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By Bat Digest | Last Updated November 17, 2022
The Rawlings Velo 2021 is one of the most long-running model lines in the bat industry. Aside from the Omaha, we can think of no other bat line that has proven the test of time. The 2021 Rawlings VELO builds on a long line of light swinging, extended composite end cap bats with a reasonable large barrel, great sound, and cult-like following. For 2021 it only comes in a BBCOR version—COVID pushed back the other models until next year.
Hitters who like the 2021 Rawlings VELO appreciate the light swing, long barrel, and loud ping of traditional alloy. For 2021, BBCOR players that want one of the lightest swinging bats per inch on the market will appreciate this. However, it’s single-piece design does give more feedback during mishits than some appreciate. Still, though, the player looking for a stiff, single-piece alloy with a light swing will be happy with the Rawlings VELO 2021.
The Rawlings Velo for 2021 in BBCOR is built for the early lineup hitter who wants as much bat speed as possible. Elite level hitters who can barrel up balls with the VELO will do as well with it as they can any bat. BBCOR bats have narrowed the performance gap considerably, so don’t expect the VELO or any other BBCOR bat to outperform their peers to any considerable degree.
Compared to the 2020, expect a thinner handle and a redesigned barrel for a different sound and a bit longer barrel profile.
| 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| MOI | Tech | Drb | Flx | Prof | ReSl | PlaRa | ExVe | Relv | Dmnd |
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There are only a few similarly constructed bats as the Velo. The Victus Vandal is likely the most similar. It also has variable wall thickness and swings light enough. However, in terms of a single piece bat with a light swing that performs at or quite near BBCOR limits, there are several options. We think the Slugger Solo is a reasonable alternate. Easton’s Fuze, DeMarini’s The Goods, and Voodoo One all serve as comparable bats to the Rawlings VELO.
The 2021 Velo has a redesigned barrel and handles that make a thinner handle and a bigger barrel. It sounds a bit different than in years past too. No longer should you expect the loud ping.
Still, though, both 2021 and 2020 VELO use a single-piece design with an extended composite end cap, variable wall thickness on the barrel to make it longer without sacrificing swing weight and vibration dampening urethane infused handle. Much of that information is marketing speak, but fundamentally the bat hasn’t changed much over the years—and that’s a good thing.
After all, there is a reason Rawlings continues to produce a Velo.
Rawlings refers to the VELO as a Hybrid. In the traditional sense, it is not. Hybrid bats are made from a composite handle and an alloy barrel.
Rawlings refers to their VELO as a hybrid because it has an extended composite end cap. However, all bat’s use some plastic end cap. Rawlings, we assume, thinks there is a bit different because their end cap is extended into the barrel’s length by 2-inches. However, other bats use this mechanism and do not call the bat a hybrid. The Slugger SOLO, as one example, also uses an extended composite end cap but does not refer to it as a hybrid bat. They leave the title for a bat like the Select series, which is a traditional hybrid.
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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