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2018 Rawlings Quatro - BB8Q3
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OUR THOUGHTS:The 2018 Quatro feels slightly less end-loaded than last years model, which is an improvement in my opinion. It has a huge barrel and is probably the hottest composite BBCOR out of the wrapper. They improved the connection piece this year which is supposed to make it stronger and less likely to break. Upon contact, this bat has little to no flex and a nice crisp feel with a good amount of feedback for a multi-piece bat. For the power hitter, this bat is probably the best 100% composite choice if you can handle a little bit of an end-load. The 2018 Quatro is my #1 choice for a composite bat this year. |
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BALL EXIT SPEED TEST:back to top > |
2018 DeMarini Voodoo One - WTDXVOC-18
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OUR THOUGHTS:The 2018 Voodoo One is one of our favorite BBCOR bats. It is very balanced which allows for a ton of bat speed and makes this bat a great choice for any size player. It doesn't have the biggest barrel length, but when you catch it on the sweet spot this bat has a ton of pop. This bat has a great shape and feels great in your hands. Aside from the paint job, the only difference I can tell from last year is that the grip is noticeably thicker. For the player who likes a balanced alloy bat, the Voodoo One is hard to beat. |
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BALL EXIT SPEED TEST:
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2018 DeMarini Voodoo Balanced - WTDXVBC-18
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OUR THOUGHTS:This is a balanced version of popular DeMarini Voodoo. When you put it next to the Voodoo Insane, the difference is obvious. The Voodoo Balanced has a much smaller barrel, which is probably what makes it a more balanced bat. It has the classic 2-piece hybrid feel with a nice buttery feel on contact. I also noticed a small amount of flex in the handle upon making good contact. Overall I like this bat a lot and I think it's the most balanced BBCOR 2-piece hybrid bat on the market. |
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BALL EXIT SPEED TEST:
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2018 DeMarini Voodoo Insane End Load - WTDXVIC-18
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OUR THOUGHTS:This is one of the most end-loaded, heaviest swinging BBCOR bat on the market. This bat is for bigger players and power hitters. It has slight flex upon contact and feels amazing when you square it up. If you're strong enough to swing this bat you'll love it. It just powers right through the ball. One thing I can say about this bat, make sure it's not too heavy for you. This bat is probably best suited for college-level players who have developed a lot of strength. If you're in love with the design, be sure to try the balanced version too just to be sure this is the best choice. |
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2018 DeMarini CF ZEN Balanced - WTDXCBC-18
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OUR THOUGHTS:This is a pretty balanced bat. It feels good in your hands, but I didn't get much feedback on contact. I noticed a fair amount of flex on contact, but not as much as last years model. This bat seems to be most popular among younger players. I like the look of the new 3-Fusion connection piece and end cap. |
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2018 DeMarini CF Insane End Load - WTDXCIC-18
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OUR THOUGHTS:This bat is an end-loaded version of the CF ZEN. A 2-piece 100% composite bat designed for the power hitter. I did notice a fair amount of flex at ball contact, which is not really desirable for power most hitters. Aside from the flex, this bat feels great when you square it up. |
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2018 Marucci CAT7 - MCBC7
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OUR THOUGHTS:The Cat7 isn't new for 2018, but we reviewed it anyways since it's still in production from Marucci. One of the most popular one-piece alloy bats on the market, for good reason too. While this is not the most balanced BBCOR, it does have a huge forgiving barrel. It feels great in your hands, has great pop and sound. The huge barrel makes this thing really forgiving too. I recommend this bat for any and all players, big and small. Can't go wrong with this one, it definitely ranks in the top 3-4 BBCOR bats. |
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2018 Marucci F5 - MCBF5
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OUR THOUGHTS:The Marucci F5 is brand new for this year. As a low cost option, I was VERY impressed with the performance of this bat. It is very balanced and I was able to generate a ton of bat speed. Ball exit speed results were right up there with any other BBCOR bat we tested. It doesn't have a hige barrel, so may not be as forgiving as others, but when you catch it on the sweet spot the ball rockets off the barrel. As a 1-piece alloy, this bat is stiff enough for any power hitter. Time will tell how durable it is, but so far I love this bat in the 2018 BBCOR lineup. |
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2018 Marucci Posey 28 Pro Alloy - MCBF5
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OUR THOUGHTS:Aside from the cool wood like paint job, this bat looks, feels and performs just like the CAT7. Super balanced, forgiving and has a ton of pop. If you want something that looks a little different, give this bat a try. The performance will not dissapoint. |
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2018 Easton Ghost X - BB18GX
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OUR THOUGHTS:The Ghost X is new to the Easton lineup this year. It looks and feels just like the MAKO Beast from 2017. This has the most balanced feel of any 100% composite BBCOR this year. The barrel is also the longest out of all the composites, making it very forgiving. It has great pop and is easy to get around, making it a great choice for all players. Even though it's a 2-piece bat, I didn't notice any flex at ball contact which is something I like. This bat is in my top 2-3 choices for a composite BBCOR bat in 2018. |
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2018 Easton Beast X Speed - BB18BXS
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OUR THOUGHTS:The Beast X Speed is new to Easton this year. It's a 1-piece alloy bat that replaced the Z-CORE Speed from last year. Just like the Z-CORE, this is a great balanced bat with a big barrel and plenty of pop. I couldn't find any real difference in this bat from last years Z-CORE line. That said, the Beast X Speed is a great bat for any player and I expect it to be just as popular as the Z-CORE. |
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2018 Easton Beast X Hybrid - BB18BXH
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OUR THOUGHTS:This bat flexed more than any bat I tested this year, which is not something I'm a fan of but some people like it. I feel like flex at contact robs a little power from you. It has a slight end-load due to the hybrid composite handle and alloy barrel design and the barrel performance is right in line with the Beast X Speed bat. If you're looking for a hybrid 2-piece with a swing weight in-between the DeMarini Voodoo Balanced and Voodoo Insane, this bat is for you. |
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2018 Easton Beast X Loaded - BB18BXL
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OUR THOUGHTS:This is the end-loaded version of the Beast X Speed. If you're familiar with the Z-CORE line from last year, this bat performs just like the end-loaded Z-CORE. Big barrel, very forgiving, great pop and a substantial end-load. This bat would be best suited for the college level player who hits for power. |
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2018 Axe Origin - L132F
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OUR THOUGHTS:I love the Axe handle, but this bat was my least favorite out of the Axe Bat lineup. Mostly because it just feels really heavy. If you're on a budget, this is the lowest priced Axe BBCOR, but beware that it swings the heaviest out of all your Axe Bat choices. |
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2018 Axe Element - L137F
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OUR THOUGHTS:I liked this bat a lot. First thing I love is the Axe handle. It's comfortable and seems to help get the barrel through the zone a little quicker. The Element is made with a higher grade alloy than the cheaper Origin option, and you can definitely tell when you hear and feel the ball hit the sweet spot. Better pop and better sound with a slight end-load. This is my favorite 1-piece alloy option from Axe. Worth the upgrade from the Origin for sure. |
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2018 Axe Hyperwhip - L138F
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OUR THOUGHTS:The Hyperwhip Fusion is the balanced alloy bat from Axe. It is made from the same alloy as the Element and has great pop. It also has the longest barrel out of the Axe alloys. They call this a 2-piece because of the composite tip, but in the traditional way of looking at bats, it is a 1-piece. If you swing a balanced bat and like the Axe handle like I do, this bat is a great choice. |
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2018 Axe Elite - L130F
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OUR THOUGHTS:This is the 2-piece hybrid from Axe. It has good pop and a nice size barrel. It's slightly end-loaded and I only noticed a slight flex in the handle at ball contact. With barrel performance comparable to other hybrids, the handle is the biggest difference. So, if you like the Axe handle this is the obviouse choice for a hybrid. |
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2018 Louisville Slugger Prime 918 - WTLBBP918B3
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OUR THOUGHTS:Great balance and a nice feel on contact. This bat has been popular for the past 3 years. Slight flex upon contact and expect there to be a little bit of movment at the connection point eventually, although it's not supposed to effect the performance of the bat at all. This is a great bat as usual and will get will get better as it gets broken in. An extra bonus, this bat has a nice custom lizard skin on it. |
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2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 - WTLBBP618B3
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OUR THOUGHTS:This is my favorite 1-piece alloy bat this year. It's super balanced and has a ton of pop. This is the best choice for younger players new to BBCOR since it swings so light. If you like 1-piece alloy bats you have to try this one. Plus it includes a nice custom Lizard Skin grip! |
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2018 Louisville Slugger Select 718 - WTLBBP718B3
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OUR THOUGHTS:This is Louisville Sluggers version of a 2-piece hybrid bat. They brought it back after taking a year off production last year. It's fairly end-loaded and feels really nice on contact. I noticed minimal flex at contact and good pop out of the wrapper. This is in my top 2-3 choices for a hybrid BBCOR bat. Extra bonus, is includes a custom Lizard Skin! |
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BALL EXIT SPEED TEST:
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BARREL SIZE COMPARISONBiggest
Smallest*length measured from end-capback to top > |
ACTUAL SCALE WEIGHTSLightest
Heaviest*example: +1.2oz means it weighs 1.2oz more than it saysback to top > |
BALL EXIT SPEED RESULTSHIGHEST
LOWEST*AVG. = average of 20 swingsback to top > |
