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By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 17, 2022
On the shortlist of most anticipated bats for 2021 stand The Goods. This bat had considerable success despite COVID-19 in 2020. It reached a hype level few have achieved. Although the bat was good to a great performer, it still isn’t for everyone. In BBCOR, save the paint job, it is the same bat as the 2020 version (plus an updated end cap). DeMarini adds a USSSA drop 5 and 10 to the mix as well. The BBCOR is $50 more ($399), the USSSA is $20 ($279).
Our hitter’s love the feel of The Goods. Despite its end load, a lot of younger and smaller players think it is the right fit for them. In terms of data, we have yet to see any player hit The Goods with as much success as they percieve. It is, after all, a BBCOR bat limited by a pretty restrictive standard that a lot of companies also reach in their bats. And, frankly, has been reached by the Voodoo line for several years now.
As well, hitters believe the pop and performance of The Goods is above average despite no evidence of that reality. The bat sounds right, feels right and has reached a certain level of groupthink claiming its one of the best of all time. This does not mean the bat is not recommendable.
The BBCOR 2021 The Goods is built for big hitters that want an end-loaded bat and prefer a stiffer feel in their hybrids. That isn’t everyone. As well, if you need a bat that requires no work in, is sure to produce BBCOR exit speeds right a the limit, then the 2021 BBCOR The Goods could be for you. The USSSA version in drop 10 is the USSSA Voodoo updated, but the drop 5 uses the same stiffer connection as is found on the BBCOR version.
There is not a USA version of The Goods. But, for 2021, there is a USA Voodoo.
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There are several two-piece hybrid bats with end-loaded swing weights. Probably the closest comparable bat is the Select PWR from Slugger. Both are end-loaded two-piece hybrid bats. As well, Marucci’s CAT Connect and Victu’s new NOX are hybrids with a more substantial swing.
In terms of barrel performance, there isn’t much difference between BBCOR standard bats. The real trick is finding a bat with the right swing weight—one that you can optimize total force at impact.
The most significant difference, at least at first blush, is the addition of the 34.5-inch version of the bat. Other than that, the bat’s only change is the paint job.
We should also point out that the bat is $50 more than it was in 2020.
Why?
There isn’t anything to justify the price jump other than the hype the bat received in 2020. Despite performance in line with other DeMarini Voodoos from year’s past, the perception of the 2020 The Goods was through the roof. When it ran out of stock from major retailers, the secondary market price on the bat was reaching $600.
We can’t blame DeMarini for understanding the economics of it all. If people are willing to buy a bat at $600 why would they sell it at $349. They aren’t a charitable organization after all. And, the higher initial price point keeps bat flippers, who buy up all the inventory to resale latter, at bay too.
The 2021 Goods is the grandchild of the Voodoo Insane. The Voodoo Insane is known as a two-piece hybrid bat built with a stiff connection, big barrel, and end load. The 2021 Goods is right in that alley. Expect a big barrel, massive swing, rigid feel, and a fantastic hitting experience.
The overall rating uses seven different weighted metrics to determine our overall score. Half of total rating comes from the player and our exit speed tests (Player Rating: 25%, Performance: 25%).The other categories are Relevance (20%), Demand (10%), Durability (10%), Resell Score (5%), and Tech Specs (5%).
*: When a bat is denoted by a star (*) it is a preliminary rating. Expect it to be updated as we learn more about the bat and gather more data.
(PlaRa) Player Rating: We measure player rating from user reviews. Those users include our own hitters that we test at the lab as well as reviews we find online.
(ExVe) Performance: Performance measures the exit speeds and distances we capture in our hitting lab with HitTrax using these bats.
(Relv) Relevance: We measure the number of sizes and the MOI of the bat. Bats with a wider range of options get a better score.
(Dmnd) Demand: Demand is measured by consumer sentiment and the buzz around the bat.
(Drb) Durability: A bat’s durability is measured by user reviews as well as feedback from manufacturers.
(ReSl) Resell Score: Based on the price the bats go for used. Higher prices mean greater user demand which means, generally, a better bat. A resell value closer to its original price means a higher score.
(Tech) Tech Specs: We rate the bat on its technological advancements from previous years and compared to the industry at large. This is our chance to reward companies who are trying to innovate.
MOI
MOI or Mass Moment of Inertia is a measurement of bat swing weight. This quantifies how difficult it is to swing a bat. The industry often refers to this as things like End Load or Balanced but those words have been overused to the point of meaninglessness. We measure the actual swing weights of each bat we test using the industry-standard pendulum period, balance point, and scale weight. You can read more about that here.
Price
The price is the original MSRP price of the bat.
Type
The types of bats are single-piece alloy (SPA), two-piece composite (TPC), single-piece composite (SPC), hybrid (Hyb.), and wood (Wood). Hybrid bats are made of composite handles and alloy barrles.
Date
The estimated date the bat began distribution.
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