Singles Versus Power

Atlanta's Brian McCann shows different hot zones for getting hits as opposed to hitting for power.  His hot spots, as represented by his in-play batting average looks like this:

Brian McCann, in play batting average, 2008-2010.Note how many of his hits are concentrated in the lower, outside half of the plate.  Now compare that to his slugging percentage:

Brian McCann, in play slugging percentage, 2008-2010.Brian is hotter higher on the outside part of the plate and in the middle.  It turns out over the seasons pitcher worked Brian more and more down and away.  McCann is very good at turning those pitches into line drives.

Brian McCann line drives, 2008-2010.Line drives are an excellent way to produce hits.  Since 2008, McCann hits .773 on line drives (including the post season), but only 48 of his 187 hits have gone for extra bases, nearly all of them doubles.  Pitchers have adjusted to the spot where McCann still hurts them, but with the least amount of damage.