A New Way To Think About Ballpark Factors — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

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.