While testing all of the BBCOR bats for 2018, I came across a new bat this year that really impressed us. The Marucci F5 is a one-piece alloy BBCOR bat priced at a very low $149.99. I didn't expect too much out of this bat because of the low price point, but once I started swinging it my opinion instantly changed. Let's take a look at what I found.
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| I would classify this bat as having a mid-load to fairly balanced feel. The grip is really tacky and has a nice flare at the knob, both of which I liked. The next thing I noticed is the length of the barrel. It seemed short to me so I compared it to comparable one-piece alloys. My assumption was correct, with the F5 having a 6.5" long barrel it was noticeably shorter than the competition. |
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| Next, it was time to see how it swings. This is where the F5 surprised me! I felt like I was generating tons of bat speed with this bat. I decided to test the ball exit speeds off a tee. I put it up against the Beast X Speed, Omaha 518, and Solo 618. All one piece alloys with great reputations. I was getting an average of 90-91mph with these bats. Then I tested the F5 and saw an average of 93-94mph exit speed! The barrel of the F5 outperformed these more expensive, great performing bats. |
What I concluded from this test is that the Marucci F5 is probably the best bang for your buck when it comes to a BBCOR bat. The barrel performance off a tee is incredible when compared to more expensive bats. It's not the most balanced bat and certainly does not have the longest barrel so it may not be as forgiving as others on miss-hits. I also can't attest to the longevity/durability of this bat yet. But, based on barrel performance alone, $149.99 is an absolute steal for the Marucci F5.