What is RC+? Definition, Formula, and Example
RC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) is a park-adjusted metric that measures a hitter's total offensive production by runs created, scaled to 100.
What is RC+?
RC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) is an advanced baseball statistic that quantifies a hitter's total offensive value by estimating the number of runs they create, then adjusts that figure for the hitter's home park and the league scoring environment, scaling the result to 100. Developed as an evolution of Bill James’ original Runs Created (RC) metric, RC+ operates on the same baseline as wRC+: a score of 100 represents a league-average hitter, 110 is 10% above average, and 50 is 50% below average. RC+ incorporates stolen bases, caught stealing, and double plays into its math, making it a slightly more comprehensive reflection of total offensive baserunning value than standard wRC+.
How RC+ is Calculated
Calculating RC+ requires two main phases. First, you calculate the raw Weighted Runs Created (wRC) using a linear weights formula. The formula is:
wRC = (((wBB * uBB) + (wHBP * HBP) + (w1B * 1B) + (w2B * 2B) + (w3B * 3B) + (wHR * HR) + (wSB * SB) - (wCS * CS)) + (wRBI * RBI) - (wGDP * GDP)) / PA.
The weights (w) for each event (walks, singles, home runs, etc.) are derived annually from league run environment data.
Once the raw wRC is established, it is converted to RC+ using the formula:
RC+ = 100 * (((wRC / PA) + (League wRC / League PA)) / (League wRC / League PA)) * Park Factor.
The result is a clean, park-adjusted rate stat where 100 is league average and every point above or below 100 represents exactly one percent above or below average.
Worked Example
During the 2023 season, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. posted a historic 40-home run, 70-stolen base campaign. Because he excelled in both power and baserunning, his RC+ was astronomical. His raw wRC was calculated at 135.5, driven heavily by his 70 stolen bases (which add run value) and zero double plays (which subtract run value). Adjusted for the slight hitter-friendly nature of Truist Park and the elevated league scoring environment, Acuña finished the season with a 168 RC+. This means he created runs 68% better than a league-average hitter. For comparison, Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers finished with a 164 RC+, with Acuña's edge largely provided by his baserunning value.
Why It Matters
RC+ is a vital tool for front offices because it captures offensive production and positive baserunning in a single, park-neutral number. It allows executives to compare a power-hitting first baseman in a pitcher's park directly against a speed-heavy outfielder in a hitter's park. For fantasy baseball players, RC+ is a reliable indicator of a player's underlying offensive contribution, stripping away the noise of RBI and Runs scored, which are highly dependent on team context. A player with a 120 RC+ is a highly valuable fantasy asset, even if their traditional counting stats are suppressed by a poor surrounding lineup.
Limitations and Common Misconceptions
RC+ is frequently confused with wRC+, and the two are nearly identical. The primary difference is that RC+ incorporates stolen bases, caught stealing, and grounded-into-double-plays into its run calculation, whereas wRC+ strictly measures offensive linear weights without those baserunning events. RC+ is also not a predictive stat; it describes what happened, not what will happen. Additionally, linear weights change slightly year to year based on the run environment, so a 120 RC+ in 2023 is not perfectly identical to a 120 RC+ in 2010, though the park and league adjustments keep the 100 baseline consistent.
Related Terms
In Legends Deck
In Legends Deck, RC+ serves as a foundational metric for scaling a card's overall offensive rating. Because our simulation engine adjusts for historical park factors and league environments, a card featuring a 160 RC+ will generate proportionally more total bases and runs than a 110 RC+ card, regardless of the era they played in. RC+ also feeds into the speed and baserunning algorithms, giving elite stolen base threats an accurate on-base advancement boost.