Personally I think it would be a lot easier to get a hitter to hit the ball the other way than to bunt. Bunting, especially with a slugger who likely hasn't practiced.....ever, is so unnatural to your regular hitting approach. Standing at a completely different angle, opening yourself up and a 100% different motion . If you think hitting a major league slider was hard, now imagine trying to bunt it. Slapping or check swinging would in theory be a lot more natural and would generally cut down on the pop ups to the catcher and pitcher.