Baseball is a game governed not only by strategy and skill but also by a sea of statistics. From batting averages to earned run averages, every aspect of the game is quantified, analyzed, and dissected to an extraordinary level. Key in this analytical ecosystem is the concept of “Outs Above Average” or OAA – an advanced, range-based metric introduced by Major League Baseball (MLB) to assess the defensive abilities of its players. This piece walks you through the meaning of OAA, its intricacies, calculation, evolution, and importance for baseball enthusiasts and analysts alike.