xFIP stands for "Expected Fielding Independent Pitching." It is a statistic used in baseball to evaluate a pitcher's performance by focusing on outcomes that are primarily under their control, such as strikeouts, walks, and home runs allowed. Unlike traditional metrics, xFIP adjusts for factors like ballpark effects and the quality of the defense behind the pitcher. xFIP is calculated by taking a pitcher's strikeout rate, walk rate, and home run rate, then normalizing these figures to a league-average home run rate. This provides a more accurate reflection of a pitcher's effectiveness, helping teams and analysts assess talent and predict future performance.