Excellent article by Sullivan calling out McCatty. I'll throw another wrinkle in to this. If the research about the "times through the order penalty" is right, then an additional problem with pitch to contact is that, even if it were more pitch efficient, by allowing more plate appearances (through more balls in play), you allow hitters to cycle through the order and get to the 3d trip through the order earlier in the game. Pitchers are significantly less effective after 2 times through the order. Getting there earlier in the game leads to rougher middle innings and more appearances by the worst pitchers in your bullpen.
Pitch to contact as a way to be efficient is kind of a euphemism. It's more avoid nibbling. Walks kill, not Ks.
