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October 7, 2020 | by Bat Digest Review Team | @BatDigest
We’ve hit with the 2021 Louisville Slugger Meta over 1,000 times. Compared to the 2020 version, there are very few changes. However, the sound of the bat, due to a new end cap, as well as a minor barrel restructuring gives it a different sound. No bat is anticipated, much like the 2021 Louisville Slugger Meta.
Expect a USSSA meta in a drop 10, 8, and 5 in October of 2020.
In June of 2020, Slugger releases the 33″ version of the 2021 Meta. This is mainly meant to replace the 2020 33″ which was made illegal. Expect to see the remaining sizes of the Meta in October, when Slugger releases the bulk of their BBCOR bats. You can check Slugger’s 2021 Meta page here for available sizing.
We’ve yet to speak to a high school ballplayer who didn’t love the Meta. Now, they may have liked something a bit better—like The Goods or the value buy like the Omaha. But, every player who swings the Meta loves it for its big barrel, balanced swing, and huge sweet spot. For th… Jump to the full review.
We’ve yet to speak to a high school ballplayer who didn’t love the Meta. Now, they may have liked something a bit better—like The Goods or the value buy like the Omaha. But, every player who swings the Meta loves it for its big barrel, balanced swing, and huge sweet spot. For three years running the bat has dominated best BBCOR bats lists for a reason. Of the few complaints, the largest is that it isn’t cheap and doesn’t come in non-BBCOR styles. As well, it is a light swinging bat so very much not made for big-time hitters. The Meta is the ideal bat for the average to above-average High School ballplayer.
Is there a release date set for a 2021 Louisville Slugger Prime? (BBCOR and -5 USSSA)
~Allen
Advice:Allen
10.21.2020 is the release date for the 2021 Louisville Slugger Prime series of bats (as well as all the other Slugger stuff too).
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.
We’d recommend the 2021 Meta to those who like a balanced swing and want the biggest barrel in the game. It also has a slightly stiff feel when compared to other two-piece composites (namely the Rawlings Quatro and CF). This more rigid feel, we think, is what sets it apart from other two-piece bats and gives it that extra pop at the plate.
If budget is no issue, you are an average to an above-average base-hitter type, and you’re looking for a new BBCOR bat you really can’t go wrong with the 2021 Meta. Of course, if you’re going to spend that much money, we suggest you make sure you buy from a certified vendor so that the warranty is intact for the full year.
Big hitters who like as much stiffness as possible in their BBCOR bat won’t appreciate the Meta. Those who need bat speed, want huge barrel, and want a great blend of giving and power in the connection piece will like the 2021 Meta.
Price Check
The 2021 Meta also comes in a USSSA version. That’s very exciting. It will use both the same composite barrel and end cap that is found in the BBCOR version of the bat. However, it will also use a new connection piece called the VCX2. That connection piece is new to the slugger lineup. It’s smooth and feels great.
Price Check
To make sure the 2021 Meta passed the ABI test that the 2020 Meta failed mid-season, Slugger redesigned the sleeve inside of the bat. Now, instead of a single sleeve, they split it into two smaller ones. These sleeves, we were told, are not performance governors. The 2021 Meta got the same exit velocity scores as the 2020 Meta in testing. Instead, it helps the 2021 Meta pass the ABI test (accelerated break-in test), which is where the 2020 version failed. In short, the ABI test measures if a composite bat will break before it exceeds the limit (it should break). The division of the single sleeve into two smaller ones solved the ABI test issue.
That said, the two sleeves also added more weight to the bat. But, to keep it within a similar swing weight, the 2021 Meta has a redesigned end cap. This new GT1 is the lightest end cap Slugger has ever put in a BBCOR bat.
We measured the swing weight of the ’20 and ’21 Meta in a 33″. We found the ’21 version to be 2% heavier. However, 2% is within the margin of error and manufacturer tolerance. Most cannot feel the difference between bats with a less than 5% swing weight. In other words, the difference between the 2021 and 2020 Meta swing weight is all but nothing.
The most popular and highly rated BBCOR bat for 2019 is back in the 2020 Louisville Slugger Meta Prime. We took to the cage, spoke to some folks at Slugger and write this 2020 Meta Prime Review. After recording exit speeds, measuring barrel sizes and recording player feedback we think the 2020 Meta the best BBCOR bat on the market today if the price doesn't matter. Of course, we wish it cost less. But, even at a premium above all bats vendors find it hard to keep in stock. Our Score 9.9 (BBCOR).
After a couple hundred hits with the 2019 Slugger Meta 9 Prime BBCOR bat we have some recommendations. We think it one of the best BBCOR bats on the market.
We hit with the 918 Prime for an entire season. One of our BBCOR players used the 32/29 during his high school play.
In the BBCOR space, there are plenty of two-piece composite bats. However, few have come close to matching the hype surrounding the Meta. Our favorite two-piece composite bat for 2020 not named the Meta is Easton’s ADV 360. The ADV tends to a little stiffer connection like the Meta, while bats like the 2020 Quatro and CF have so much given it’s hard to generate the type of power you’d expect.
See the Prime Review Our 2020 Louisville Slugger Prime review consists of years of data collection for the Slugger Prime bats. The 2020 edition will be the 6th edition of the Prime. As expected, the 2020 version is a two piece composite bat built with a balanced swing weight, big barrel and comes in a number of sizes in the BBCOR, USA and USSSA space. There are virtually no changes in the construction of the bat from the 2019 versions.
Price Check
See the ADV 360 Review Our 2020 Easton ADV 360 review is glowing. In BBCOR, behind the Meta, it rates out one of our favorite two piece composite bat for 2020. The fact its $50 cheaper makes it very attractive. For USA, the drop 11 is legit. Winning our favorite USA Bat. It swings as heavy as some drop 10 bats so don’t oversize it. The drop 10 isn’t terrible, but we prefer the Ultra Light Launch Comp in the 11. The ADV 360 in USSSA is robust with a perfect swing, big barrels and the Power Boost knob. All in all, the 2020 Easton ADV 360 line may be the best overall bat line for 2020.
Price Check
See the Quatro Pro Review Our 2020 Rawlings Quatro Pro review consists of hitting with the USA, USSSA and BBCOR versions of the bat. Our hitters thought the USSSA and drop 10 USA versions are highly recommendable. The BBCOR version, one of our favorite BBCOR bats in previous years, fell short this year with its feel and performance lacking compared to the 2019 and 2018 versions. The Drop 12 USA version is terribly light, maybe too much so, and sounds broke–although it’s exit speeds were decent for a drop 12.
Price Check
The 2021 version updates to a lighter end cap and changes the sleeving inside the bat. Instead of one sleeve, it uses two smaller ones to pass the ABI test (which got it in illegal territory for during 2020). The double sleeves instead of the one single larger sleeve are on every size (31 through 34-inch) of the 2021 Meta.
The bat uses the same EKO Composite barrel material and 3FX Connection piece found since the 2018 version.
We aren’t sure just yet. It’s likely a 32″ through 34″ inch BBCOR bat. We’d love to see a 31″ on the market. But, only time will tell.
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