First Base Receiving / Scoops

Definition

First base receiving reflects the defensive value a first baseman adds from his ability to catch throws, measured as Receiving Outs Above Average. Statcast's receiving stats include "Scoops" -- throws that bounce close to the first baseman and are successfully fielded -- as well as the various other types of throws that first basemen must handle.

Throws are classified into six categories, based on where they enter a first baseman's catch radius (only throws within an 8-foot perimeter of the first-base bag, and up to 10 feet above the ground, are included):

On Target Throws -- throws within a 5-foot radius of the first-base bag, and 1-7 feet high
Wide Throws -- throws that are more than 5 feet to either side of the bag
High Throws -- throws that are above 7 feet high
Low Throws -- throws that are less than 1 foot off the ground, excluding scoops/bounces
Scoops -- throws that bounce between 5-15 feet from first base
Bounces -- throws that bounce at least 15 feet away in front of the base

Every throw from second base, shortstop and third base is given an out probability based on inputs including the throw location (high/low, wide/on-target, bounce/in-air), the runner’s speed on the play, and his distance from first base at the point the first baseman catches the ball.

A first baseman’s Receiving OAA is measured from adding the positive value of all his opportunities successfully converted into outs, and subtracting the negative value of the throws he does not convert into outs. The resulting total is the first baseman’s outs saved from his receiving. compared to an average first baseman.

(See here for a more detailed explanation of how First Base Receiving OAA is calculated.)

For example: Over the five-year period from 2021-25, Matt Olson and Freddie Freeman led all Major League first basemen in Receiving OAA.

Olson’s receiving skill at first base was worth +28 Outs Above Average over that time, while Freeman’s was worth +23 Outs Above Average.

In addition to Receiving OAA, Statcast also tracks each first baseman’s total number of outs made for each throw location.

For example: Olson had the most “scoops” of any first baseman from 2021-25 (68), followed by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (63) and Pete Alonso (50).

Statcast’s first base receiving stats are available from 2021-present.