |
Rome | Braves | 120 | 71 | 105 | 65 | 45 | 60 |
West Virginia | Pirates | 102 | 116 | 102 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Hitter’s Haven Asheville | 75 runs • 65 home runs • 75 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Lakewood | 40 runs • 40 home runs • 40 BABIP
NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (SHORT-SEASON) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Aberdeen | Orioles | 103 | 99 | 101 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Auburn | Nationals | 84 | 92 | 89 | 40 | 45 | 35 |
Batavia | Marlins | 89 | 69 | 98 | 45 | 35 | 45 |
Brooklyn | Mets | 80 | 66 | 101 | 35 | 35 | 50 |
Connecticut | Tigers | 82 | 56 | 93 | 40 | 30 | 40 |
Hudson Valley | Rays | 96 | 74 | 88 | 45 | 40 | 35 |
Lowell | Red Sox | 128 | 133 | 110 | 70 | 65 | 65 |
Mahoning Valley | Indians | 114 | 99 | 106 | 60 | 50 | 60 |
State College | Cardinals | 118 | 107 | 111 | 60 | 55 | 65 |
Staten Island | Yankees | 106 | 106 | 106 | 55 | 50 | 60 |
Tri-City | Astros | 115 | 128 | 108 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
Vermont | Athletics | 92 | 123 | 90 | 45 | 60 | 40 |
West Virginia | Pirates | 100 | 108 | 105 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Williamsport | Phillies | 97 | 121 | 95 | 50 | 60 | 45 |
Hitter’s Haven Lowell | 70 runs • 65 home runs • 65 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Connecticut | 40 runs • 30 home runs • 40 BABIP
NORTHWEST LEAGUE (SHORT-SEASON) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Boise | Rockies | 116 | 90 | 111 | 60 | 50 | 65 |
Eugene | Cubs | 71 | 59 | 90 | 35 | 40 | 40 |
Everett | Mariners | 120 | 182 | 106 | 60 | 65 | 60 |
Hillsboro | D-backs | 84 | 64 | 93 | 40 | 45 | 40 |
Salem-Keizer | Giants | 129 | 162 | 110 | 65 | 60 | 60 |
Spokane | Rangers | 102 | 134 | 98 | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Tri-City | Padres | 83 | 27 | 96 | 40 | 35 | 45 |
Vancouver | Blue Jays | 96 | 77 | 93 | 50 | 45 | 40 |
Hitter’s Haven Everett | 60 runs • 65 home runs • 60 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Eugene | 35 runs • 40 home runs • 40 BABIP
APPALACHIAN LEAGUE (ROOKIE) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Bluefield | Blue Jays | 111 | 127 | 101 | 60 | 60 | 50 |
Bristol | Pirates | 92 | 109 | 91 | 45 | 55 | 35 |
Burlington | Royals | 94 | 124 | 94 | 45 | 60 | 40 |
Danville | Braves | 91 | 62 | 99 | 45 | 35 | 50 |
Elizabethton | Twins | 114 | 119 | 109 | 60 | 55 | 65 |
Greeneville | Astros | 99 | 94 | 95 | 50 | 50 | 40 |
Johnson City | Cardinals | 97 | 69 | 101 | 45 | 40 | 50 |
Kingsport | Mets | 88 | 97 | 99 | 40 | 50 | 50 |
Princeton | Rays | 126 | 144 | 106 | 70 | 65 | 60 |
Pulaski | Yankees | 94 | 62 | 108 | 45 | 35 | 65 |
Hitter’s Haven Princeton | 70 runs • 65 home runs • 60 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Danville | 45 runs • 35 home runs • 50 BABIP
PIONEER LEAGUE (ROOKIE) | |||||||
Team | Affiliation | Runs | HR | BABIP | R Grade | HR Grade | BIP Grade |
Billings | Reds | 104 | 105 | 98 | 55 | 55 | 45 |
Grand Junction | Rockies | 98 | 107 | 102 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Great Falls | White Sox | 90 | 86 | 98 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
Helena | Brewers | 95 | 130 | 96 | 45 | 65 | 40 |
Idaho Falls | Royals | 121 | 82 | 110 | 70 | 40 | 70 |
Missoula | D-backs | 106 | 92 | 102 | 55 | 45 | 55 |
Ogden | Dodgers | 83 | 86 | 93 | 35 | 40 | 35 |
Orem | Angels | 104 | 124 | 101 | 55 | 65 | 50 |
Hitter’s Haven Orem | 55 runs • 65 home runs • 50 BABIP
Pitcher’s Paradise Ogden | 35 runs • 40 home runs • 35 BABIP
* In this case, the phrase “per game” actually refers to the rate per 76 plate appearances, which is the number of batters who come to the plate in a typical nine-inning game. Measuring park effects per PA (rather than per game) is more accurate because of seven-inning doubleheaders in the minors, extra-inning games and also games that don’t require a bottom of the ninth inning.
** To convert park factors to park multipliers that can be applied to individual players, use the following formula: (Park factor + 100) / 2 / 100. This halves the impact of each player’s home park to reflect the fact that he plays only half his games there.
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