11 Best USA Bats we hit the FARTHEST (2023/2022)

12

2021 Rawlings 5150

5150 Ratings

Why We Love the 2021 5150

There aren’t many options to pick from in the drop 5 USA bat space. That should not detract from our favorite:  the Rawlings 5150 drop 5 for 2021. You can find this bat in most significant retailers—although the drop 5 version is harder to come by some days. This is a single-piece alloy bat with a good-sized barrel, and heavier swing and if you can barrel it expect great things to happen.

3

2021 Marucci Cat Connect

Cat Connect Ratings

Why We Love the 2021 Cat Connect

We are fans of the CAT Connect in USA for a few reasons. First, it’s a reasonable price for a bat with good tech. A two-piece bat for less than $250 brand new is worth considering. Second, the bat feels excellent on hits and mishits. This helps younger hitters have confidence. And finally, the bat swings light, and although it’s barrel profile is smaller than we’d like to see, it gets excellent ratings across the board.

2

2022 DeMarini CF

CF Ratings

Why We Love the 2022 CF

Even though this is a 2022 bat, we think it is a best bat for the 2023 USA. The CF has proven its worth. The thing is relatively durable, hits the ball well, feels great, has a big barrel, and swings lightly—all the things kid players like. The drawback is that it isn’t cheap. We continue to be fans of the ADV 360. USA bats all perform pretty similarly (in terms of exit speeds). Still, considering feel, availability, and overall experience, we think the 2022 (for 2023) DeMarini CF in a drop 10 is a fantastic choice.

1

2023 Easton ADV 360

ADV 360 Ratings

Why We Love the 2023 ADV 360

It’s back on top. As much as we tried liking other USA bats over the ADV 360, we just can’t. This is the top of the class, again. We like the ADV 360 a lot in a drop 10 and 8 and so do a lot of hitters. The original version of the bat, from 2019 or so, had some durability issues, and that complaint has put the ADV 360 USA line at a disadvantage in the collective psyche. But, still, the bat for 2023 hits the ball and feels as good as any 2023 USA bat out there. This is it if you’ve got the money and want to get what many consider the best for 2023.

5

2019 Louisville Slugger Solo

Solo Ratings

Why We Love the 2019 Solo

The exit speed performance on the 2020 Louisville Slugger Solo is as good as any USA bat on the market—including the #1 ranked ADV 360. The bat has a great price point (we saw it for under $60 at the time of this writing, and plenty of inventory is left). The bat has a good-sized barrel and, although a drop 11, swings more in line with the drop 10 world. If you want a reasonable bat with good to great performance and a decent-sized sweet spot, this is the win. The downfalls to the bat are its sting on mishit balls. This tends only to happen when you see higher pitch speeds. So, if you’re in the market for a 31 or 32-inch bat, it might not be the best feel. But, if you’re in small leagues that don’t throw too hard yet (let’s say, faster than 45mph), then the SOLO could be a big win. The fact it is a fraction of the cost of other bats on this list is enough reason to consider it alone. If you want to jump to the newer 2020 version then be our guests. The 2020 is the same as the 2019 and since the 2019 was considerably cheaper even at verified vendors at the time of this writing that is our recommendation.

4

2022 Easton ADV 360

ADV 360 Ratings

Why We Love the 2022 ADV 360

Although there are plenty of great, less expensive options, if you want the creme de la creme of USA bats for 2022, then the drop 10 USA Easton Ghost ADV is the winner, winner, chicken dinner. The bat has a fantastic feel, a huge barrel, and top-end exit speeds. Those who want the bat in the USA that feels the most like a USSSA bat should find a home for an ADV 360 drop 10 from 2022.

7

2021 Easton ADV 360

ADV 360 Ratings

Why We Love the 2021 ADV 360

USA Bats feel like they’ve come a long way since 2018, but then again, not really. The Easton ADV 360 Drop 11 is the best feeling bat out there. We’ve found the confidence in this bat gives little players a real chance to go after the ball, and, sometimes, that confidence is all they need. In fact, when we’ve gone head to head with the USA ADV 360 drop 11 and USSSA bats, most hitters can’t tell the difference. Contact sounds the same, and the bats feel the same. However, when we compare exit speeds, a USSSA bat still has 3 to 4mph more than the ADV drop 11.

8

2018 Rawlings Quatro

Quatro Ratings

Why We Love the 2018 Quatro

Although USA bats have been around for more than a few years, the 2018 Rawlings Quatro comes as close as any to that status. The bat still fetches good prices used in the secondary market and, for a time, was a must-have. The bat is a light swing, big barrel two-piece composite that felt like it packed a punch. It compares a lot to the ADV 360 drop 11. Both have durability issues, but both get top marks for exit speeds and feel.

Based on how USA bats have improved in feel and durability over the last couple of years we aren’t sure this bat is worth paying a premium for—unless you really want to go old school. We could not find the bat anywhere from a verified vendor so can’t imagine we could find one with a warranty. However, at the time of this writing, there were a few eBay options out there in the used market that if they had come down $50 or so we would think it was worth a try.

Our strike price for this bat would be under $120 in really good shape on eBay. But, good luck finding that deal.

6

2020 Easton ADV 360 Drop 11

ADV 360 Drop 11 Ratings

Why We Love the 2020 ADV 360 Drop 11

For 2020 the best USA Bat was (and is) the ADV drop 11 from Easton. This is the same bat as the 2021 version but with a different paint job. At the time of this writing, you could find the 2021 version for LESS than the 2020 version. That isn’t how it usually works, but the 2020 version was a hard find, and its aura is still leaving some wanting more.

Still, though, the bat is the same, and you should buy the one you can get with a warranty and for the lower price. At the time of this writing, that was the 2021 version by about $50.

The 2020 ADV 360 drop 11 (not to be confused with the drop 10) uses a unique composite in the Easton line, has a huge barrel, great swing weight, and is an absolute ball killer. The only problem is its durability. More than a few have complained of the bat’s connection piece or barrel breaking. So, be sure to buy it from a verified outlet that offers a valid receipt. If you don’t want to deal with durability issues, then look elsewhere.

9

2018 Easton Beast X Hybrid

Beast X Hybrid Ratings

Why We Love the 2018 Beast X Hybrid

Although a hefty swing, Easton came out really well in their first run at a USA Bat. The 2018 Easton Beast Hybrid is (was) a monster bat that could hit it as far as anything on the market for 2018 (and farther than most). Those looking for an old-school USA bat in the drop 8/5 space might really like the drop 10 Beast Hybrid. It has an intense swing weight.

At the beginning of the 2018 season—when USA bats were coming online—the swing weights were all over the place. The Easton Beast Hybrid was marketed as balanced, but it was not. The lack of conformity was expected in USA Bats inaugural year. By today’s standards, the 2018 Easton Beast Hybrid would be considered endloaded.

10

2019 Rawlings Threat

Threat Ratings

Why We Love the 2019 Threat

In full disclosure, we are not huge fans of the drop 12 Rawlings USA Threat. However, in the drop 12 space, every bat is tough to like. We dislike the threat the least amount—so it wins. We love its price point and durability. We also think most kids swinging it like how it looks and feel like they have something special.

But drop 12 bats struggle to impress anyone. They should be chosen strictly as a swing-weight play. That is, if you need an entry-level bat for a new, young or smaller player, then the Rawlings Threat is your best bet. Here, we’re thinking of a 6 through 8-year-old (and maybe 9) who needs a USA bat, a light swing, and isn’t seeing crazy pitch speeds. It’s a great starter rec type bat at a decent price in an older model (sub $60).

However, it lacks the punch to do any real damage for a skilled hitter. If you are playing travel ball, seeing any decent amount of pitch speeds, and/or can fit into a drop 10, then we suggest you look elsewhere. However, those that need a drop 12 this as good a value and bat as you’ll find anywhere in the USA Bat land.

Also, the Rawlings Threat USA has been released since 2018 but has not changed much. So, any year will do. The 2019 and 2018 are painted the same. The 2020 has an updated paint job.