[TheWarmWind]

To answer the OP's actual question:

I've found that yes, the direction you aim does have an impact, both on the quality of contact (based on the balls location) and certain bonuses/negatives that will be added. I play with a unique slider set though so your experiences may differ.

I'll explain further. This is true of MOST, but not all hitters. A part of directional is learning the individual hitters strengths and weaknesses.

Pulling gives a slight bonus to power, while also changing the ideal locations for balls slightly inside. It also slightly opens of the timing window for a little earlier.

Pressing up also adds a slight bonus to power, but at the cost of vision (you will swing and miss more). It will also move your ideal location for a ball down, so high strikes will more often than not turn into ugly popouts.

Pushing gives a slight bonus to contact, while also moving ideal location slightly away. It also opens up the timing window for a little later.

Pressing down gives a bonus to vision, but at the cost of power. Power hitters don't do well with this, often just pounding the ball into the ground for an easy out, but it's also good for fouling things off, and is the ideal swing for some leadoff hitters.

You take these factors, the situation AND the hitter at the plate into consideration when picking a swing. I generally pick before the pitch and then wait on my pitch, letting it go if I don't get it. Hopefully this helps. Enjoy!

Edit: I should also add that some players get more of a bonus when picking their ideal swing type. For example an extreme pull hitter will get more of a bonus from pulling, and less from the other swings.