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July 3, 2020 | by Brian Duryea | @BatDigest
After 1,000 swings from 5 different players, we think the best USA bat for 2020 is Easton’s ADV drop 11.
What is the Best USA Bat for 2020?
In our analysis, we tracked it’s exit speeds, measured swing weights, and got quantitative feedback from each player that hit 2020 USA Bats. We also measured the bat’s size offerings and tested out new tech specs for this year’s class and graded every category from 1 to 100. The tally showed the 2020 Easton ADV Drop 11 rated out as the best USA Bats for 2020.
Important note: although listed as a drop 11, the bat swings as heavy as other drop 10’s on the market.
We have hit with every 2019 USA Bat. We think the best all-around bat is the 2019 DeMarini Voodoo Balanced.
The Voodoo rises to the top of our list due to its wide range of sizes. And, our hitters like the smooth smash on contact. It feels like the CF Zen prices out better and doesn’t have any severe durability issues. Performance is as good, if not better than any bat we tested.
The Voodoo rises to the top of our list due to its wide range of sizes (it comes in a drop 5 and has a 28-inch drop 10), and our hitters like the smooth smash on contact. We also love the aluminum barrel, and don’t worry about it getting broke or broke in. In all our testing years, never has anyone complained about the durability of a DeMarini Voodoo.
Also, the price point, at least compared to some bats, is attractive.
There are no real standouts in the 2019 USA class. Several have good exit speeds and feel good on contact.
We believe the bat recommendable across the board. Small, big, good, struggling, or any other type of hitter will like the 2019 USA DeMarini Voodoo.
We surveyed over 2,000 bat owners, 600 of which were USA 2019 bat owners and users. We measured what bat they use, how they like it, and what bat they consider to be the best. What follows is the insights we gained from this study.
In our survey, we found that DeMarini, Slugger, and Easton owned a similar amount of market share in the USA Space. But, unlike USSSA and BBCOR bats, the USA market had 4th and 5th place not far behind. Both Rawlings and Axe have considerable market share.
The outer ring of the chart below shows which brand bat owners thought was best. As an example, the majority of Easton owners though Easton was the best USA brand (not surprising). But, many of them also thought DeMarini was the best USA bat brand. It is one thing to understand that bat owners think their bat is best and quite another to know when bat owners think another USA brand is best.
In any event, there is a lot to gather from the chart below. Have at it.
The order by popularity brand goes like this:
Somehow Marucci, which didn’t even make a 2019 USA bat, made the list. This oversight is likely to user error as people don’t know in what league they are. (They do make a 2020 Marucci CAT, but this is a 2019 Survey completed before the release of the 2020 Marucci USA Cat).
There is virtually no surprise here. USA bat customers are not nearly as happy as USSSA or BBCOR folks. (Fastpitch, although not listed here, come back with an average score of 79). We can think of no other single metric we have yet to gather that is as telling as the general dissatisfaction USA players and parents are with their choices of bats.
Below ranks each of the bats by the different categories we asked in the survey. For USA bats, this comes from over 450 different USA players and parents. It is, as far as we know, the single largest collection of 2019 user ratings and rankings anywhere.
| Rank | Brand | Model | Yes, My Bat is Best | Popularity | Player Rank | Owner Happiness | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Easton | Ghost X Evolution | 57% | #2 | 75 | Price | |
| 2 | DeMarini | CF Zen | 57% | #1 | 67 | Price | |
| 3 | Louisville Slugger | 619 Solo | 33% | #6 | 75 | Price | |
| 4 | Rawlings | Quatro Pro | 64% | #3 | 82 | Price | |
| 5 | Easton | Ghost X Hyperlite | 47% | #9 | 61 | Price | |
| 6 | Louisville Slugger | 919 Prime | 77% | #9 | 81 | Price | |
| 7 | Easton | Beast Speed Hybrid | 36% | #12 | 65 | Price | |
| 8 | Easton | Beast X Hyperlite | 18% | #12 | 74 | Price | |
| 9 | DeMarini | Voodoo One | 13% | #21 | 85 | Price | |
| 10 | Axe | Origin | 33% | #21 | 73 | Price |
*Rank: The bats are ordered based on their popularity.
*Player Rank: Player rank adds up how many self described USA players or parents think a certain bat is the best.
*Owner Happiness: Players were asked how happy they were about their bat purchase on a scale from 0 to 100.
*Popularity: How many players claimed to use this bat.
*Yes, My Bat is Best: How many players claimed the 'best bat' was also the bat they used.
We hit with every 2018 USA Little League baseball bat on the market.
The Best USA Bat? Although it swings heavy.
Price Check: Amazon
The Beast X Hybrid had our best exit speeds, felt fantastic on hits and mishits, and has a considerable barrel profile. However, it’s swing weight was more like a drop 8 than a drop 10.
Were you looking for all our best youth bats?
If you need/want something that swings more faithful to the drop 10, the best USA Bat in 2018 is the 618 Solo.
Easily, the best rated USA bat user wide, the 618 solo is just what the market needed. A well-priced bat with a good feel, big barrel, and a light swing. People wanted to love this bat, and they did.
Best 2018 USA Bats | |||
| Rank | Bat | Price | Review |
| 1 | Easton Beast X Hybrid | $$ | Here |
| 2 | Slugger 618 Solo | $$ | Here |
| 3 | DeMarini CF Zen | $$$ | Here |
| 4 | Slugger 718 Solo | $$ | Here |
| 5 | Rawlings Quatro | $$$ | Here |
| 6 | Axe Elite Hyperwhip | $$ | Here |
But Doesn’t the Easton Beast X Hybrid bat swing heavy?
Although this bat swings heavy (and should be probably be categorized as a drop 9), we like the bat’s price point, size offerings, and hot out of the wrapper performance. It is also helpful the bat is at the top of the rankings for largest barrel sizes and ball exit speeds.
See Also:
Why?
USA bats are the new standard by which many youth baseball organizations abide starting 1/1/2018. These bats use a performance standard different than USSSA or 1.15 BPF bats. Although more like BBCOR bats, which are used in the high school and collegiate space, these USA baseball bats use a more prominent drop (or lighter swing weight) to allow younger players success. You can read more about the reasons behind the change in our USA Bats article.
Want the Full Review?
See our 2018 Easton Hybrid Beast X Review
Deciding the best USA Bat for 2018 is the most challenging ranking process we have yet to endeavor. With virtually zero player feedback on previous models or any prior year standards to measure it against, we feel a bit like we are shooting in the dark.
However, as we put each USA baseball bat to use among several different players over several weeks, we kept going back to the Easton Beast X Hybrid. Younger players loved the feel of the two-piece bat. This bat, we should note, also felt like the Rawlings Quatro, Easton Ghost X, and Mizuno Ghost, but each of those bats came at a considerable price increase.
We also found the barrel size on the Beast X Hybrid remarkably large for an aluminum barrel. Most aluminum bats have barrel sizes noticeably smaller than their composite peers. The Beast X, however, ranks right among the most enormous barrels in the entire USA baseball bat class.
The definitive factor for ranking the Beast X Hybrid at the top of our list was the results of our Rapsodo exit speed testing. The Beast X Hybrid hit the ball considerably faster during game conditions when compared to other bats in the class.
For many players?
Simply, no.
Bat performance standards in baseball bats have narrowed the performance gap considerably, and as such, the feel of a bat becomes much more a conversation point than the actual performance.
That said, the early feedback on the Beast X has been remarkable.
Are there USABat Break-In Problems?
One concern we raised in our hottest bats testing is the lack of performance within the USA composite bats. We wondered out loud—and will here too—whether USABats with composite barrels require more break-in when compared to BBCOR and USSSA composite barrels. Early evidence and reports suggest they do. But, we know for sure, aluminum barrels tended to outperform the composite ones in the USABat space out of the wrapper.
Whether that phenomenon is a limitation of composite and the USABat standard, or something more simple like requiring a stronger work in, is yet to be seen. (We did work the USA Bat composites the requisite 250+ times before testing). As of this writing, we are confident the Beast X Hybrid hits the ball harder, although not by much, than any composite USA Bat barrel on the market.
Determining recommendations on bats forces our thinking into both a quantitative and qualitative section. The qualitative part is generally more subjective, including principles like feel on mishits, where the balance falls on the bat, and the general confidence the bat, its brand, and design inspire at the plate.
Quantitative data requires a more objective approach. It includes characteristics that we can measure, such as the actual swing weight, the bat’s actual weight versus its stated weight, the ball exit speed during game conditions, and the max barrel length of the bat.
We use both the quantitative and qualitative approaches in our rubric for ranking the best USABats. It is similar to how we determine every one of our best bats.
Want the full review?
Our first impressions of the CF Zen are in its feel. The bat is an ultra excellent swing on hits and mishits and our clear favorite in terms of the best feeling at contact. Exit speeds were lovely, and they led the composite space in exit speed.
The swing weight on the bat is accurate to the drop 10 form and lands right in the wheelhouse of a balanced bat. We do wish the barrel profile was more extensive than it is, as the profile is the smallest of all the $299+ bats on the market. But, we don’t value the barrel profile as much as others.
We wish the bat came in a 29-inch option and, in no small measure, is the reason we think it not the best USA Bat for 2018. But, in terms of the two-piece composite space, we, REALLY, liked it.
Price check the Rawlings Quatro
Want the full Review?
See our full Rawlings USABat Quatro Review
In the first year of the USA Bat standard, you cannot expect more from a two-piece composite bat. The Rawlings Quatro is a super smooth mash with a big barrel and right balance. We have no reason to think anyone with the bat will be disappointed.
The only thing we found better in the Beast X was the exit speed. And in terms of statistical significance, that was a marginal win for the Beast X. The Quatro has a lighter swing weight and a bigger barrel. It also has a higher price point.
Among the two piece composite USABats for the 2018 year, we would have the hardest time passing up the Rawlings Quatro—assuming, of course, we were looking for a drop 10.
Price check the Easton Ghost X
Want the full Review?
See our full Easton USABat Ghost X Review
In short, ugh. The 2018 Easton Ghost X misses the mark for us. We didn’t like how it felt on either hits or mishits. We’ve yet to find a player in the industry who wanted this thing over smoother feeling bats like the Quatro or CF Zen. Many even preferred the single-piece aluminum 618 or 619 Solo regardless of the price too.
It does have to go for it a big barrel. The Easton Ghost X has the most giant barrel in the USABat space for 2018—and considering the bat’s balance, such a barrel size is a remarkable feat.
As well, and of serious note, Easton has the largest selection of sizes, drops, and lengths in the Ghost X (drop 10, drop 8, drop 5) when compared to any other model in the space. For that reason alone, we expect it to be the best selling 2018 USA baseball bat.
Want the full Review?
See our 2018 Axe Elite Review
Our love for Axe bats runs deep—some might argue a little too deep. Regardless of our soft spot, we like the two-piece Elite in the USABat a lot. It comes in a drop 5 and serves the big-hitting older kid that does not want a BBCOR bat in their hands this year. In other words, imagine the ability to take a drop 5 to the plate in those leagues that just last year required BBCOR.
We like the idea of a hybrid bat in the USABat space. The concern of barrel performance and work in disappear with a hot out of the wrapper aluminum. And the two-piece design gives a lot of kids enough confidence to swing hard every time. If you want a USA Bat drop 5 that uses hot out of the wrapper aluminum, then your only options are the Elite and the Beast X. Either is a legit choice.
Want the full Review?
See our 2018 Mizuno Ghost Review
The Ghost from Mizuno drives a real, unique story. This is far and away, Mizuno’s most serious push into the Little League space, and a unique bat of 2018. Unlike Easton, Rawlings, or Wilson (DeMarini/Slugger), who have a proven two-piece composite to build on, Mizuno offers this ring-tech bat in the USA Bat space, and to say the least, it is a significant splash in a pretty crowded pool.
To stand out, Mizuno has the BIGGEST barrel in the space. It even dwarfs the Easton Ghost X, which puts the other bats in the area to shame. The Ghost uses a ring technology in the bat to expand its sweet spot. It sounds different than any other bat on the market.
If you are up for a different stroke in a competitive field, we would recommend the Ghost from Mizuno. Its barrel size is unrivaled. And our exit speed tests put the Ghost right there with all the other two-piece composite bats.
Want the full Review?
See our 2018 Slugger 618 Review
We would not be surprised if, in five years from now, you were to tell us that aluminum bats ruled the day with the new USA baseball bat standard. Much like BBCOR bats are governed by aluminum barrels at the highest level of the sport, metal bats in the USABat standard (a restrictive measure for sure) might make more sense in terms of performance in the long run. We could be wrong, but would not be surprised if aluminum is king.
And such a winning bat in five years from now might look a heck of a lot like the 2018 Louisville Slugger 618 Solo. A single piece aluminum with honest feedback, a light swing, and a focus on bat speed might be just the ticket for the happiest players in the little league bat space. Add another hundred bucks or so in your pocket, and both player and parent win.
We answer most of these questions in our USABats article. Check there for the full story.
Players in leagues that require the new USABat standard will need to use bats with the USABat stamp. The stamp indicates the bat has passed its performance restrictions. Those restrictions include a particular trampoline effect akin to BBCOR and less than USSSA 1.15 standards. It improves the size of the barrel to a 2 5/8 from the previous 2 1/4.
Many leagues have agreed to use the new USABat standard. They include Little League International and many of its affiliates. Including, but not limited to, Cal Ripken, Dixie Youth, Pony, and at least a few more. Check with your local league to see if they are adopting the new standard.
This continues to be a question in many people’s minds—and one we have yet to find a great answer for.
Ultimately, USA Baseball felt the Little League game was wrought with too much offense. Insomuch the game was morphing into something different than what they had envisioned. A restriction on bats would limit the offense, force the game to become more defensive and give players a chance to focus on skills outside of hitting home runs. We find this mostly hard to believe, but there it is nonetheless.
Safety is another issue many have brought up, but USA baseball denies this as a reason for the change. And, yes, we are stretching for an answer here.
USABats first went on sale in September of 2017. The leagues adopting the new bats’ rules require them for play starting January 1st, 2018.
Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest participate in affiliate marketing programs including but not limited to Amazon and eBay. We most likely earn a comission from companies we link to on this site.
© 2020. Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest Company.
We’ve finally got around to updating our comments section! So, feel free to chime in. This article is read hundreds of times a week and should generate some good discussion. As always, be civil, nice, and assume the best I people.
you have the wrong picture up for the easton beast x hybrid
Why yes we do. Thanks for the catch. Changing now.
The new USA bat change rules boil down to one thing, more money for the bat companies! I’m sure in a few years it will change again, so everyone has to run out and buy a new $200-$350 bat! What a joke!
These bats all suck and it is a ripoff to sell more bats. What a joke. Use a wood bat. Better pop and cheaper.
Looking for advice on what bat or what other options for improving upper body strength & therefore better success with every swing
Do you know what the little league rules are for wooden bats? Do they need a USA stamp?
Full single piece wood bats do not need the USA stamp. But composite wood bats do.
Living in the PNW, is there a base temperature that you can use these bats in- sometimes it could be 45degrees out and we are playing a baseball game- what’s the temp range, or is denting because it’s too cold even an issue any more?? thanks
https://batdigest.com/best-bats/hit-composite-bat-cold-weather/
That should help you a bit in this regard. The real issue is the temperature of the baseballs and softballs, not the bats. There is no set number, but most manufacturers suggest less than 60 degrees.
We are new to little league and I am amazed of how high a bat can cost…I will never pay that price for a child sport. They can play neighborhood games…
Brenda,
Most town leagues have team bats available to use. As with golf clubs, tennis racquets, hockey equipment, football helmets, and many other sports – you can buy sufficient equipment for reasonable prices – or – you can spend like there’s no tomorrow on the best tech money can buy. No need to keep your child out of a sport they may like…. and don’t forget that there’s some gently used equipment on eBay too. Good luck.
I don’t see the Louieville slugger 718 in your report. Did it not make your cut. We used the beast all season and what a great bat it was but for allstars we purchased the 718 and the bat is everything I read it would be. Try it out you won’t be unhappy
It showed up late to the game this year so never made it to our big testing day. But, we will have the 719 when it comes out here soon. thanks!
Hi there. I’m looking for bat advice for a 12U player who’s 5’3″ and weighs ~90 pounds. His travel team employs the USA standard. He’s been training with a wood bat during the winter (30″, 24oz) but now we need to buy a bat for the season. His coaches have suggested a 31″, -8 bat given how he’s swinging the bat. Most reviews we see out there are for -10 and -11 bats. He’s a contact hitter that rarely strikes out, so looking for a bat that performs consistently and can provide any extra power. He’s had a composite bat the last 2 seasons but isn’t necessarily committed to the 2-piece. Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Jason,
Thanks for the question. The drop 8’s follow the drop 10s pretty well in terms of barrel performance. The only difference is they add some weight towards the end cap—so there isn’t much change in the actual barrel. But, in a drop 8, you get more durability with the same performing barrel as the drop 10s. In fact, most drop 10s and 8s have the same barrel–it’s just a function of weight distribution.
As such, we really like the CF for USSSA in a drop 8. It helps a ton with durability issues too. I know it sounds cliche to go with the DeMarini CF, but in USSSA, it really is the king of the hill. If you want to get away from the two-piece composite market, we’d say something like the USSSA CAT 9 Connect or CAT 9. You can also check out something new like the Victus Vandal.
My son is in 7-8u coach pitch and we are looking for a two piece composite bat for him. He is 4’2” 62lbs. What size would fit him best and what bat should we get him. We been looking at the USA Easton adv 360 -11 but not for sure if that would be the right choice. Can you help point us in the right direction on a USA bat. Thanks you
Derek,
For that age, we really like the 27/15 or 27/16. We also are big, big fans of the drop 11 ADV. However, at that age, it’s very difficult for players to generate the kind of bat speed that really engages the barrel. They also rarely see the kind of pitch speed that can benefit from a top-notch barrel. In other words, at 7/8 we think finding the right bat weight in a less expensive bat like the Marucci F5 or Easton Speed series might be a better fit for now. Save those dollars towards hitting lessons, a sweet bat bag, or a nicer leather glove he can start working in for that 9/10U season when bats really start to matter more.
Hope that helps!
Looking for a USA bat for 7 yr old, 4′, 68lbs. Swings a 27″ but chokes it a little. Don’t see a ton of 27″ drop 11 or 12. Thoughts?
James,
The good news here is that most 7-year-old players and pitchers can’t generate the type of collision speeds that make it, so the bat’s barrel matters. They are subject to the same speed tests that see 65+ pitches and 65+ swings. As a result, the small guys seeing 30mph at the plate and swinging 30mph don’t really engage the barrel.
That’s good news because it means the model/brand you buy doesn’t really matter in scientific performance. There may be some psychological advantages kids have from believing they have the best bat.
That said, We’ve always liked the F5 in a drop 11.5 from Marucci. At under $100, it’s as legit a bat you’ll find for that age. The other high-end option is the Easton Ghost X Hyperlite, but we’d struggle to pay that much for a 7-year-olds bat who will use for max, 30, or 40 games and then be done with it. Those things are cheap on the secondary market for a reason.
Thanks.
My 7-year-old son plays in PONY, so USA bat standard. He swings the Slugger Omaha 27/17 really well. Drives the ball to center field for doubles more times than not. The heavy swing weight probably helps him with that. Where do we go from there? Omaha in 28, or do you recommend a “better bat” with the same swing weight? I don’t mind spending a little more for a bat. I just don’t want to “mess with his swing” if it ain’t broke.
Randy,
We agree with the if it ain’t broke don’t fix it mentality. So much so that we even suggest he stick with the 27/17. On our bat size chart, most 7 and 8-year-olds are plenty happy with a bat that weighs 17 ounces.
At some point, pitch speeds increase enough that a single piece bat will not be what he wants (or needs). That usually happens around the 9/10-year-old mark depending on his competition. Until then, we say save your money (because you’re going to need it to buy that two-piece composite when he’s 10) and have fun with the Omaha in a 27/17 while you still can.
I have a 9 year old looking for a USA bat. I have heard that two piece bats are the way to go but I also prefer an Alloy bat. I am looking at the Cat 9 Connect USA bat and maybe the Demarini Voodoo. Both are two pieces with an Alloy barrel. Also we are in Massachusetts so the begining of the season is rather chilly. Any advice.
Hey Pete,
Thanks for the question. Unless we are misunderstanding something, the CAT 9 Connect doesn’t come in a USA version. Marucci’s USA Bat is called the CAT Composite and that is a single-piece bat.
We think most younger kids in USA baseball prefer the feel of two-piece bats. It’s nicer on the hands-on mishits and gives a better perception of performance. There isn’t anything in terms of ball flight that is different between the two. That said, we’ve seen a lot of kids with single-piece bats at 9U do just fine.
Our suggestion would be a hybrid bat like Easton’s Beast Speed Hybrid, Slugger’s 719 or 2020 Select, or DeMarini’s Voodoo Balanced. If we had to choose between those three we’d likely choose the 719 Select in a drop 10 due to its discounted price at the moment. The 719 Select will give you the aluminum barrel you want for cold weather and that two-piece feel. So, the best of both worlds.
Hope that helps and good luck.
The Cat Connect USA must be pretty new then. Its on the Marucci website https://maruccisports.com/cat-connect-senior-league-usa-11/….I would love to find out what you guys think of it.
Pete,
Wow. Thanks for this. We generally feel like we’re in the know on these things. But, all be danged. There it is. We’ll get one of these in house and check it out. Thanks for the heads up.
hello looking for a good bat for my 12 year old son. plays Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken league that requires the USA Bat Certification. he really like the Victus Vandal, but not sure that is the best bat. thoughts?
Terry,
Lots of decent bats in the USA. Our favorite is the drop 11 ADV 360. Our exit speed tests showed to have top-end performance. Although it says it is a drop 11, it swings like a balanced drop 10. In fact, depending on the size, it likely swings with the same swing weight as a drop 10 Victus Vandal. Knowing nothing more than you’ve said above, we’d go for a 32/21 ADV 360 from Easton in USA.
We’ve found that youth level players really prefer the feel of a two-piece bat. The Victus Vandal isn’t bad. But, in terms of the best feel and performance, we’ll think he’ll get that in the ADV drop 11. If that bat is not big enough, then you can get away with a drop 8. However, the Vandal doesn’t come in a drop 8 USA. If that is the case, we suggest the Easton Beast Pro in a drop 8. Something like the 31/23 or 30/22 should be a pretty good fit and swing.
I hope that helps get you started, and thanks for reaching out.
First of all… thank you very much for all the information on your site. It’s incredibly helpful. My 12 year old swings a Demarini Voodoo 30 inch drop 10. His hitting coach is saying the bat getting on the short and light side. So as follow-up I was thinking to get Easton Adv 360 31 inch drop 8. But I really have no clue if this is the right way to go. I have no baseball history myself… and on this side of the world (Europe) it’s a little difficult to get good info and help.
Hey Roemer,
Always good to hear our internet connection is working across the pond. Thanks for reaching out.
I’m assuming you’re talking about USA certification bats since those sizes match up there. If you are playing a USSSA league (though most international youth baseball leagues, I think, use USA certified bats), then disregard.
The jump from a 30/20 to a 31/23 is significant. That’s not to say your boy can’t make it. But, if the bat is just marginally short and light, he might find the jump to the drop 8 32 a bit much. Our hunch is you’d likely do better with the drop 8 in a 30-inch.
Better yet, the average 12-year-old swings a 31/21. So, if he’s relatively good for his age, then go for a 32/22. If he’s good, then go for a 31/21.
In terms of the right model bat, we are big fans of the ADV 360 drop 11. It is made from a different material than the drop 10, so it does perform differently (and we think better). So, a 32/21 ADV drop 11 would be our best bet for him. If those price points don’t sound reasonable, then a 31/21 in a Louisville Slugger 719 Select would be the ticket.
I hope that helps, and thanks for reaching out!
Hey Brian,
Thanks a lot for the information. You are right… all leagues here until the age of 17 are USA Baseball.
It looks like that is will be difficult to get a 31/21 ADV to Europe, most vendors just don’t send directly across the pond.
So i think we will stick to the DeMarini Voodoo but then a… 32/22
Sounds good! Let us know how it goes.