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Updated March 2, 2023
By Bat Digest
TLDR; If we had to choose a Best BBCOR bat for 2023, we’d choose the Marucci CAT X Composite. It’s an amazing, if not expensive, bat. However, we think the 2022 DeMarini’s The Goods is the best BBCOR bat. DeMarini is not releasing a 2023 The Goods, so it will have to do. That’s great because there is plenty of inventory. Another great option is the 2023 Voodoo One, although we think its generally overrated and hard to find in stock. If you want something cheap, check out an older version of the Slugger Omaha.
If you’re looking for the best BBCOR bat for 2023, 2022, and 2021 then you’re in the right place. We’ve independently collected thousands of exit speeds from multiple hitters, measured market trends and bat performance, and reported our best bat for high school baseball below.
We’ve updated the rankings with February under our belts. This March update moves the Voodoo One into the 3rd spot, and keeps the readily available Goods in the 2 hole with lead-off still going strong for the Marucci CAT X Composite.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Light+
Serial Number: MCBCCPX
Original Price: $500
Release Month: August 2022
$500
Original Price
Is it expensive? Very. Is it cliche? Probably. Are there other options? Yes.
But this bat smokes baseballs. Hard stop.
The average to good high school baseball player will love this bat. And it’s the only bat we can feel the most confident in recommending across the board. It feels great, has a massive barrel, swings light, and every bat feels like a bomb, many are.
We think it’s the best BBCOR bat for 2023.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Mid+
Serial Number: WTDXGIC22
Original Price: $400
Release Month: October 2021
$400
Original Price
The 2022 The Goods is a fantastic BBCOR bat. It swings a little heavy, so this is not for the faint of heart, but those who like the idea of a hybrid and want to hang trophies with what many consider the best BBCOR bat on the market for 2022 should look real close at The Goods.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 29, 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Light+
Serial Number: WBD2352010
Original Price: $350
Release Month: October 2022
$350
Original Price
We’ve resisted this long enough as we think this bat is crazy amounts overrated. Lots of other bats hang with it and, many times, beat it.
But, even still, we must admit it is a great bat. It measures about 1/2 inch short compared to its claims (the 33-inch, for example, is only 32.25 inches long), but that doesn’t keep it from hitting rockets.
It’s also consistently the most popular bat in the BBCOR space, and few can keep it in stock. In any case, if you want a great bat with a light swing the 2023 Voodoo One is a top end choice.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Light+
Serial Number: MCBCX
Original Price: $300
Release Month: August 2022
$300
Original Price
If you want a single-piece alloy for 2023, then we think you’ll be happy with the Marucci CAT X. It only edges out the Voodoo One in that it swings a bit lighter and measures the full length (while the Voodoo One is cut short by 2/3 of an inch). Both are great, no doubt. But if you want the pick we think anyone who wants a single-piece bat will be happy with it for 2023, then we pick the 2023 Marucci CAT X.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Mid
Serial Number: WBL2639010
Original Price: $500
Release Month: November 2022
$500
Original Price
We know the META has lost its luster over the last few years (it’s 2019/20 version was unbeatable). People have moved on mentally. But the exit speeds, feel, durability, and player rating on this thing are fantastic.
You can look elsewhere for more hype. But the bat is a fire maker and will hit the ball as hard as anything. It is also a fantastic swing weight for almost any hitter.
Aside from the CAT X Composite, we think it is the best two-piece composite bat in the BBCOR space. If you want to go that route and avoid the CAT X composite for whatever reason, then this is your bet. Older versions of the Meta work just fine too.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Mid
Serial Number: MCBF53
Original Price: $130
Release Month: September 2021
As a pure value play, the 2022 Marucci F5 in BBCOR is an absolute win. We love the big barrel, the light swing, and the great feel on hits. The bat goes toe to toe with any single piece alloy on the market but gets 1/10 the publicity as some of the others. That’s great because you can find it in stock at most places and the sub $150 price point makes it highly attractive and great value. If you want a new bat for 2022, aren’t too worried about missing out on the ‘latest and greatest’ then the 2022 Marucci F5 is a fantastic purchase for 2022 BBCOR.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Mid
Serial Number: WTLBBMTB3
Original Price: $499
Release Month: September 2019
$499
Original Price
Although almost impossible to find, and illegal in the 33-inch version, the 2020 Meta is a beautiful bat that is worthy of the hype. The barrel is massive, the feel is perfect and there isn’t a person on the planet who has hit the 2020 Meta and said anything disparaging. For most, it was worth the second mortgage they took out to get it. To be sure, we aren’t justifying some of the insane pricing we’ve seen in the market for this bat. But, this list is about the best, not the smartest buy. All other things being equal, we’d use the 2020 Slugger Meta as the best BBCOR bat in recent memory. Also, this is the same bat as the 2019 (red) Meta.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Mid
Serial Number: WTDXVBC20
Original Price: $350
Release Month: August 2019
$350
Original Price
As we write this (March of 2021), the Voodoo is available at many outlets. This bat is fantastic, and we think it a real under-the-radar purchase. It’s as good as any Voodoo before or since. Although sacrosanct to say as much, our data shows that it performs as well as The Goods–a bat that more than a few were spending well over retail to get on the secondary market.
In terms of a hybrid bat at the current price point the market is making, we think the Voodoo Balanced from 2020 is a can’t go the wrong kind of choice.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Light
Serial Number: BB9Q3
Original Price: $450
Release Month: October 2018
$450
Original Price
If the Rawlings Quatro Pro for 2019 was durable, it might be our favorite bat ever. But, don’t expect to get more than one good season out of the bat. However, if you are good with a bat that has a propensity to break but want a rocket maker then the Quatro Pro is fantastic. The 2019 version has a soft connection piece, a really good feel, a very large barrel, and great performance.
Certification: BBCOR
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Drop: 3
Swing Weight: Light
Serial Number: BB8Q3
Original Price: $450
Release Month: October 2017
$450
Original Price
You can still find a few of these bats on the secondary market as well as a few outlets. The bat is legendary for its huge barrel performance when you tee one up, and it’s a penchant for breaking after too many hits. If you’re a big hitter, then we do not suggest it. But, if you’re a smaller BBCOR player looking for the maximum pop on lower swing speeds, then this we would recommend. Assuming, of course, you are okay with the idea that your bat may very not last you the full season.
Why We Love the 2023 CAT X Composite
Is it expensive? Very. Is it cliche? Probably. Are there other options? Yes.
But this bat smokes baseballs. Hard stop.
The average to good high school baseball player will love this bat. And it’s the only bat we can feel the most confident in recommending across the board. It feels great, has a massive barrel, swings light, and every bat feels like a bomb, many are.
We think it’s the best BBCOR bat for 2023.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: MCBCCPX
Release Month: August 2022
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2022 The Goods
The 2022 The Goods is a fantastic BBCOR bat. It swings a little heavy, so this is not for the faint of heart, but those who like the idea of a hybrid and want to hang trophies with what many consider the best BBCOR bat on the market for 2022 should look real close at The Goods.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: WTDXGIC22
Release Month: October 2021
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2023 Voodoo One
We’ve resisted this long enough as we think this bat is crazy amounts overrated. Lots of other bats hang with it and, many times, beat it.
But, even still, we must admit it is a great bat. It measures about 1/2 inch short compared to its claims (the 33-inch, for example, is only 32.25 inches long), but that doesn’t keep it from hitting rockets.
It’s also consistently the most popular bat in the BBCOR space, and few can keep it in stock. In any case, if you want a great bat with a light swing the 2023 Voodoo One is a top end choice.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 29, 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: WBD2352010
Release Month: October 2022
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2023 CAT X
If you want a single-piece alloy for 2023, then we think you’ll be happy with the Marucci CAT X. It only edges out the Voodoo One in that it swings a bit lighter and measures the full length (while the Voodoo One is cut short by 2/3 of an inch). Both are great, no doubt. But if you want the pick we think anyone who wants a single-piece bat will be happy with it for 2023, then we pick the 2023 Marucci CAT X.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: MCBCX
Release Month: August 2022
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2023 Meta
We know the META has lost its luster over the last few years (it’s 2019/20 version was unbeatable). People have moved on mentally. But the exit speeds, feel, durability, and player rating on this thing are fantastic.
You can look elsewhere for more hype. But the bat is a fire maker and will hit the ball as hard as anything. It is also a fantastic swing weight for almost any hitter.
Aside from the CAT X Composite, we think it is the best two-piece composite bat in the BBCOR space. If you want to go that route and avoid the CAT X composite for whatever reason, then this is your bet. Older versions of the Meta work just fine too.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: WBL2639010
Release Month: November 2022
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2022 F5
As a pure value play, the 2022 Marucci F5 in BBCOR is an absolute win. We love the big barrel, the light swing, and the great feel on hits. The bat goes toe to toe with any single piece alloy on the market but gets 1/10 the publicity as some of the others. That’s great because you can find it in stock at most places and the sub $150 price point makes it highly attractive and great value. If you want a new bat for 2022, aren’t too worried about missing out on the ‘latest and greatest’ then the 2022 Marucci F5 is a fantastic purchase for 2022 BBCOR.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: MCBF53
Release Month: September 2021
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2020 Meta
Although almost impossible to find, and illegal in the 33-inch version, the 2020 Meta is a beautiful bat that is worthy of the hype. The barrel is massive, the feel is perfect and there isn’t a person on the planet who has hit the 2020 Meta and said anything disparaging. For most, it was worth the second mortgage they took out to get it. To be sure, we aren’t justifying some of the insane pricing we’ve seen in the market for this bat. But, this list is about the best, not the smartest buy. All other things being equal, we’d use the 2020 Slugger Meta as the best BBCOR bat in recent memory. Also, this is the same bat as the 2019 (red) Meta.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: WTLBBMTB3
Release Month: September 2019
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2020 Voodoo
As we write this (March of 2021), the Voodoo is available at many outlets. This bat is fantastic, and we think it a real under-the-radar purchase. It’s as good as any Voodoo before or since. Although sacrosanct to say as much, our data shows that it performs as well as The Goods–a bat that more than a few were spending well over retail to get on the secondary market.
In terms of a hybrid bat at the current price point the market is making, we think the Voodoo Balanced from 2020 is a can’t go the wrong kind of choice.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: WTDXVBC20
Release Month: August 2019
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2019 Quatro Pro
If the Rawlings Quatro Pro for 2019 was durable, it might be our favorite bat ever. But, don’t expect to get more than one good season out of the bat. However, if you are good with a bat that has a propensity to break but want a rocket maker then the Quatro Pro is fantastic. The 2019 version has a soft connection piece, a really good feel, a very large barrel, and great performance.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: BB9Q3
Release Month: October 2018
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2018 Quatro
You can still find a few of these bats on the secondary market as well as a few outlets. The bat is legendary for its huge barrel performance when you tee one up, and it’s a penchant for breaking after too many hits. If you’re a big hitter, then we do not suggest it. But, if you’re a smaller BBCOR player looking for the maximum pop on lower swing speeds, then this we would recommend. Assuming, of course, you are okay with the idea that your bat may very not last you the full season.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: BB8Q3
Release Month: October 2017
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2020 Solo
We are aware that the Solo gets a lot of hate in some circles (FaceBook). We aren’t sure why. The bat’s user reviews are fantastic. In terms of overall value, the ratings on Amazon and JustBats are way above average. People love the light swing, good-sized barrel, manageable price point, and its performance.
One of its most attractive features is the fact it comes in a 29-inch version. Throw in the light swinging nature of the Solo due to its extended composite end cap and you have a perfect bat for that 13 or 14-year-old who is still just trying to figure out how to grow. Our oldest son, who very well at 132lbs his senior year, used the 29-inch solo his freshman year in high school. He did great with it, had good bat speed and was able to be on time while a lot of his teammates were still late.
At the time of this writing, we found plenty of the 2020 in stock for a considerable discount over the 2021 version. The bat hasn’t changed from those previous years so we’d be all in on the 2020 from a certified vendor.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: WTLBBS620B3
Release Month: September 2019
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2015 Air Elite
If you’re patient, you can usually get the Air Elite or the Air circa 2015 for under $30. Truth be told, our exit speed data with the RIP-IT from that era are as good if not better than any bat you can find today. The Elite has a stiff two-piece connection and a good-sized barrel. Not to sound crazy, but the Air Elite was The Goods long before The Goods was The Goods.
We hit a lot and measure exit speed all the time. Whenever a high school player hits with the RIP-IT armament around 2015, they are shocked at how well they perform compared to bats 10x the price.
We love the idea of spending under $40 on your BBCOR bat. If you can find one in that range, we say, why not? Give it a spin. It’s not going to feel amazing on your hands, and you’ll be unimpressed with the sound and barrel profile. But, you’ll enjoy it plenty when you’re standing on second base, again.
Also, you can find this bat in a 2014 and 2016 version too. Go for it. They’re all the same and just as good.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: B1503E
Release Month: January 2015
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2021 The Goods
All but impossible to find these days, the 2021 BBCOR The Goods from DeMarini is a fantastic bat. We called its superiority before the 2021 season started and we likely understated its dominance. We think it the best bat for 2021. However, it is impossible to find because they all sold out. Still, though, player feedback on this bat is through the roof. Everyone who hits it loves it–even the small kids. Its great feel has convinced more than a few in the balanced market to see if they can wield this monster and more than a few of those have been happy with the switch. If you got a little bit of power and want to swing what many consider the best feeling bat in the business, the 2021 The Goods is it.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 33, 34, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: WTDXGIC21
Release Month: August 2020
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2022 Omaha
If you want a good deal on a brand new BBCOR bat for 2021, then take a close look at the Omaha from Louisville Slugger. Few bats have been around longer, and few get more love from NCAA players. The bat has a big barrel, and top-end performance even compared to bats 2x+ its price.
Note, the 33 and 34-inch versions of the 2022 Omaha have a heavy swing weight for their class. The 32 and below have a more balanced swing weight.
You may balk at the entry-level price of a performance bat for around $200. That’s fair; if you want to go even lower than that, we suggest the Rawlings 5150. That bat also gets a lot of publicity from NCAA players. We have always had more affinity for the Omaha as we think it feels better and like the bigger barrel profile and lighter swing weight. But, the 5150 would be a great, even less expensive new BBCOR bat for 2022.
If you can find older versions of the Omaha, they’re just as good as the 2022 (or 2023 for that matter).
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: BB05B322
Release Month: October 2021
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2021 CF
DeMarini’s CF for 2021 has a very flexible connection. There is a lot of give in the handle on mishits and, therefore, even the worst of hits feel great.
The bat also has top-end performance as the bounce off a bat happens AFTER the ball makes contact. So, any give on the connection piece does not take away from its exit velocity. That point is not well understood in the industry and many think that a stiffer bat transfers more power to the ball. That is not the case, however. Bats eject from the barrel so quickly the connection piece’s stiffness does not affect ball exit velocity.
All that said, smaller hitters or those who want a really nice feel on every hit (and avoid any handsting) will prefer DeMarini’s 2021 CF.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: WTDXCBC21
Release Month: August 2020
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2017 Mako Beast
If you want a great two-piece composite bat for a great deal then look for the 2017 Easton MAKO Beast on eBay. The bat can hit missiles and has held up well over the years—much better than a bat like the Quatro. As well, as far as we have observed, the bat comes at a serious discount and you can get a great feel, big barrel, light swing in a two-piece composite bat price that would also include a glove or another bat.
In terms of a straight value buy, if you’re looking for a two-piece composite bat in BBCOR then the 2017 Easton MAKO Beast should be high on your list.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: BB17MK
Release Month: August 2016
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2021 Voodoo One
Our favorite single-piece BBCOR bat is the Maxum 360 or Ultra. We like the bigger barrel profile than the Voodoo and its exit speeds. We think that is proven out in the college ranks too where the Maxum is a big win.
That said, the 2021/2020/2019/2018 Voodoo One is a favorite of ours too, and gets good player feedback. (The bat has not changed for several years). It has a great sound, and good performance despite a pretty small barrel profile. It’s also a durable bat and although not the lightest swinging BBCOR bat around, is definitely lighter than some of the heavier ones like its two-piece counterpart The Goods.
We also really like The Goods One Piece. It is a very similar bat with the same alloy a slightly heavier swing and a bigger barrel profile when compared to the Voodoo One.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: WTDXV0C21
Release Month: August 2020
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2016 Voodoo Raw
These bats are becoming more and more scarce. But, if you can find one of these in the secondary market on eBay or Sidelineswap under $100 it might be the best bat move you’ve ever made.
The bat has a more flexible connection piece—which DeMarini changed in the following years. Now, the Voodoo line (aka The Goods) is a stiff feeling two-piece hybrid bat. But the Raw was quite flexible, a lot like the CF was then and is today.
As such, it feels a bit different than most power bats. We did a very long test this last year on the best Voodoo and this guy came out on top even compared to what a lot of folks think is the latest and greatest.
In terms of an old-school power hitters bat in the hybrid space? This is it.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: DXVDC
Release Month: September 2015
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2021 Elite One SE Pro
This might not be the right choice for everyone, but if you want some power in your swing and a trick you’ve yet to try, we guess you might be happy with the new Axe Elite One. It is a single-piece alloy with a good barrel and an updated handle on the Axe bat. This newer handle (called the PRO Version handle) has more roundness to the back end of the knob and was created directly because of the feedback from the MLB folks who are swinging Axe wood bats in the Pros.
The bat swings on the heavy side, but if you can squre it up you’ll hit the ball real well. If you want to try something different and a bit off the beaten path, we’d go here.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 32, 33, 34
Drop: 3
Serial Number: L137JPWR
Release Month: August 2020
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Why We Love the 2013 CAT 5^2
It doesn’t come in a 33 or 34-inch, and the supply is slim, but we have found several 32 and 31-inch Marucci CAT 5’s on eBay over the years for well under $50. Those bats have outperformed basically every BBCOR bat we have ever compared them against. The feel is also not amazing—the bats sting a bit on mishits and even good hits sometimes. It’s not fun to have your hands hurt, but it’s also not fun to fly out to the left fielder. We’d rather have wringing hands and home runs than no callouses and fly out—all day.
Certification: BBCOR
Barrel Size: 2 5/8
Sizes: 31, 32
Drop: 3
Serial Number: CAT5
Release Month: October 2014
Related: Best BBCOR Bats
Yes, generally, for USA and USSSA baseball, although local leagues may have their own rule.
For softball, the answer is likely no unless the rules are very lax.
It would be best if you asked the league directly what they allow. Generally, if you don’t know, assume that BBCOR bats are only good for high school and college-level baseball.
We talk about this problem at length here.
In very short, two-piece bats are made from two pieces (barrel and handle) while the one piece is a single piece of material. This, of course, excludes things like the end cap and grip.
Usually, yes. The reason? Probably because people will pay it. BBCOR players tend to be more serious as this is high school and college baseball; therefore, they’re more willing to spend more of their resources (including money) on their equipment. The bats don’t cost much more than little league bats to produce, but their price is a function of supply and demand.
The best way to find the right BBCOR bat for you is to find opportunities to swing them. If you have a local sporting goods store that lets you hit, that’s great! If not, maybe some of your friends and teammates have bats that you can borrow?
Worst case, you can search used markets for really cheap older versions of bats and get them to see if you like them. If you do, and you want the new one, you can usually sell the used one for about what you paid and then buy a new one of that version.
Generally, you want a bat that maximizes your ability to square up the ball with the most power possible. The correct answer for you, then, is individualized. A hitter’s right swing weight depends on their skill level and preferences. Some hitters like short bats with an endload to long bats with a light swing.
Yes, BBCOR bats are legal for the United States for high school and college baseball. In the US, high school and college baseball leagues require the use of BBCOR-certified bats, which meet specific performance standards established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
BBCOR bats are typically made from aluminum (aka alloy), wood, or composite materials. They have a maximum length of 36 inches and a maximum diameter of 2.625 (2 5/8) inches. They also have a maximum stated weight-to-length ratio of -3, meaning the bat cannot be more than 3 ounces lighter than its length in inches (for example, a 31-inch bat must weigh at least 28-ounces).
The BBCOR standard was introduced in 2011 as a response to concerns about the performance of non-wood bats, particularly in high school and college baseball. The standard is intended to make the performance of non-wood bats more similar to that of wood bats, which have a lower trampoline effect.
BBCOR stands for “Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution.” A BBCOR bat is a type of baseball bat that has been approved for use in high school and college baseball in the United States and other organizations that follow these rules. BBCOR bats are designed to have a lower “trampoline effect” than different types of baseball bats, meaning that the ball will not travel as far off the bat when hit.
You can seem the 2023 BBCOR bat reviews we have written here.
We update those consistently and as we see new BBCOR bats get approved.
Every swing weight below is measured by us in our lab. We measure the actual swing weight as the industry tests and standards do. We take the balance point between two scales, the pendulum period on a laser timer, and measure the pivot point with accurate measurements.
We’ve seen a few lists that put together the swing weight and, to be frank, they’re wrong. These people are, ultimately, guessing based on marketing writeups.
We have the exact swing weights and these are it, in order of heaviest to lightest.
We measured the distance from the end cap to the part of the bat where it begins to taper below its 2 5/8 maximum diameter. The longer the measurement the bigger the barrel.
How important is this metric? We can’t believe it is that significant, but if all things were equal we’d want a bat with a bigger barrel. In any case, we measured it so here is the data.
For 2023 bats, we found a considerable range. From biggest to smallest:
At Bat Digest, we make it a point to deliver genuine reviews from real players. A significant piece of the baseball bat market is the BBCOR space, and as such, we have used every performance ($150+) BBCOR bat since 2017 for testing in some fashion or another. Most of that work comes between three to four different hitters, but often we gather feedback from far outside that circle, too.
Over the years, much of the data we capture has been qualitative. That is, it responds to the quality of the product in terms of feel, aesthetics, and personal feedback. They serve as a basis for our impressions of the bat. Qualitative data is less objective and, therefore, harder to transfer its value from one player to another.
We also use several quantitative measurements to get a feel for the best BBCOR bats. Our exit speed testing, barrel testing, and swing weight and compression testing influence our rankings considerably. We also use aggregated feedback from some rating sites like Amazon and justbats.com to get a feel for what people may or may not be saying about the bat.
Granted, many of those reviews are challenging to verify, and it is possible that the sellers scrub them only to portray a positive outlook.
Our funny way to answer the question of whether we are right by simply saying no, we are probably not correct. Our recommendations may not be suitable for everyone.
Our defense is that our rankings are the objective effort in finding the 2023 BBCOR bat players we would be the happiest with on average.
Does that mean everyone will appreciate the feel, pop, and balance? Of course not. But our best guess—which we believe is more educated than anyone in the market—is without industry or vendor bias.
We also measured the length of the max barrel size on each BBCOR bat. The vast majority are very close to each other. The winner is the Easton Maxum followed real closely by Easton’s ADV 360, Axe’s Avenge, DeMarini’s CF, Slugger’s Meta, Marucci’s Cat, and the Victus Vandal.
Here’s an image showing the best BBCOR bat barrel sizes.
We also measured all the swing weights of the 2020 BBCOR bat class. We measure these bats individually and, we’ve learned, many of the same models have a manufacturing tolerance of their weight distribution. Not all bats of the same make and model and weight are the same. In other words, your results may vary, but these are the swing weights (+/- 3%) of the bats we worked with to get our ratings.
You can read more about swing weights here.
The best-kept secret in the industry is that the best BBCOR bat is actually the right size bat. BBCOR standards have leveled the playing field such that barrel performance is eerily similar across every brand, model, and make. The best way to improve your exit velocity is to dial in the right swing weight. See our Bat Size Chart. If you are still not sure about the right bat size, check out our advice column.
We expect a few more bats for 2023, but the bulk of them have already been released.