GG MLB Power Rankings

Goal: MLB power rankings developed by websites like ESPN, CBS, and Fox tend to result in rankings by win-loss record with little variations. I wanted to develop a power ranking methodology that represents which teams are playing the best currently by incorporating statistics that measure past, present, and future performance.

Outcome: After working through multiple drafts, a power rankings methodology materialized that determines the teams a fan would want their team to play or not play in the near future.

Justification (formula file):
The GG MLB Power Rankings are calculated through the following seven factors:

Three Main Factors (20% x 3 = 60%):

• Overall: takes into account overall play for year through season win percentage.
  
• Future: uses the pythagorean theorem to give a prediction of the future through use of runs scored and runs against thus far.
• Recent: rewards 1% per win in the last 10 games to give credit for recent success.

Three Secondary Factors (13.3% x 3 = 40%):

• Fielding: gives half of a team's fielding percentage value
  
• Pitching: uses an adjusted ERA formula to give half the value for a team's low ERA
  
• Batting: breaks down a team's runs scored per game to a percentage of one and gives half the value
  

One Bonus Factor (+/- 10% Max):

• Current: gives a 1% increase for each straight win, or decrease by 1% for each straight loss, in a current steak.

Results

• Blue signifies a team that is not playing well.

• Green signifies a team that is playing at an average level.

• Red signifies a team that is playing very well.

How to Use the Results

Example:

Your Team:

Baltimore Orioles

Upcoming Opponent:

Boston Red Sox

Output from GG Value:

Baltimore Orioles = 67.3 (60-80 category)

Boston Red Sox = 77.4 (60-80 category)

Result: Equal

• Neither team has a decided advantage over the other currently
• Game or series could go either way
• Red Sox are playing slightly better by the #'s, but not at a level that is significantly better than the O's.

This is my first attempt at a power rankings formula, so please do not hesitate to use the comments section to voice concerns/flaws on my methodology.