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By Bat Digest | Last Updated December 3, 2020
The long-awaited Marucci CAT 9 was made widely available on 8.31.2020. (Check here to buy it). For 2021, expect the same great barrel with a new alloy and the same AV2 knob found in the CAT 8. The 2021 Marucci CAT 9 comes in BBCOR, USSSA and USA. It’s big barrel and light swing in USSSA will attract a lot of hitters, again. The not too end-loaded BBCOR performs as well as any BBCOR bat on the market, has a loud ping and a great look.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: B
Serial Number: MCBC9A
Original Price: $350
Release Month: September 2021
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
$350
Original Price
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MCBC9
Original Price: $350
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
$150
Original Price
Certification: USA
Sizes: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 11
Swing Weight: L+
Serial Number: MSBC11YUSA
Original Price: $150
Release Month: November 2021
Related: Best USA Bats
$280
Original Price
Certification: USSSA
Sizes: 28, 29, 30, 31, 32
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Drop: 8
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MSBC98
Original Price: $280
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best USSSA Bats
$280
Original Price
Certification: USSSA
Sizes: 30, 31, 32
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Drop: 5
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MSBC95
Original Price: $280
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best USSSA Bats
$280
Original Price
Certification: USSSA
Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Drop: 10
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MSBC910
Original Price: $280
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best USSSA Bats
Certification: USSSA
Sizes: 24, 25, 26, 27
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Drop: 10
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MJBBC9
Original Price: $220
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best USSSA Bats
2022 CAT 9 Pastime BBCOR Drop 3
$350
Original Price
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: B
Serial Number: MCBC9A
Release Month: September 2021
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
2021 CAT 9 BBCOR Drop 3
$350
Original Price
CAT 9 BBCOR Drop 3
The CAT 9 is a tiny bit heavier than the average BBCOR but so little that it's hard to tell. By our measurements, this is a lighter swinging bat than the 2018 CAT 8. The Marucci CAT 9 BBCOR is an ultra-popular bat with great barrel size, grip, feel, and performance. It's a top of the line and durable bat that likely deserves all the praise it gets. That said, it is a single-piece alloy and you can find those kinds of bats (without the fancy knob) for a lot less than this. We also love the half sizes added this year.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MCBC9
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
2022 CAT USA Drop 11
$150
Original Price
CAT USA Drop 11
The 2022 Marucci CAT USA is a new bat for the 2022 lineup---that is, it isn't a repaint of the previous years USA Bat. This new version has a 2 5/8 barrel (the last had a 2 1/2) with an upgraded alloy and look. It still uses the anti-vibration knob, is a one piece alloy bat and a balanced swing. We think the bat will work well for that serious entry level player looking for a stiff feel and a light swing on a well known and made bat.
Certification: USA
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 11
Swing Weight: L+
Serial Number: MSBC11YUSA
Release Month: November 2021
Related: Best USA Bats
2021 CAT 9 USSSA Drop 8
$280
Original Price
CAT 9 USSSA Drop 8
The drop 8 CAT 9 in USSSA is a 2 3/4 barrel with a great feel, major pop, and some serious industry love. This is the most popular drop 8 on the market due, at least in part, to its price point, player ratings, and brand name status. We love the bat and recommend it to anyone looking to size up from a drop 10 or who wants to try a single piece bat for the first time. It's one of the best-rated bats on the planet. We also love the drop 8 in the shorter sizes---it really helps manage hand sting better for those who can wield it.
Certification: USSSA
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Sizes: 28, 29, 30, 31, 32
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Drop: 8
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MSBC98
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best USSSA Bats
2021 CAT 9 USSSA Drop 5
$280
Original Price
CAT 9 USSSA Drop 5
The 2021 drop 5 Marucci CAT 9 is a few bats that can compete with the drop 5 DeMarini CF. The CAT 9 feels great and hits the crap out of the ball. It has a balanced swing, about like the CF. It's the biggest difference is the stiffness of contact. There's more feedback in this bat than in the CF---which is ultra-smooth. So, if you want a stiff feeling, drop 5 bats with a good barrel, great user ratings, and price point to save you a few bucks (compared to the CF), then this is your bat. We'd love to see it in a 29-inch and/or 33-inch, but not every bat can be perfect.
Certification: USSSA
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Sizes: 30, 31, 32
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Drop: 5
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MSBC95
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best USSSA Bats
2021 CAT 9 USSSA Drop 10
$280
Original Price
CAT 9 USSSA Drop 10
The CAT 9 USSSA Drop 10 is many folks' favorite USSSA bat. It's wildly popular for its price point, feel brand name, and performance. Our players liked the size options, big barrel, light swing, and loud sound on contact. It feels like you hit the ball hard because you do. Easily one of our favorite USSSA bats on the market. Not very many bats get a 10, but we have no idea how we could make this bat any better.
Certification: USSSA
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Drop: 10
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MSBC910
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best USSSA Bats
2021 CAT 9 USSSA Drop 10
$220
Original Price
Certification: USSSA
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Sizes: 24, 25, 26, 27
Barrel Size: 2 3/4
Drop: 10
Swing Weight: B+
Serial Number: MJBBC9
Release Month: October 2020
Related: Best USSSA Bats
Our hitters like the loud sound, great feel for a single piece, and what feels like a long sweet spot on the 2021 Marucci CAT 9. The bat looks great and doesn’t feel much different (if at all) when compared to the 2020 CAT 8. That isn’t a bad thing, but it does feel a bit like the same old CAT with a new look and a differently named alloy.
Our hitters like the loud sound, great feel for a single piece, and what feels like a long sweet spot on the 2021 Marucci CAT 9. The bat looks great and doesn’t feel much different (if at all) when compared to the 2020 CAT 8. That isn’t a bad thing, but it does feel a bit like the same old CAT with a new look and a differently named alloy.
2020 DeMarini The Goods Review: Endloaded, Stiff, Big Hitting. We put the 2020 DeMarini The Goods two piece bat in the hands of 3 serious BBCOR ball players. Each found the bat to swing heavy (in a good way), feel great and look fantastic. We also watched many NCAA 2019 College World Series players give it a shot. The bat is a great shift from the Voodoo Insane of 2019 and is clearly built for the big hitter who still likes a two piece hybrid instead of a single piece aluminum. Our Score: 9/10.
We have now spent considerable time both in the cage and during games with the 2018 DeMarini Voodoo One balanced. It is a light swinging version of the older Voodoo Insane and does really well against a bat like the Rawlings VELO.
See the CAT 8 OTM Review
*These are basically sold out at this point.***
For the 2018 holidays, Marucci has released a special colorway on the CAT 8.
As we stated above, the 2021 Marucci CAT 9 comes with an upgraded allow when compared to the CAT 8. They changed some things to make it more durable and a bit thinner. Marucci still uses multivariable wall thickness to extend the length of the sweet spot and bring down swing weight. As well, in the BBCOR bats, they added a groove along the length of the barrel to bring down the swing weight even more.
After a month of use with the BBCOR and USSSA versions of the CAT 8 we put together this 2019 CAT 8 Review. (Looking for the 2020 USA Marucci CAT review?)
The 2018 Marucci CAT 7 is the same as the 2017 Marucci CAT 7. Marucci doesn't hide this idea. They release their performance bats on a two year cycle.
JustBats purchased the exclusive rights to the CAT 6. That is, the updated look on the CAT 6---with the red base and white accents---is a JustBats only bat. The expectation, as far as we understand it, is that such will be the case indefinitely. Making such an arrangement, as far as know, a first.
The 2021 CAT 9 in USSSA is a balanced to light swinging big barrel single-piece aluminum bat. Performance-wise, it does well in the space and performs as well as the DeMarini CF, which has dominated the area for years. In BBCOR, the bat swings heavier than most give it credit. We consider the bat with a slight end-load but a colossal barrel, great sound, and top-notch performance.
Those who like the feel of a single piece bat, as well as the durability afforded by a single piece aluminum, might find the CAT 9 to their linking. As well, the bat has a slight end load, so don't think it's for the faint of heart. This is not a great first BBCOR bat kind of look. But, for that good to strong Junior or Senior looking to make some noise (both literally and figuratively), this is the bat. Also, BBCOR bats these days perform about the same. The BBCOR standard keeps barrel performance across brands and models very uniform. This is not a knock on the CAT 9. We love it in BBCOR. But, don't buy the hype that his BBCOR bat (or any other) is markedly better than another.
Price Check
The bat we recommend second, to almost every USSSA player, is the Marucci CAT 9. We love its big barrel, light swing weight, and reasonable feedback on mishits. If you don't want to spend DeMarini CF kind of money and are okay with a little more feedback on the hands during mishits---especially mishits on the inside of the barrel, then the 2021 Marucci CAT 9 should be high up your list.
Price CheckMarucci has used the same general principles in their CAT line of bats ever since the now illegal Cat 5. That is, they:
Dicks Sporting Goods has an exclusive version of the 2021 Marucci CAT 9. It’s a call back to the white edition from years past. It comes in a drop 10, 5, and BBCOR. Note, the drop is not legal for NCAA baseball as they don’t allow white bats. But, it is allowed in high school leagues.
The Marucci CAT 9 has been a long time in the making. Since the CAT 5, the bat has stayed true to its roots, but come a long way too. It still boasts an anti-vibration knob, loud sound, and single-piece feel. Over the years, the barrel size has increased dramatically—implementing variable wall thickness to extend the battel’s usable length and keep the swing weight down. However, the bat still chimes loud on contact, and the anti-vibration knob, now on the third or fourth iteration, still holds to its initial intent: Deliver a single piece feel with a single-piece feel.
Compared to the CAT 9, the CAT 9 Connect uses a composite handle and a connective piece Marucci calls the OLS. Our younger hitters tend to prefer two-piece bats because they feel better on mishits
We took on a particular hitter, a 12-year-old, and hit 60 pitches on the CAT 9 and CAT 9 Connect. They preferred the feel of the CAT 9 Connect. The barrels are no different—both the AZR. The bats have similar swing weights.
The only difference is the feel. You get better hand protection in a Connect than you do in a CAT 9 because that two-piece really dampens the sting in the hands.
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Any update on information regarding the 2020 Cat 9?
Yes. The CAT 9 is now expected to release in August of 2020. COVID has it pushed back. Thanks!
the bat is so worth the money has a huge barrel great pop and if u hit it on the barrel it flies
My dad got me it for Christmas but they didn’t have my size so to won’t be hear until January. But I hear amazing things about the cat 9