Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.
Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.
By Bat Digest | Last Updated June 14, 2022
For 2020 Rawlings makes an updated Quatro Pro Fastpitch. We took that bat for a spin in the cage, off the tee, measured exit speeds and got a legitimate real swing weight. That information, plus our testing of all 2020 performance fastpitch bats, builds this 2020 Rawlings Quatro Pro Fastpitch Review.
Our hitters generally liked the performance of the Rawlings Quatro Pro performance fastpitch bat. It swung real balanced, felt like it had a lot of pop and felt relatively stiff through contact when compared to the other 2020 fastpitch bats. It did not feel much different than the 2019 version of the bat, but it did hit well and comes recommended especially by our bigger hitter who chose it as their 2nd favorite.
We really like the drop 11 with its numerious sizing options. Those with a need for a real light swing and are not interested in trying out the LXT or DeMarini CF should be impressed with the 2020 Quatro Pro in fastpitch.
In terms of exit speed, the Rawlings Quatro Pro fastpitch bat did well, above average, for our middle and bigger hitter. The smaller hitter (sub 60mph bat speed) struggled to make it sing off the tee. But, each of our hitters liked the feel at contact on live pitches as well as the looks of the sleek 2020 Quatro Pro fastpitch bat.
Do note, there is a Rawlings Quatro Pro Fastpitch End Load fastpitch bat too. This bat comes in a drop 9 and 10. The drop 10 has a swing weight much more in line with Easton’s Double Barrel Ghost (which is heavy). The Quatro Pro End Load is made for big collegiate type hitters looking for the most bang they can get.
In the middle of the road swing weight bats with a two piece composite design and big barrel your options feel endless. We think the DeMarini Prism and Mizuno Power Carbon are good comparisons in terms of swing weight. The connection point is more stiff, at least our hitters thought so. It feels more like the new Slugger RXT in its give on hits and mishits.
Compared to the 2019 version of the Quatro in fastpitch the 2020 Quatro pro has a redesigned end cap to help bring down the swing weight and a new Lizard Skin grip that comes stock. Otherwise, expect the same suspended inner barrel system with a focused flex connective piece. Durability, not much an issue with the Quatro Pro fastpitch, should be reasonable.
The Rawlings Quatro Pro Fastpitch bat uses a suspended inner barrel that helps keep the bat from overstepping the limit in the middle of the barrel and drives higher pop on the towards the end cap and handle. Using a suspended inner barrel is not new in the fastpitch industry—the likes of Slugger’s LXT or Easton’s Double Barrel do similar things.
On the outside, the barrel is a composite material built for durability and size. The inner and outer barrel work together to create legitiamte pop along the full length of the barrel, increase durability and maintain an legally performing bat.
Also, Rawlings uses the “Focused Flex” connection piece. It is, basically, a silicone collar that connects the barrel and handle. The idea behind it is to keep enough stiffness in the bat to be effective yet dampen the sting in the handle when the ball isn’t hit squarely. It does work—as has been proven in their baseball bat Quatro that uses a similar design.
New for 2020 is the agreement Rawlings has with Lizard Skin to provide stock, custom Lizard Skin grips on each Quatro Pro fresh out of the wrapper.
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.
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.
© 2023. Just Bat Reviews, LLC DBA Bat Digest Company.