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By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 17, 2022
The 2017 Z-Core XL from Easton is a revamp of the 2015 model. (You can see that here). Knowing that and adding to that our knowledge of the general upgrades from the 2017 Z-Core, we write this 2017 Easton Z-Core XL Review. You may also find value in visiting the 2017 Z-Core Speed and Hybrid reviews. These two bats are built with the same barrel as the XL, just with a balance point more toward the knob. You may also find the entire 2017 Z-Core and MAKO lineup overview helpful as well.
We would buy the 2017 Z-Core XL if we were:
We would not buy the Z-Core XL if we were:
We would price shop. Starting here (Amazon). Since there aren’t any changes from the 2016 version, we would look for new, in wrapper, warrantied bats from trustworthy vendors in a 2016 model, as there isn’t a significant difference with the 2017 version.
Like last year’s 2016 Z-Core, the 2017 version is a single piece aluminum alloy bat with a heavy swing weight. The barrel is the exact aluminum barrel found in all the Z-Core lines. For at least a couple years now, Easton has used an inner sleeve in the bat’s design to increase the size of the barrel and sweet spot. It is the largest barreled single piece alloy on the market.
Our measurements showed this bat swings about 20% heavier than the MAKO. The Easton Z-Core XL is 10% heavier than the Z-Core Speed. These measurements confirm the bat as one of the heaviest swinging sticks per bat length on the market.
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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