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

1

2022 DeMarini CF

CF Ratings

Why We Love the 2022 CF

This is the first year in a long time we’ve not ranked the Easton ADV 360 as the best USA Bat. But, it turns out, 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 2023 DeMarini CF in a drop 10 is the best USA Bat around for 2023.

3

2023 Easton ADV 360

ADV 360 Ratings

Why We Love the 2023 ADV 360

We like the 2023 Easton ADV 360 in a drop 11 because we like the CF. It’s a big barrel, light swing, and feels excellent on every hit, just what every little kid needs. Its drawback is probably more of a marketing issue than any performance one, as players don’t tend to lean toward it as they once did. It follows that the player feedback isn’t as stellar simply because we think people’s expectations are high, and they’re met with, no matter how you slice it, a USA bat. In the end, the bat is the best drop 11, even if people aren’t jacked out of their minds to swig it. It has a huge barrel, swings light, and can hit the ball hard.

2

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.

4

2022 Easton Maxum Ultra

Maxum Ultra Ratings

Why We Love the 2022 Maxum Ultra

If you want a new 2022 USA bat and are concerned about the durability of the Easton ADV, then check out Easton’s lesser-known but seriously hot Easton Maxum. This single-piece composite has more give in it than traditional single-piece alloy but the massive barrel and light swing give it the most plate coverage per swing weight in the 2022 class. If you want a single piece but something with a bit more pizazz than an alloy Solo we suggest the 2022 Maxum in a drop 10.

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.

6

2020 Louisville Slugger Select

Select Ratings

Why We Love the 2020 Select

There aren’t many options to pick from in the drop 5 USA bat space. That should not take away from our favorite: the Louisville Slugger Select drop 5 for 2020. They did NOT reproduce this bat for 2021 as COVID threw a wrench in everything. However, you can find this bat in most major retailers—although the drop 5 version is harder to come by somedays. The aluminum barrel of the Select is a great fit for a big-hitting USA bat. It is hot out of the wrapper, doesn’t require a break-in period, feels as good as a bat-like the META, and you don’t have to worry too much about durability issues. The bat is a definite drop 5 and swings on the balanced+ size–so make sure you can handle it before you go all in. If you are looking for the best drop 5 USA bat, then the Select serves a great price point, good-sized barrel profile, and can absolutely rake if you can barrel it up.

8

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.

7

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.

9

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.

10

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.

11

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.