What Does CP Mean in Baseball?

CP is an abbreviation for catcher. It is also the position number for a catcher in baseball.

Introduction

The term “CP” in baseball can refer to a few different things. Most often, it is used as shorthand for “closer,” a relief pitcher who comes into the game in the late innings with the goal of preserving a lead. “CP” can also refer to “control pitchers,” a type of pitcher who doesn’t rack up many strikeouts but doesn’t walk many batters either. Finally, “CP” is also an abbreviation for the stat “cumulative pitching record,” which tracks a pitcher’s wins, losses, and saves over the course of their career.

What is CP?

In baseball, the term “CP” is short for “closer.” A closer is a relief pitcher who is typically used in the ninth inning of a game to protect a lead. A team’s best reliever is usually assigned to the closer role.

CP in baseball statistics

CP stands for “control points.” It’s a baseball metric that was created by Bill James and is used to evaluate pitchers. The idea behind CP is to measure how well a pitcher controls the game, specifically how often they prevent runs from scoring.

To calculate CP, you need to know two things: the average number of runs scored in an inning (R/IP) and the average number of innings pitched per game (IP/G). The formula is:

CP = R/IP * IP/G

For example, let’s say the average number of runs scored in an inning is 0.50 and the average number of innings pitched per game is 5.00. A pitcher with a CP of 2.50 would be preventing one run every other inning, on average. In this case, that pitcher would have a good control over the game.

CP can be applied to any baseball statistics that can be divided into two groups: those that happen while the pitcher is on the mound (such as walks and strikeouts) and those that happen when they are not (such as home runs allowed).

CP in baseball scouting

In baseball scouting, CP is an abbreviation for control pitcher. A control pitcher is a type of pitcher who relies on pitching accuracy and movement rather than velocity to get batters out.

A control pitcher typically throws a lot of strikes, doesn’t walk many batters, and works quickly. Control pitchers usually don’t have the same kind of stuff as power pitchers (pitchers who rely on velocity), but they make up for it by being able to locate their pitches well and getting ahead in the count.

Control pitchers are often very successful at the Major League level, as they don’t need to rely on blowing hitters away with pure velocity. Some of the most successful control pitchers in baseball history include Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Pedro Martinez.

Conclusion

In baseball, the term CP is short for catcher’s pop-up. It is used to describe a play in which the catcher catches a pop fly ball that is hit by the batter.