Baseball Bat Reviews

Our hitters liked the drop 8 more than the drop 10. That added weight balance really helped to dampen the sting on mishit balls. But, to be sure, we wouldn't recommend the drop 8 if it were the wrong size. The 2021 Demarini The Goods USSSA drop 8 is a single-piece alloy with a good-sized barrel, balanced swing (for a drop 8), and top-end performance on our exit speed tests. Our review rates it Full Review

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The Victus Nox, for a first run bat, is fantastic. They claim the bat is endloaded, but our measurement showed it to be about average in the 33-Inch BBCOR market. The two-piece connection gives a semi-flexible feel on bad hits and feels great when you really dial it in. In terms of exit speeds, the bat did as well as anything in the BBCOR space---as most BBCOR bats perform really close to the limit. The Nox is for a hitter who wants a two-piece hybrid bat with a balanced swing. Victus uses a two-year release model, so the 2021 is the same as the 2020. Full Review

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The 2021 Marucci CAT 9 Connect in BBCOR is a two piece hybrid bat with a semi-flexible connection and a bit of an end load. We think it a great fit for the player who wants a hybrid but doesn't want the end load or stiffer feel of a bat like The Goods. As well, the barrel on the CAT 9 Connect is plenty large and it is one of our favorite BBCOR swings for 2021. Full Review

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The 2021 Louisville Slugger Meta PWR is the Meta PWR with an extreme end load. The bat's MOI (swing weight) is in the top 10% of the industry for the given length. It's built for the big hitter who wants more mass in their two-piece composite. As such, the 31 and 32-inch don't make much sense to us. Those who want a 31 and 32-inch PWR should get an inch longer in the non-PWR version. The 31 and 34 are were not available at the bats' release, but we are told they will eventually be available. Full Review

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Easton's B5 for 2021 is a nostalgic homage to days gone by. Its aesthetic design replicates that of the '80s. But, at its heart, it's a single-piece aluminum that appears to be the Alpha XL last year. It is a single-piece bat with a serious end load, stiff feel and really good performance. We liked the Alpha XL for what it was as well as the B5 for what it is. You'll pay a premium for the throwback paint job and great look. In the end, its a stiff, big barrelled single piece aluminum built for the big hitter who is capable of getting the most out of just about any bat. Full Review

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The Warstic Bonesaber is a single-piece alloy bat with a balanced swing and a unique tapered handle. The barrel profile isn't amazing, but the bat feels great, and if you can square up a ball consistently, you'll love the feel and performance of the bat. It's a stiff feel as most single piece alloy bats are, and the range of sizes makes a reasonable option for hitters looking for something unique. There is a black and cream-colored one---both are the same bat but for the color scheme. As well, previous versions of the bat have changed the color design only. Full Review

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The 2021 Mizuno PWR CRBN in BBCOR has a MAAASSSIVE barrel. It has the largest barrel profile of all BBCOR bats---just a bit bigger than the Easton Maxum Utlra. It swings right between the balanced and balanced+ group. So, in other words, on the verge of feeling a bit heavy, but not that bad. Our hitters were impressed by the big barrel, wish the connection piece was stiffer, and liked the Exit Speeds on this can't miss barrel. Full Review

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For a bat most have never heard of, we think Mizuno's BBCOR Hot Metal is as good as single piece alloys come. It has a good-sized barrel, a nice and slightly above average swing weight, and performs as well as any BBCOR on the market. If you want a single piece alloy off the beaten path with a good sound and decent price point, then the 2021 Mizuno Hot Metal could be your trick. Full Review

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The BM110 from Birdman Bats is one of many turns they make in the premium wood bat space. This pictured model is a maple bat with a cupped in a drop 3. But, again, if you check their site you'll see several turn options with brand and model options in Birch and Maple. One of our favorite swinging wood bats, Birdman is a premium price that can compete with any bat on the planet with a price point we are much more willing to pay. Full Review

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The Drop 10 Marucci CAT Composite for 2021 is a fantastic bat. The only thing it is missing is a 32 and 27-inch version. Other than that, it gives DeMarini's CF for its money. If the bat can hold up to its durability claims, it might surpass the CF as the best drop 10 on the market. As always, we wish it was cheaper, but it isn't an unheard of price. This is an easy win for us, and, again, if it can be durable, the bat will be one of our favorite USSSA drop 10's on the market---maybe even our most favorite. Full Review

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The StringKing Metal in USA is an entry-level single piece aluminum bat with a bit of an end-load. In terms of overall value, it really cannot be beaten. It performs well, feels good, and has a decent-sized barrel profile for a single piece alloy USA bat. We love the price, performance, and value of this bat. Our hitters like the feel and barrel profile. Full Review

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The StringKing Metal Pro is a slightly endloaded single piece alloy bat in the USSSA space. The real win here is the value of the bat---which costs several factors lower than bats it can compete just fine with. The good barrel profile, decent balanced (a bit of an end-load---but not very much) and the single-piece design performs well. Our hitters liked the feel, barrel size, and dad's liked the price point. Full Review

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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. Full Review

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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. Full Review

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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. Full Review

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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. Full Review

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The drop 8 in Louisville Sluggers 2021 Meta line is a near-perfect bat. In fact, we can't think of anything we would change other than the price. It's got a huge barrel, swings light enough for that bigger drop 10 kid in the 10U and 11U space can wield it without issue, feels fantastic, and can hit the ball with the best of them. When all is said and done, we think this might be the best drop 8 USSSA bat for 2021---although bats like the CF and Marucci CAT 9 are right there too. Full Review

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The 2021 Louisville Slugger META has a huge barrel profile, great feel, and very good performance. We liked bats like the CF and CAT 9 Connect better in the drop 5 space, but the light swinging drop player will really like the drop 5 Meta. Full Review

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Louisville Slugger's Solo in a USSSA Drop 8 swings lighter than the drop 8 USSSA average, but not by much. This is a single-piece bat with a stiff feel and good-sized barrel. Hitters swinging a 31 or 32-inch drop 10 might find a lot of value in dropping an inch and going for the drop 8 instead. That added weight takes away some of the hand-sting and the heavier drop only adds power. Overall, the bat is a fantastic bat for the right type of hitter. Full Review

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The drop 5 USSSA 2021 Louisville Slugger Solo works well for the hitter forced to use a drop 5 but still needs a light swing. The other light swinging option in a drop 5 (VELO) swings even lighter than the Solo. But, for many, the VELO is almost too light. The drop 5 Solo USSSA swings light but reasonably so. Hitters who like a stiff feel on a single piece bat, need a light swinging drop 5, or are about to size out of their drop 8 Solo should consider the drop 5. If you're swinging a drop 8 Solo in a 32-inch, we think a drop 5 in a 30 or 31 is worth considering too. Full Review

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