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By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 17, 2022
Overall we think the 2015 is an improvement over the 2014 version. The larger barrel and bigger sweet spot give this two-piece hybrid bat a very similar feel to a two-piece composite.
However, if you plan to afford them, we are still fans of composite barrels in light swinging little league two-piece bats for no other reason than the composite allows for the lightest swing weight and better balance control. We also appreciate the lasting pop that composite allows in the 1.15 BPF era of regulation. (This is not necessarily our stance in the BBCOR regulation bat realm). Yet if there was ever a bat to change our mind on these fronts, due to its increased aluminum barrel size without weight change, the 2015 Easton S2 with its Hyperlite alloy barrel may very well do it.
The Easton Power Brigade line is back in 2015 with the usual suspects. The Speed (S), XL, and MAKO lines will once again grace the plates of little leagues, high school and colleges around the country. Of course the big news is the MAKO TORQ with its spinning handle, but here we focus on the Easton S2.
We recommend the 2015 Easton S2 for those hitters who: Prefer aluminum bats and would like the lightest swing possible; Are looking for the latest technology; like the balance feel of a two-piece composite bat but want the pricing of an aluminum barrel (granted, this bat is still near top-shelf pricing); are contact hitters and want to increase that skill; Want a name brand bat.
We would NOT recommend the 2015 Easton S1 for those hitters who: Prefer heavier swing weights; Are on a budget; Want to accentuate their bomb-dropping skills; Prefer One-Piece Bats; Want a composite barrel; need a BBCOR, drop 5 or 2 3/4 bat.
2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
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1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
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A 2015 Easton S2, like the 2014 version, will be a two-piece bat with a composite handle and an aluminum barrel. The bat also uses Easton’s CXN connective technology, which is basically a rubber slug inserted underneath the transition between the handle and barrel. Easton has this technology patented and it has been exclusive to Easton two-piece bats for several years now.
Different than the 2014 S2, the 2015 version does have an updated aluminum alloy in the barrel called HyperLite Matrix. Easton claims this gives them the ability to make a larger barrel without affecting swing weight and durability.
From our observation, the barrel on the 2015 S2 is larger than the 2014 S2. As well, the 2015 S2 swing weight is very similar to the 2014 model. It is too early to tell if the durability is also improved or sustained but we have no reason to suspect Easton’s was not able to accomplish this.
Unlike the 2014 version, the 2015 version does lack some sizing (at least at release). Currently, the bat is only offered in a big barrel drop 10 and a 2 1/4 drop 13. We suspect, at some point, at least, a BBCOR will be added.
The overall rating uses seven different weighted metrics to determine our overall score. Half of total rating comes from the player and our exit speed tests (Player Rating: 25%, Performance: 25%).The other categories are Relevance (20%), Demand (10%), Durability (10%), Resell Score (5%), and Tech Specs (5%).
*: When a bat is denoted by a star (*) it is a preliminary rating. Expect it to be updated as we learn more about the bat and gather more data.
(PlaRa) Player Rating: We measure player rating from user reviews. Those users include our own hitters that we test at the lab as well as reviews we find online.
(ExVe) Performance: Performance measures the exit speeds and distances we capture in our hitting lab with HitTrax using these bats.
(Relv) Relevance: We measure the number of sizes and the MOI of the bat. Bats with a wider range of options get a better score.
(Dmnd) Demand: Demand is measured by consumer sentiment and the buzz around the bat.
(Drb) Durability: A bat’s durability is measured by user reviews as well as feedback from manufacturers.
(ReSl) Resell Score: Based on the price the bats go for used. Higher prices mean greater user demand which means, generally, a better bat. A resell value closer to its original price means a higher score.
(Tech) Tech Specs: We rate the bat on its technological advancements from previous years and compared to the industry at large. This is our chance to reward companies who are trying to innovate.
MOI
MOI or Mass Moment of Inertia is a measurement of bat swing weight. This quantifies how difficult it is to swing a bat. The industry often refers to this as things like End Load or Balanced but those words have been overused to the point of meaninglessness. We measure the actual swing weights of each bat we test using the industry-standard pendulum period, balance point, and scale weight. You can read more about that here.
Price
The price is the original MSRP price of the bat.
Type
The types of bats are single-piece alloy (SPA), two-piece composite (TPC), single-piece composite (SPC), hybrid (Hyb.), and wood (Wood). Hybrid bats are made of composite handles and alloy barrles.
Date
The estimated date the bat began distribution.