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By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 17, 2022
In addition to the full composite 2015 Marucci Hex, which we reviewed earlier, Marucci is also set to release a hybrid bat in its senior barrel category.
This bat, the Elite Limited, is an update and improvement from the Marucci 2014 Elite. This is not the Elite Limited, but another short print bat Marucci did of the OPS One. The 2014 version had favorable reviews. Many were particularly impressed with the micro-perforated grip as well as its very balanced swing. They were also quite impressed with the length of the extended barrel. All of these traits are apparent in the 2015 Marucci Elite Limited as well.
We recommend the 2015 Marucci Elite for hitters who: Can use a Senior League Barrel; Need or prefer a light swing weight; Like the sting dampening of a two piece bat
Are on a somewhat limited budget; Want to improve their contact or on base skills; Want what could be the best looking bat on the market.
But if your goal in life is to send balls toward the international space station, then the Elite in the drop 5 might be your answer. The drop 5 is, aside from the CAT 6, Marucci’s answer to the little leaguer whose focus is more distance than OBP.
The 2015 version also has the same seamless bat hybrid design as the 2014 version. For those who have never felt Marucci’s Elite line, and their claim to a seamless two piece bat, you will be surprised at how seamless it actually is. Compared to other two piece bats, it takes some convincing that it actually is a two piece bat. The proprietary transition that Marucci has obviously perfected gives the Elite a one piece look like no other two piece on the market. Anyone who dislikes two piece bats because of the sometimes gaudy transition points may really appreciate this truly seamless hybrid.
In the cage, we found that the feedback in the hands of the 2015 Elite was a bit more honest (by honest we mean noticeable) than other two piece hybrid bats. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Honest feedback is a desire for lots of hitters–which is why lots of folks are fans of one piece bats. In addition, more feedback in the hands is directly and positively proportional to the power found in the bat. Bat’s whose transition points absorbs all the vibration almost always imply a loss of power at the plate.
Overall, we think the seamless two piece hybrid bat from Marucci is a legit mid-shelf bat in the hyrbid space. Its main competitors are the NVS Vexxum from DeMarinni and 715 from Louisville Slugger. It’s barrel size is much like the 2015 Catalyst. While the focus of the NVS is more feel at contact and the 715’s focus is more a higher swing weight, the Marucci Elite Limited beats both in its light swing with extended barrel and graphics. Those looking for a light swinging hybrid in the senior barrel category need not look any further.
We also would be amiss for not mentioning the graphics on the 2015 Marucci Elite Limited. We know that has between zero and nothing to do with how far you hit the ball, but between the Marucci CAT 6, Hex and now the Elite Limited, Marucci takes the prize on best looking bats for 2015. And I’m not sure it’s even close. Easton’s bats, which took the prize last year with the neon orange MAKO, now look like kids toys compared to Marucci’s 2015 line.
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.
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