Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.
Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.
By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 17, 2022
We hit the 2018 Voodoo Balanced a lot. We also compared it to some of the greats. In the end, we found the 2018 Voodoo can hold its own compared to any BBCOR bat in the space. They’ve met the BBCOR limit and the bat, in the right hands, can sing. The 2018 Voodoo also has a loaded version that looks just about like the balanced version other than the word Insane on the barrel.
We recommend the bat to any hitter looking for a top shelf hybrid baseball bat. By our estimation it stands in very small company of top shelf hybrid bats. Throw in the fact it focuses on a balanced swing weight and it may stand alone. Below is our 2018 DeMarini Voodoo Balanced Review.
Hitters who appreciate an aluminum barrel, lighter swing and top shelf smooth feel will love the Voodoo Balanced. The fact this bat has been around, in some form or another, the DeMarini line is proof of its success. It is the most popular hybrid bat on the market today and we see no reason for that to change come 2018.
| 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
|---|
| 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
|---|
We can think of no hybrid bat whose focus is on a more balanced swing. Some would argue that Easton’s Z-Core Hybrid would fall into this category. Although we think the Hybrid has a bit of an end load, we would have a hard time disagreeing with those that also considered it a balanced bat.
The 2018 version of the Easton Z-Core is referred to as the Z-Core Hybrid Beast X. At the time of this writing that bat is not yet available so it is impossible to measure real swing weights compared to the Voodoo Balanced.
We know the Voodoo Balanced will be offered in more sizes than the Easton Z-Core Hybrid Beast X.
The only difference between the 2017 and 2018 DeMarini Voodoo is the connective piece. In 2017 it was referred to as the D-Fusion handle. The 2018 model has a slimmed down version of the D-Fusion referred to as the 3 Fusion. Less bulk in the connective piece allows DeMarini to use the weight in other places to reinforce performance and durability without effecting swing weight.
Otherwise, the bat is the same between 2017 and 2018. This year’s model uses the same aluminum barrel and the same composite handle as is found in the 2017 Voodoo Balanced.
Not much has changed in the traditional Demarini Voodoo (hybrid) line of bats. DeMarini has produced a high end two piece hybrid, under the same bat line name, longer than anyone we have been keeping track of.
There is a reason for that.
Few companies have perfected any bat like DeMarini has honed in a two piece hybrid stick. And we have yet to pick up a hybrid Voodoo from Demarini that we did not love one way or the other.
DeMarini did, we should note, upgrade their connective piece from a D-Fusion to the 3-Fusion this year (compared to 2017). The new design removed some bulk and weight from the connective piece and allowed engineers to add more of that mass in areas that could use more durability and performance.
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.
Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest participate in affiliate marketing programs including but not limited to Amazon and eBay. We most likely earn a comission from companies we link to on this site.
© 2023. Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest Company.
