MLB's Five Most Plate-Disciplined Hitters

In baseball, the art of being able to recognize and take pitches out of the zone is key to success. Although hitting statistics like home runs and batting average are glorified, walks greatly contribute to wins. Here are the five most disciplined hitters, based on their O-Swing % (the amount of pitches out of the zone at which they swing). 

Here's the five least disciplined hitters...

Chone Figgins

2010 has undoubtedly been a disappointing season for Chone Figgins, who has batted a dismal .249. Despite his poor average, he has a respectable .340 OBP along with an 11.9% BB rate. This is largely due to the fact that he swings at just 19.0% of pitches out of the zone. 

Josh Willingham

Josh Willingham is a BB artist. Despite an ordinary average of .268, Willingham is fifth in the NL with a .389 on-base percentage. He swings at just 18.9% of pitches out of the zone.  

Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner's O-Swing is a mere 18.8%. Thanks to his discipline, he ranks in the Top 10 in the AL in BB rate (along with Mark Teixeira and Miguel Cabrera) at 12.6%.

Bobby Abreu

Bobby Abreu swings at only 17.3% of pitches out of the zone. He ranks 6th in the AL in BB because of his discipline. 

Daric Barton

Coming in at number 1 is Daric Barton, who leads the AL with 72 BB. This is largely due to his incredible O-Swing: he swings at just 15.8% of pitches out of the zone. His ability to get on bases has been a significant factor of the Athletics' offense.