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September 14, 2020 | by Bat Digest Review Team | @BatDigest
The 2021 Louisville Slugger META PWR is the end-loaded version of the 2021 Meta. Our swing weight measurement showed it 5% heavier—a noticeable difference—compared to its non-end-loaded counterpart. In terms of pure performance, the bat performs as good as any upper-end BBCOR bat on the planet. It sounds different than the 2020 model, due to an added piece on the inside of the barrel, but the feel and connection piece are exactly the same.
Our hitters liked the big barrel, end load, and fantastic feel of the 2021 Louisville Slugger META PWR. However, it’s not a bat for everyone. The end load makes it one of the heavier swinging bats of 2021. It’s only built for big hitters. But, it turns out, most big hitters prefer the… Jump to the full review.
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Our hitters liked the big barrel, end load, and fantastic feel of the 2021 Louisville Slugger META PWR. However, it’s not a bat for everyone. The end load makes it one of the heavier swinging bats of 2021. It’s only built for big hitters. But, it turns out, most big hitters prefer the stiffer feel and hot out of the wrapper of single-piece aluminum or alloy bats. As such, although the Meta PWR can perform with the best of them, it sits atop an empty category all by itself.
The 2021 Slugger Meta PWR is built for big hitters that prefer two-piece composite bats over single-piece aluminum or hybrid bats. That niche of players isn’t large as most big hitters like the stiffer feel of an aluminum bat and don’t want to worry about working a bat in. Despite the Meta PWR delivering top-end exit speeds and great feel on hits and mishits, we don’t see the type of player the bat will attract.
Big hitters want end loaded bats, and the META PWR is definitely an endloaded bat. However, most big hitters like stiffer feels and aluminum barrels, something the META doesn’t offer. Unfortunately, we think too many younger hitters that need a more balanced bat will go after the PWR version thinking it will improve their power. That isn’t the case.
In other words, it isn’t that the Meta PWR isn’t a good bat. It’s just that we don’t think there are many players out there who think its the right bat for them.
Price CheckIf you’re looking for a two-piece composite bat that has an end load, the only real option you have is DeMarini’s CF Insane (our review). However, that bat has very little distribution and appeal, and very few prefer it over single-piece aluminum or endloaded hybrid bats. Not because the CF Insane isn’t a good bat. But, as we state above, because most big hitters like aluminum barrels.
See the Select Review 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
See the Elite Review Axe’s most popular bat is the Axe Elite. That popularity is due to its big size offerings and great player feedback. It also fits well as a value bat as Axe isn’t nearly as popular as it should be, which ultimately pushes the price down especially when they come off of manufacturer agreed upon pricing. In other words, if you want a value bat that isn’t well known in the hybrid space its likely there’s an Axe Elite out there with your name on it.
Price CheckThe 2021 META is a two-piece composite bat built with an endloaded feel. The connection piece is reasonably stiff, but not as stiff as a single piece bat or other big-hitting hybrid bats like The Goods.
Because it is an endloaded bat, it is only produced in longer BBCOR sizes. Specifically, Slugger’s site says it comes in a 32 and 33-inch at release but will also come in a 31 through 34 eventually. We aren’t sure what type of 31″ BBCOR player would ever need the PWR version of this bat, but there it is, nonetheless.
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