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By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 12, 2020
Our hitters found the feel on the Quatro, especially the BBCOR, to be perfect. The swing weight was lighter than most bats and the barrel size bigger than most bats. The price point compares to other bats of its type (two piece composite). Generally, exit speeds were above average with the BBCOR outshining everything.
Rawlings looks to improve upon the durability of their flagship bat with the 2019 Rawlings Quatro Pro. The BBCOR version of the bat was our favorite bbcor bat in 2018.
We think the 2019 Rawlings Quatro is a great combination of the 2017/18 version and the newer 2020/21 versions. That is, it has the same kind of feel as the 2017 but has more durability than the 2020/21 version. That might be more perception than reality. But, in fact, the 2019 Rawlings Quatro is our favorite Quatro of the bunch.
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
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| 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
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| 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
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| 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
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| 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
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There are several high end two piece composite bats. These bats tend to be the flagship bat of major vendors. They include the ones you heard of like the CF Zen from DeMarini, the Easton Ghost X and Louisville Slugger’s 919 Prime. In terms of price, performance and feel the four bats are remarkably close.
We do find the 919’s swing weight closer to the Rawlings Quatro while the Ghost X and CF Zen swung a bit lighter.
They changed a few things on the 2019 Quatro. Enough so that buying last year’s model will likely yeild a different experience. Here are some of the changes:
The 2019 change also improved the durability. Early reports show the bat is holding up a bit better. The 2018 version was notorious for cracking early. But, before you get the impression we think that is a bad thing, the bat was crazy hot. BBCOR and USA exit speeds showed top of the class.
As such, we’d recommend the 2019 version over the 2018 version—although the price gap may be tempting. Of course at some price the 2018 version is a fantastic get—especially in the BBCOR space. But, in terms of a used 2018 USA bat on ebay, we would avoid this time around.
As we mention above, the Rawlings Quatro is a two piece composite bat. Two piece composite bats are generally built with the idea of a light swing and a big barrel. Of course there are notable exceptions to this.
Unique to Rawlings’ two piece design is a synthetic collar that surrounds the connection point. For 2019 this has been upgraded to reduce more sting from mishits.
As well, Rawling’s uses a floating inner barrel towards the end of the bat. This extra barrel allows for better trampoline effect at slower impact speeds as well as a sort of governor to keep it from overdoing the restriction limits. In 2019, the inner barrel was moved more towards the knob of the bat to reduce swing weight and, hopefully, improve durability.
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%).
(UR) Un Rated: An overall rating of UR means the bat has yet to be fully rated. When it is, this score will update.
(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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One of the kids on my summer team had on of BBCOR Quatros bats. While doing soft toss before a game the barrel of the bat came off the handle mid swing and hit me in the leg. Results in a fracture in my tibia and a large cut on my leg. Can’t drive for 6 weeks. So a piece design may result in a lighter swing, but it doesn’t result in a safe bat. Maybe this bat was just a lemon. Kid got the bat for a christmas present, and had only been used in one game prior to this.
Just picked up a 2019 Quatro 32/29. Holy fricken cow! The thing is fricken fire hot! My son loves it, but will have to wait til his sophomore year to game it. He’ll swing 31 next year unless he hits a crazy growth spurt.
Just got the 2020 version in Red. The collar is made if carbon fiber and looks like it will hold up. H.S. Senior son hit BP and hit one 400 ft. He hit hardest line drives ever for him. He had a 2018 version that was hot but not durable. Looks like Rawlings made good upgrades.
To be fair, I contacted Rawlings after the replacement bat broke and they are sending me another one free of charge
I have bought 3 quatros for my son the last three years. Each year I had to send the bat back in for one reason or another. Each time Rawlings sent me a new bat back and each time the replacement bat lasted less than one month. Unfortunately, I will never purchase a Rawlings bat again. The quatro has tremendous pop and is great that way but there is no durability at all.
Hey Ed, were these quatro bats the 2019 BBCOR or 2018 BBCOR model? I’m a heartbeat away from ordering one for my son as well. Several of the guys on his summer league team uses the 2019 model. The few times he’s taken the bat into the batter’s box, he’s come away with a positive experience. He claims it hit much better than his 2018 LS Prime 918. The durability issues frightens me however. At least we’re glad to hear Rawlings was responsive and quickly replaced your son’s bat when trouble showed up.
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