Baseball Reference Glossary

Putout

What is a Putout?

A putout (PO) is credited to a defensive player who physically records an out. This can happen in a number of ways: catching a fly ball, tagging a runner, stepping on a base for a force out, or being the receiver on a strikeout. While it’s a simple stat, it’s an essential part of how outs are tracked in the game.

Putouts are recorded on nearly every out in baseball and are used to credit the defensive player directly involved in finishing the play.

How is a putout used?

Putouts help track a fielder’s involvement in defensive plays. While they don’t tell the full story of a player’s range or defensive skill, they do show how often a player is on the receiving end of an out.

For example, first basemen tend to lead the league in putouts because they complete a large number of force plays at first. Catchers also rack up putouts on strikeouts. Meanwhile, outfielders record putouts primarily by catching fly balls.

How to record a putout?

A fielder is awarded a putout in the following situations:

  • Catching a fly ball
  • Tagging a runner for an out
  • Fielding a ground ball and stepping on a base for a force out
  • Catching the third strike on a strikeout
  • Being closest to a runner called out for interference

Only one player is credited with the putout per out, even if multiple players are involved in the play.

Putout Examples

Milwaukee Brewers vs Miami Marlins – July 4, 2025:

Milwaukee Brewers C William Contreras: 9 Putouts

Miami Marlins C Nick Fortes: 10 Putouts

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIA/MIA202507040.shtml

New York Mets vs Arizona Diamondbacks – May 17, 2017:

Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt: 15 Putouts

New York Mets 1B T.J. Rivera: 8 Putouts

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI201705170.shtml

Filed under Statistics