Chone Figgins has been great catch for Angels

Chone Figgins led off the first inning of a recent game against the Chicago White Sox with a wicked liner to first baseman Paul Konerko for an out.

Earlier in his career, maybe even earlier this season, Figgins would have tinkered with his swing in his next at-bat or two, thinking he had to do something different to get a hit, but that thought never crossed his mind that day.

The Angels third baseman kept the same approach and singled twice in his next three at-bats, another example of the maturity and consistency that has helped the 31-year-old become one of baseball’s best leadoff hitters.

“To hit line drives and not get results stinks more than anything,” Figgins said. “You’d rather break a bat and squirt one over the pitcher’s head and get an infield hit than line out, because regardless of what anyone says, statistics count, and getting on base is what counts for your team.

“A lot of times, when balls aren’t falling in, most of us change our approach, even though we’re hitting line drives. It’s hard to fight that urge.”

Figgins has developed an almost Zen-like approach to hitting, one that keeps him calm whether his average is soaring or dropping, whether his line drives are hitting gaps or gloves.

When he’s hot, Figgins has a simple explanation: “Holes, man,” he’ll say. “Finding holes.” When he’s not? He’ll usually blame it on his line drives and hard ground balls getting caught.

So, when Figgins went two for 23 in six games May 8-14 and his average fell to .244, he did not panic.

The switch-hitter remained patient -- only 18% of his swings this season have been at pitches out of the strike zone and he has seen 4.13 pitches per plate appearance, 13th highest in the American League, and has improved that average in each of the last three years.

He took what pitchers gave him by turning on balls on the inner half of the plate and hitting balls on the outer half the other way. He concentrated on hitting line drives and hard ground balls and utilizing his speed.

The result? Figgins went 26 for 66 (.394) with 11 runs over his next 16 games, raising his average to .296 before tonight’s game against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

He also has a .378 on-base percentage with 26 walks and only 29 strikeouts in 189 at-bats, and has stolen 20 bases in 23 attempts.

Figgins doesn’t hit for the power typically associated with a corner infielder, making him something of a target for critics who believe the Angels should play Brandon Wood at third base and move the versatile Figgins to second base or the outfield.

But no matter where Figgins has been stationed defensively, he has been a vital part of the offense.

“He brings a unique package of run production,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Though power is not part of it, he brings a lot of things that are critical to our offense -- working counts, getting on base, scoring runs, setting the tone as a leadoff hitter.

“It’s not fair to look at one position, third base, and say, ‘Hey, he has no power.’ What if Figgy played center field and Torii Hunter played third? You’d say we have power at the corner infield and a center fielder with great range. So, what’s the difference?”

Figgins was a utility player from 2003 to 2006, starting at six positions most seasons. But when injuries derailed the career of power-hitting third base prospect Dallas McPherson, Figgins settled in at third, a position he had rarely played, in 2007.

Though he’s a longshot for a Gold Glove -- Oakland’s Eric Chavez owned the award from 2001 to 2006, Seattle’s Adrian Beltre won it in 2007 and 2008, and Toronto’s Scott Rolen won seven Gold Gloves in the National League -- Figgins has improved so much at third that he should at least be mentioned as a candidate.

Figgins has excellent range, a strong arm and the ability to throw on the run. He’s also making spectacular plays, such as the backhand, diving stop of Casey Blake’s shot with two on in the fourth inning of a 3-1 win over the Dodgers on May 22.

“He was basically thrown over there because McPherson got hurt, and he learned on the fly,” Scioscia said. “He’s really become an asset on defense.”

Figgins has become so comfortable defensively that he’s finally beginning to think of himself as a third baseman, though he must remain flexible -- he has started three games at second base this season.

“If I can win a Gold Glove, then I would really feel like a third baseman,” Figgins said. “That’s tough with Beltre and Rolen. Once they get that tag on them, it’s hard not to give it to them. But I’d like to sneak in there. That would be my greatest accomplishment, to win a Gold Glove.”

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com