It would depend on a number of factors. In many cases, its already a fight for a coil to get a plunger moving. The further out from magnetic center it is, the harder it is to get it moving. Add the weight of the ball and you slow the process down even further.

If, instead, you allow the plunger to begin moving, and then let the energy be transferred kinetically, near end of travel, it probably has a better chance at a strong hit. A nylon tip striking the ball dead center, seems to have a better effect than the fork style auto plungers used to straddle a manual ball shooter plunger.