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July 3, 2020 | by Bat Digest Review Team | @BatDigest
2020 Louisville Slugger Solo Review: Light, Value, Good Performance. After hitting each 2020 Solo with several different hitters, it rates out as well as the 2019 version did. That is, a very durable bat that perfectly serves the need of a budget conscience buyer who needs a light swing. The BBCOR Solo has many fans and the 29-inch is a hit for those who needs it ultra-light. The USA is our favorite Solo. The drop 11 creates as good as exit speeds as any. USSSA Solo’s aren’t as popular as composite barrels do better there. Our Score 9/10 (BBCOR); 9.8/10 (USA); 8.5/10 (USSSA).
Our hitters praised the bat’s light swing in the BBCOR and USA version.
The USSSA swings as light as a few other bats in the drop 10/11 space–but still plenty light enough. Do note, however, the 2020 Prime in USSSA drop 10 swings lighter than the Solo (close to 5% lighter). Eve… Jump to the full review.
Our hitters praised the bat’s light swing in the BBCOR and USA version.
The USSSA swings as light as a few other bats in the drop 10/11 space–but still plenty light enough. Do note, however, the 2020 Prime in USSSA drop 10 swings lighter than the Solo (close to 5% lighter). Even though the Solo is marketed as an “ultra-light” USSSA bat it doesn’t swing as light as the 2020 Prime which is marketed as just balanced.
In BBCOR and USA it didn’t matter what type of hitter picked it up they immediately notice how light the swing feels. That’s because it is. According to our swing weight measurements the USSSA and USA Solo swings weights are in the bottom 20% of every size and weight class category.
Dear Bat Guy,
Son is 12 years old (average size weight) has played ball since 5. Looking for a good fit in BBCORbat for him (30″,31″ – would prefer 31″ as he will be moving up to Middle School ball and travel). He is a contact hitter, top of lineup, not a lot of power. Not looking to spend over $250. You see so many different bats, could you give us your top 3 in a 1 piece, and top 3 in a composite? Right now he plays with a Demarini USSSA 30″ -10, and an Easton Maxum same size. In South Carolnia you have to play with BBCOR in school and travel.
Thank you so much for your time.
Derrick
Advice:Derrick,
Alright. Top 3 BBCOR bats that are (1) less than $250, (2) made for a smaller hitter, (3) are the right size for a player moving from a 30/20, and (4) for a contact hitter.
Before we say the bats, note that the differentiation in BBCOR bats is all but nothing. Despite popular opinion, BBCOR bats all perform about the same. The real trick is finding the one with the right feel and swing weight. Our guess, coming from a 30/20 two-piece composite in the CF, he’ll really NOT like a single piece aluminum bat. Try and see if you can’t pick up a light swinging composite in a 30/27. Note, too, many of the most visible composite BBCOR bats (like the Meta) don’t come in a 30″. But, bats like the CF and Easton Ghost do.
As well, in terms of sizing, we think the jump from a 30/20 at 13U to a 31/28 BBCOR is going to be HUGE. If you can convince yourself into a 30/27 that might be better. However, if he’s in a growth spurt this might be a good time for the 31/28.
Here are our picks. Hope they put on your on the right track.
Single Piece Choices
1. Louisville Slugger Solo in any year (2016/17/18/19/20/21).
2. Rawlings VELO in any year.
3. Easton Speed in any year.
Composite Options
1. Used 2016/17/18/19 DeMarini CF in a 30/27. (You’ll need to shop around a bit to find a deal).
2. Used or discounted Axe Avenge Hyperwhip from 2019.
3. Easton Ghost from 2018 in a 30/27.
Three things are appealing about the 2020 Solo and make it a very popular bat.
The light swing attracts a lot of players who need as much help as possible with bat speed and finding the pitch. The majority of growing baseball players are in this category.
The bat’s price point is more attractive than the ridiculousness of two piece composite bats on the market today. Parents looking for a value purchase, but not terribly interested in spending top dollar, gravitate towards the name brand and good reviews of the more reasonably priced 2020 Solo.
The Solo comes in a lot of sizes for each league. A short 28-inch drop 11 USA bat up to a 34-inch BBCOR.
Smaller and newer BBCOR players attract to the SOLO due to its short sizing. It is just one of three BBCOR bats that come in a 29-inch and fits great for that young 12 or 13 year old that finds himself small but required to swing BBCOR. Even the 30-inch version of the bat swings ultra light. Bigger BBCOR hitters aren’t as enamoured with the 2020 Solo, but it can work if they want a light swing and a stiff feeling bat.
Price Check
When USA released in 2018 Slugger’s Solo dominated the space. It was the only bat serving the light swinging, reasonable price point world that wasn’t called the Easton Hyperlite (which people hated). Now, for 2020, other companies have caught up in the light swing, good durability USA space. But, the 2020 USA Solo will still be very popular as it brings that same aluminum, light swing and price point to the table. It is one of our favorite USA bats on the market in terms of overall value and performance.
Price Check
Two piece composite bats dominate the USSSA space. Many of them, like the Quatro and CF, swing as light as the Solo. So, as the 2020 Solo is single piece aluminum with an extended composite end cap it doesn’t fit into what most want to feel. As such, it’s never quite got the traction it has in the USA and BBCOR space. That said, if you need a lighter swing in a single piece aluminum in the drop 10 USSSA space the 2020 Solo is as good an option as any.
Price Check
The only serious change in the lineup, save the colorway change, is the BBCOR version ads a new end cap that helps with a lower and more controlled swing weight. Our hitters could tell no difference by holding them, but do know Slugger is committed to the Solo being a light swinging BBCOR bat.
The USA and USSSA are 2020 Solo are the same as the 2019 Solo 619.
We took the 2019 Slugger 619 bat in a few different sizes to the fields and cage.
After being named the best 2017 BBCOR baseball bat, the 618 SOLO from Louisville Slugger is BACK!
On October 20th, the 2017 Louisville Slugger 617 Solo was released. We spent time on the phone with major vendors discussing expectations for the bat as well as testing the bat over the course of a season. Here is our review.
Single piece aluminum bats with an extended composite end cap were once reserved only to the Rawlings Velo’s and 5150’s of the world. But, since, others, like Slugger’s Solo has come along nicely.
The most comparable bat to the 2020 Slugger Solo is the Rawling’s 2020 Velo ACP. They are built similarly in the sense of a single piece aluminum with an extended composite end cap and a focus on an ultra light swing.
See the 5150 Review We’ve spent considerable time with Rawlings 5150 line of bats. It is as familiar in the industry as any bat has ever been.
Price Check
See the Velo Review After recording several hitter’s experience with the 2019 Rawlings Velo, we write this review.
Price CheckLike all companies, Slugger has some marketing jargon to explain different parts of the bat. We discuss those in bold below.
The Solo uses an ultra light alloy with very thin walls. They refer to this as Premium Hyper Superlight Alloy. Each company has their own spin on an aluminum alloy to make it their own. But, in reality, not many break through tech in aluminum alloys has been achieved in dozens of years. Expect the Solo to have decent durability and a light swing—a lot like other premium single piece bats in the baseball bat space.
The Solo uses an end cap built for speed and durability with the emphasis on speed. They refer to this as the Speed Ballistic Composite End Cap (or SBC) and is what separates it from a bat like the Omaha. The end cap extends into the barrel to help reduce end cap weight while keeping the bat durable.
Slugger’s 2020 Solo comes with a Premium LS Pro Comfort Grip which replaces the Lizard Skin they had on previous models. It’s a decent grip.
Sizing options are robust across each drop while the BBCOR version has as many lengths as any bat on in the 2020 market. The USA is only a drop 11 bat while the USSSA is only in a drop 10.
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