Figuring Figgins

Chone Figgins saw a huge falloff in his averages in 2010.  For his career through 2009, Chone showed himself to be a much better hitter against right-handed pitchers than lefties, with a BA 36 points higher and a slugging percentage 53 points higher.  In 2010, those number reversed, as he fit fine against lefties but posted a .247/.329/.288 slash line against righties.

There doesn't seem to be a good reason for the falloff, as Figgins was hitting poorly on pitches in the middle of the strike zone.  In 2008 and 2009 combined, you can see where Figgins was hot against righties:

Chone Figgins versus right-handed pitchers, 2008-2009.Note that he does well on pitches down and in and up and away, but hits very well on pitches in the middle.  That middle went cold in 2010.

Chone Figgins versus right-handed pitchers, 2010.If the pitch wasn't on the inside edge of the plate in the strike zone, Chone didn't do much with it.  It's not clear why this happened.  As in the previous two seasons, RHP worked Chone away and a bit up.  So his hottest zone in 2010 landed where pitchers throw him the least number of pitches.  They also threw mostly fastballs to him.

Figgins went through two upheavals in 2010, changing teams and moving positions.  It could just be that the combination caused his concentration to be off.  He hit lefties fine, so I suspect Chone will bounce back in 2011.