<p>Brian McCann wasn't the most-publicized member of the Atlanta Braves' 2005 rookie class. For that matter, he ranked behind roommate Jeff Francoeur as the most-hyped rookie in his own home.</p><p>No matter. In 2006, McCann is emerging as a sophomore surprise who thus far rates second to none among the team's second-year players _ or the National League's leading hitters.</p><p>Francoeur, the 2005 Sports Illustrated cover subject and 2006 member of the United States' World Baseball Classic team, hit two homers Thursday as the Braves completed a four-game sweep of Florida. But thus far Francoeur has been overshadowed by McCann, who has surpassed expectations by leading the National League in hitting.</p><p>Thanks to some tips from his father, McCann is hitting .353 as the Braves prepared to open a three-game series at Arizona late Friday night.</p><p>McCann was hitting only .244 through the first two weeks of the season when he asked his father, Howie McCann, for help on his swing.</p><p>"I learned a long time ago if you wait for the kids to come to you they're more receptive to what you've got to say," said the elder McCann.</p><p>Baseball is a way of life for the McCann family.</p><p>Howie McCann is a former Marshall baseball coach and University of Georgia assistant coach who runs a baseball academy near Atlanta.</p><p>Brian's older brother, Brad, is a third baseman at Class A Jupiter (Fla.) who was the Florida Marlins' organizational player of the year in 2005.</p><p>Brian had studied tape but found no flaw in his swing.</p><p>Howie McCann said he never offers unsolicited advice to his son, but he was ready when asked to help.</p><p>"He knows my swing better than anybody and he knows some things I wasn't doing right," Brian said. "I wasn't getting in a hitter's position when the pitch was coming. I was going straight toward the pitcher when the ball was released instead of going back (to a set stance).</p><p>"I talked to him for about an hour and ever since then I've been able to see the ball longer and better."</p><p>Brian, 22, closed April on a 9-for-20 streak and his average has continued to climb with his .412 average in May.</p><p>"It's the best I've felt since I've been in pro ball," he said.</p><p>The strong hitting is a bonus for the catcher who last year first won compliments for his skills behind the plate.</p><p>"I love watching him receive," said Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi, a former catcher. "I think he's a very good receiver.</p><p>"The hardest thing as a catcher is to every day go out and work on your defense because you're tired. But you've got to do it. If he continues to do that, he's going to be a special player."</p><p>McCann began earning playing time last season as the designated catcher for John Smoltz. McCann's role quickly expanded as Johnny Estrada struggled to fully recover from a home-plate collision in June. McCann hit .278 in 180 at-bats and impressed the Braves with his work behind the plate.</p><p>The Braves cleared room for McCann to become a full-time starter by trading Estrada to Arizona for relievers Oscar Villarreal and Lance Cormier. So far, McCann has delivered on the vote of confidence, but no one expected him to lead the league in hitting.</p><p>"It's pretty cool, but at the same time it means nothing if we don't get back on top in the East," McCann said.</p><p>Francoeur, McCann's youth league teammate and high school rival, says he has never seen his friend swing with more confidence.</p><p>"I think right now he just feels like even if he gets behind 0-2 or 1-2, he doesn't strike out this year," Francoeur said. "He feels like he's going to put the ball in play somewhere and hit the ball hard. He's just got that confidence going right now."</p><p>McCann says he usually talks baseball with his father only when he needs advice. That means there hasn't been much baseball talk between the two this month.</p><p>"This is the best 120 at-bats he's ever put together since he's been in pro ball," said Howie McCann. "He's always been a pure hitter. He understands the strike zone and he understands hitting the ball the other way. I just remind him 'Don't get pull conscious.'"</p><p>Similarly, Francoeur says a key to McCann's success has been the left-handed hitter's willingness to hit line drives to left field instead of always swinging for home-runs to right.</p><p>"Brian is seeing the ball real well right now," Francoeur said. "He's doing a great job of taking it to the opposite field. He's not trying to pull it. When he does that, he's very successful."</p><p>Added Francoeur: "I knew he'd come up and have a big year, especially with the team trading Johnny. Brian wanted to be ready to go this year."</p><p>McCann said, "The ball slows down" when he is on a hot hitting streak.</p><p>"A 93 miles per hour pitch looks like 88," he said. "When you're going bad, 88 looks like 100. It works both ways."</p><p>Meanwhile, the elder McCann said he stopped by Brian's house Wednesday night. This time, there was no need for any technical baseball talk between the father and son.</p><p>Said Howie McCann: "I just told him I'm proud of him."</p>
