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"But assuming that a hitter is so strong that he gets extra-base hits up the middle, into the right-center gap, over the RF fence, the game is slower for him than for everybody else."
This is really a great way of putting. The key to pulling off an extreme up the middle or opposite field approach is "Strength".
I've always wondered why more power hitters don't stay back on the fastball. It is just a superior approach. It gives you extra time to recognize pitches and stay back on breaking balls.
Mauer is a perfect example of a guy who excels at this. Hes probably the most extreme opposite field hitter in the game today.