Introducing PVIS: A New Way to Measure a Pitcher’s True Value

In modern baseball, pitchers are evaluated using dozens of advanced metrics. ERA tells us how many earned runs a pitcher allows, WHIP measures baserunners, and innings pitched reflects durability. While each statistic is useful individually, none of them fully captures a pitcher’s overall value to his team in one simple number.

That is where PVIS (Pitcher Value Impact Score) comes in.

PVIS is a new metric designed to combine the three most important elements of pitching value:

1. Availability (Innings Pitched)

2. Run Prevention (ERA)

3. Traffic Control (WHIP)

The goal is simple: reward pitchers who stay on the mound, limit runs, and minimize baserunners.

The PVIS Formula

The formula for PVIS is:

PVIS = IP × (League ERA ÷ Pitcher ERA) × (League WHIP ÷ Pitcher WHIP)

Using current MLB averages, the simplified version becomes:

PVIS = IP × (4.20 ÷ ERA) × (1.30 ÷ WHIP)

Why 4.20 and 1.30?

These numbers represent approximate modern MLB league averages over time.

• League ERA ≈ 4.20

• League WHIP ≈ 1.30

These baselines allow PVIS to evaluate pitchers relative to league-average performance. If a pitcher performs better than league average, their score increases. If they perform worse, their score decreases.

How PVIS Works

PVIS balances both quality and quantity.

A pitcher with:

• A low ERA

• A low WHIP

• High innings pitched

…will produce a very high PVIS.

Meanwhile, pitchers with great rate stats but limited innings will score lower because they provided less overall value over a season.

Example Calculation

Suppose a pitcher has:

• 195 innings pitched

• 3.09 ERA

• 1.049 WHIP

Using the formula:

PVIS = 195 × (4.20 ÷ 3.09) × (1.30 ÷ 1.049)

Result:PVIS ≈ 329

That score would indicate ace-level value. Example - Carlos Rodon (2025):

• IP = 195

• ERA = 3.09

• WHIP = 1.049

4.20 ÷ 3.09 ≈ 1.36

1.30 ÷ 1.049 ≈ 1.24

PVIS = 195 × 1.36 × 1.24

PVIS ≈ 195 × 1.686

PVIS ≈ 328.8

Final Answer

Carlos Rodón had a very good year with a 2025 PVIS of 329

Now... let's look at his career.... these numbers are more telling when it comes time to offer Rodon a contract. Reminder: Rodon signed a 6-year, $162 milloin dollar contract in 2023, and is due to make $27,833,333 in 2026.

Career Stats:

• IP = 144.2

• ERA = 4.00

• WHIP = 1.178

4.20 ÷ 4.00 = 1.05

1.30 ÷ 1.178 ≈ 1.10

PVIS = 144.2 × 1.05 × 1.10

PVIS ≈ 144.2 × 1.155

PVIS ≈ 166.6

Final Answer

Carlos Rodón's career PVIS ≈ 167. We can see that across his career, Rodon profiles as a backend starter that bleeds into a solid mid-rotation guy, who can have periods of elite capability. Is that worth $27 million a year?

Suggested PVIS Scale

PVIS Score	Pitcher Value
300+	Ace / Cy Young level
225–299	Strong No. 1 or No. 2 starter
175–224	Solid mid-rotation starter
100–174	Back-end starter / swingman
Under 100	Limited value

Why PVIS Is Beneficial

1. Combines Multiple Core Metrics

Instead of relying on ERA or WHIP alone, PVIS combines:

• Durability

• Effectiveness

• Efficiency

This creates a more complete evaluation.

2. Rewards Innings

Many advanced metrics ignore workload. PVIS values pitchers who consistently take the ball every fifth day and provide innings for their team. A pitcher throwing 200 quality innings is more valuable than one throwing 110 elite innings. This should be common sense. This does not mean that teams should not sign the "110" guy, but it has implications. It would allow teams to value the 110 elite innings appropriately if they build a rotation around that idea, which means they would need 7 starters -- not 5. The Los Angeles Dodgers have adopted this mindset. Teams that do not have the pocketbooks that the Dodgers have would need to value the "elite" inning differently than the "quality" inning from a dollar perspective, and work from there.

3. Easy to Understand

Unlike some advanced sabermetrics, PVIS is simple enough for:

• Fans

• Coaches

• Scouts

• Front offices

It uses familiar statistics while still providing deeper context.

4. Useful for Contracts and Awards

PVIS can help compare pitchers when evaluating:

• Free agent value

• Cy Young candidates

• Trade targets

• Rotation construction

For example, a pitcher with a high salary but low PVIS may be considered overvalued relative to production.

Final Thoughts

PVIS is designed to measure what matters most in pitching:

• Staying healthy

• Preventing runs

• Limiting baserunners

• Providing consistent value over time

No single statistic can fully evaluate pitchers, but PVIS offers a balanced, practical approach that combines traditional statistics with contextual analysis. In an era where baseball is increasingly driven by analytics, PVIS provides a simple but meaningful way to understand a pitcher’s true impact on his team.