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By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 17, 2022
Easton continues their two piece hybrid design for the 2018 class in a newly named Easton Beast X Hybrid.
This is, for all intents and purposes, the new version of the 2017 Easton Z-Core Hybrid. We took the new Beast X Hybrid for a spin in both the BBCOR and USABat versions. That feedback, combined with our experience with the 2017 and 2016 versions of this bat put us in a place to write this 2018 Easton Beast X Hybrid Review.
As a general rule, we like the idea of hybrid bats (and the Beast X) for those who: Prefer hot out of the wrapper performance; Like the more buttery smash of a two piece bat.
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
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A slightly end loaded two piece hybrid bat in the performance space is not common. We think Demarini’s Voodoo in the balanced version might be the closest in terms of a proven workhorse with a smooth smash and a great performing barrel. The Voodoo Balanced also comes in a BBCOR and USABat, as well as some USSSA options.
For an off the beaten path option that is built similarly, take a look at the Axe Elite.
Do note, too, in the BBCOR and USABat niche, no hybrid bat comes with as large a barrel as the Easton Beast X Hybrid.
Functionally, it is hard to make the argument the 2018 Beast X Hybrid is considerably different than the 2017 Z-Core Hybrid. They both use the same Z-Core barrel that was made famous in the 2016 version.
The barrel size was upgraded from the 2016 Z-Core Hybrid, so we shy away from that version if at all possible. Although prices on that 2016, at the time of this writing, are very attractive.
In terms of marketing appeal and some minor upgrades, the 2018 Beast X Hybrid does come equipped with a new name for its barrel. The alloy is an upgrade, in Easton’s view at least, in terms of durability and performance.
The tactile difference between 2018 and 2017 is the thicker grip (1.4mm) in 2018 when compared to the 1.2mm grip for the 2017 Z-Core Hybrid.
The 2018 Easton Beast X Hybrid is made from a composite handle welded to an aluminum barrel. The barrel is remarkably large—especially compared to other bats of its type.
Easton has used the same connective piece, roughly, since they made the Mako back in 2014. This is referred to as a Connection+ (used to be CXN). It does an industry standard job of creating enough give for a smooth smash, but keeping power in the stroke.
Durability is rarely a cocen for hybrid bats. Especially when the company making the bat has been producing it for several years. Easton has produced a hybrid bat in the BBCOR space for as long as we can remember. In other words, durability should be of no concern.
(But that does not mean we suggest you buy it from some place that does not carry a warranty).
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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