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By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 17, 2022
The 2019 Louisville Slugger 719 Select is a hybrid bat that serves the two piece space well.
The 2019 version expands its size offerings (a good sign) and, at least in BBCOR, lowers its swing weight. In the past, the bat was built for the heavy hitting elite hitter that wanted a hot out of the wrapper bat with a smooth feel. The swing weight isn’t 619 Solo or 519 Omaha Light. But, in some sizes, it swings similar to the 919 Prime. See our full 718 Select Review for details.
The USA 718 Select was the surprise of the year. Slugger absolutely crushed the USA market—almost out of nowhere. The 718 and 618 Solo could not get in stock fast enough. Those two lines haven’t changed much from 2018 to 2019—so expect more of the same in terms of player and parent love.
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In BBCOR at least there are a few very legit hybrid bat choices. Easton has long focused on a Hybrid bat that has gone through a few name changes over the years. Their 2019 version is referred to as the 13.6 Hybrid. It is, like the 719 Select, a two piece bat built with a big barrel and a smooth smash. The barrel on the 13.6 is slightly larger.
DeMarin’s Voodoo Balanced has long been our favorite in the hybrid space. This bat comes in a number of sizes and lengths, more than the 719 or 13.6. It has, as we see it, defined the two piece hybrid space for several years now. We’ve yet to hear a single person say they don’t love the Voodoo Balanced. The Voodoo Insane is more akin to the swing weight of the 719 Select than the balanced version.
Both the options above are remarkable choices. And, turns out, so is the 719 Select. Those who have a particular affinity for Slugger or want something with a little more swing weight might lean towards the 719. Otherwise, especially when comparing the DeMarini Voodoo line, we like how the Voodoo in BBCOR is $50 cheaper at the outset. But, considering on the time of year these two bats might be the same price. When the are the same, flip a coin. You won’t be disappointed either way.
The 719 and 718 are considerably different in BBCOR. In particular, the swing weight on the 719 is lighter. The 718 was considered one of the heavier swinging bats on the market.
The 2019 719 Select should still be considered a heavier swinging bat. It swings 5% heavier than the 619 Solo in the same size (last year it swung closer to 10% heavier). But, compared to the 2018 version the 2019 is noticeably lighter in BBCOR. The USA and USSSA swing weights haven’t changed much as they already had the new end cap in 2018.
The 719, like the 715, 716 and 718 before it, is a two piece hybrid bat. That is, the handle of the bat is composite while the barrel is aluminum. From the knob to through the VCX connection piece (that ultimately attaches to the barrel) the 719 is exactly like the 919 Prime.
The principle behind a two piece hybrid bat is a hot out of the wrapper bat with a great feel on both hits and mishits. Aluminum bats require
no work in and their stiff performance, at least in the 719, guarantee top end pop on barrel-center hits. The connective piece and composite handle allow for a buttery blast in the gap or a more manageable feel on mishits.
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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