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By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 17, 2022
The 2016 Easton Z-Core XL (Amazon Price Check) is a new iteration within Easton’s performance line-up for 2016. This log of a bat is similar to the 2015 Easton S3z with the noticeable exception: the 2016 Z-Core XL has a massive end load. In fact, the Z-Core XL is the heaviest swinging bat Easton makes.
The 2016 Easton Z-Core XL incorporates an internal composite reinforcement along the barrel’s length to give the bat a considerably large barrel for a single piece alloy. Easton’s marketing literature often refers to this as ‘Mako-sizing’ the barrel.
Additionally, the Z-Core XL has a new, tackier grip and, obviously, a color up from the 2015 S3z.
On the whole, if you are a stronger player who prefers the direct feedback (i.e., the sting on mishits and butter on good hits) of a one-piece bat, need something hot out of the wrapper, and have the strength to wield a Yeti of a bat then the 2016 Easton Z-Core XL (Amazon Price Check) is a worth your serious consideration. As well, those looking for a training bat might find this pick useful in their BP time.
If you are looking for the lightest swing, a balanced swing, a two-piece bat, a hybrid bat, the biggest barrel, a composite barrel, a more forgiving bat, or anything outside of the BBCOR realm, then keep on looking.
There are many single-piece aluminum performance bats on the market today, and many of them are worth a look. However, if you’re looking for a true end load in a single piece, then the options are thinner. One off-the-beaten-path option may be the Adidas EQT X1. It is also an end-loaded single piece of aluminum. Another, more widely accepted and highly reviewed one would be Demarini’s Insane. Neither of those bats, however, have the same barrel size as the 2016 Z-Core XL.
Other worthy similarly constructed candidates—although not as big an end load as the Z-Core XL—might be the Louisville Slugger 516 Omaha and the RIP-IT Air.
The 2016 Easton Z-Core XL is a new bat in Easton’s line up but has some very familiar features. One characteristic Easton fans will be familiar with is the elongated barrel structure found in the single-piece aluminum 2015 Easton S3z. That bat incorporated an internal composite sleeve that allows a huge barrel for a single-piece aluminum shell. The 2016 Z-Core XL has the same.
Additionally, like the memorable Easton XL3 in BBCOR from days gone by, the Z-Core XL has a massive end load. The heaviest swinging bat per barrel size Easton makes in 2016 and a real pipe of a bat designed for hot out-of-the wrapper performance for players with strength.
In the grand scheme of 2016, the Easton Z-Core XL is akin to the Easton Z-Core (no XL), which is the same bat but with a balance point towards the hands. The 2016 Easton Z-Core TORQ is the same bat but with a more balanced swing and the famed rotating handle.
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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