What is a putout?

A putout is a baseball statistic that registers the number of times a defensive player has recorded an out by tagging a runner with the ball, catching a batted ball before it touches the ground, or by assisting in a force-out or fly-out. The fielding team is awarded one putout for each out recorded in the game. The putout statistic is used in evaluating the defensive abilities of a player, particularly those playing in the outfield or infield positions. A player with a high number of putouts is generally considered a strong defender, capable of making consistent plays and preventing runs from scoring. The most putouts in a single season by an outfielder is 621, while the most putouts in a single season by an infielder is 776.