2020 Louisville Slugger Select Review

Updated August 10, 2023

This comprises our 2020 Louisville Slugger Select and 2020 Louisville Slugger Select PWR review. The former (no "PWR") is a balanced swinging drop 10 and 8 USA hybrid bat as well as a VERY end loaded drop 5. The later (with the "PWR") is a BBCOR version of the bat that is the next generation of the end loaded 719 Select. Both bats, the Slugger Select and Slugger Select PWR, comprise Sluggers' 2020 two piece hybrid line. We hit both bats for this review, compared exit speeds and swing weights to previous years and write this 2020 Louisville Slugger Select Review.

Price Check

2020 Select, Select PWR Video

2020 Select, Select PWR Models

In the new 2020 BBCOR Slugger Select PWR our hitters liked the stiffer feel of the connective piece when compared to the 2019 model. In the USA space, our hitters liked the many size options, great feel on contact and immediately hot out of the wrapper. The drop 5 USA is very heavy swinging while the drop 8 and 5 should be considered average. Some of our USA hitters thought it the best bat offering for 2020. We don't disagree.

General Recommendations

If you are in the BBCOR space and want serious end loaded power then the 2020 Slugger Select PWR is a great choice. As well, the USA drop 5 swings as heavy as many BBCOR bats in the same length. Our stronger BBCOR players preferred that PWR over most other high school bats. For the USA folks, the 2020 Slugger Select in drop 10 is a near industry favorite. The drop 8 gets good reviews from us as well as others and should do really well in the 12 and 13U leagues.

Reviews By Model

Previous Bats

USA

Compared to the 2019 Louisville Slugger 719 Select the new 2020 version in USA is exactly the same. Save, of course, the paint job. It still comes in a drop 5, 8 and 10 with the same aluminum barrel, composite handle and connection piece. In the event you can find both bats then the cheaper one is the way to go.

BBCOR

The BBCOR version of the 2020 Select PWR is quite a bit different than the 719 BBCOR from 2019. Slugger changed the connection piece to a stiffer feel that resembles the make up of the Meta PWR. Slugger also changed the aluminum barrel design for a longer barrel as well as a new end cap to support the longer barrel. Although we expect the market to like the Select PWR as much as they liked the 719 Select, do not expect to be getting the same bat with different paint job between the 719 and Select PWR.

Construction

The USA 2020 Select has no different construction than the 2019 version. That is, expect the same hybrid design with 7U1+ Alloy in the barrel, the VCX connection and Sped Ballistic end cap in a balanced swing weight. The grip stays the same as the Pro Comfort Premium they've had since they don't use Lizard Skin anymore. The BBCOR version has all types of new stuff. Slugger, like all companies, ads marketing jargon to their new stuff. We break it down. New to the Slugger line is the connective piece used on the Slugger PWR and the Meta PWR. It is called the 3FX-PWR Connection. Which, in effect, is the same connection they used on the 2019 Meta but with a stiffer feel. This is meant for big hitters. Worth noting, and likely the most obvious change from 2019 to 2020, is the change in alloy found in the barrel. This new alloy, which Slugger calls EXD Alloy, allows for a longer barrel without sacrificing (their claim not ours) any durability. As well, Slugger redesigned the end cap for 2020 in the Select PWR that they call a PWR end cap design. It is made specifically for the PWR bats in the 2020 lineup. The grip, and swing weight, stay the same as the 2019 719.