Baseball lovers the world over know best what we mean when we say “the bat makes the player.” While attributing the success of a player to his bat may be an exaggeration, it is not a fully inaccurate statement. Even the best players will not perform well on a pitch if they are handling the ball with a terrible bat. For these reasons, baseball players need to carefully select their bat from the insane range of options to best fit them.
Comfort, power, consistency, durability, and performance are all key features to examine when buying a new bat. Our review aims to make your task an easier one by compiling the top-rated baseball bats on the market for 2023.
Best Bats 2023
1. Marucci CAT8 (-3) BBCOR
One of the oldest, most popular, and most trusted manufacturers of bats is Marucci and CAT8 is just another proof of this. After dominating the 2018 best bats charts, they are back again with an AZ105 alloy one-piece construction. It has extreme durability despite being one of the most balanced choices available. There are also thin barrel walls and an expanded sweet spot.
Specs
- AV2 anti-vibration Knob
- Two 5/8-inch barrel
- BBCOR stamp
- Ring-free multi-variable wall
- One-piece alloy
Pros
- Balanced precisely
- The sweet spot is large enough
- Vibration absorbing build
- Comfortable handle
- Exceptional control
- Affordable and durable
Cons
- Easy scratching
Price: View on Amazon
2. Marucci MCBC7 CAT7 BBCOR
MCBC7 is another Marucci model that is built for power. It is designed with a one-piece Az4x alloy that features a thick barrel profile and is more durable than most. Like most Marucci designs, it sports an AV2 vibration knob for a dampening system and swings quickly. It is very comfortable, meaning that the risks of hand or elbow injuries are reduced significantly.
Specs
- AV2 anti-vibration Knob
- Az4x alloy barrel (2nd gen)
- One-piece design
- Two 5/8-inch barrel
- BBCOR stamp
Pros
- Durable and comfortable
- Dampens vibrations
- Safe for beginner use
- Excellent power and speed
- Affordable
Cons
- No scratch-proofing
- Not a good option for better control
Price: View on Amazon
3. Marucci Posey28 Pro Metal (-3) BBCOR
Posey28 Pro has one thing going for it, which is its smoke-colour wood grain design. Despite combining the look of Buster’s Posey design with AZ105 high-strength alloy, it still has a very cheap price-tag. The pop is brilliant and it features no dead spots on an expanded sweet spot.
Specs
- Two 5/8-inch design
- Three length-weight ratios
- AV2 anti-vibration feature
- Woodgrain cosmetics
- Smoke-colour
- One-piece barrel alloy
- BBCOR certificate
Pros
- Ultra-durable
- Fine grip and fantastic control
- No vibration on impact
- Cheap option
- Superb in pro competitions
Cons
- Rattles after heavy use
Price: View on Amazon
4. Easton Beast X Speed BBCOR
Beast X is a monster, much like its name suggests. Its ATAC alloy construction makes it extremely strong and durable without increasing its weight. The handlebar has a 1.4mm Hyperskin to improve comfort and ease-of-use while swinging.
Specs
- BBCOR certified
- 4mm Hyperskin grip
- Advanced Thermal Alloy Construction barrel design
Pros
- Insane power
- Comfy and soft grip
- Affordable and strong
Cons
- Some vibrations get through
Price: View on Amazon
5. Easton BB17MK Mako Beast Comp 3 BBCOR
Another Easton product, BB17MK features a composite barrel that is 1.5-inches longer than the average. It is of the two-piece design and has a drop of -three. Mako Beast Comp 3 has excellent reviews because of its larger than average contact spot. Since it was released in 2023, you can be assured of the latest design in this model
Specs
- BBCOR stamp
- -three drop
- 5-inch extra length Thermo composite Barrel
- Two-piece barrel design
Pros
- Mako series design
- Cheapest
- Impressive durability
- Fast swing
- Incredible pop
Cons
- Not accepted in all local leagues
Price: View on Amazon
6. SAM BAT RB8
It is of Ryan Braun design, which means that it has one of the best outward looks of all 2023 bats. The barrel is constructed from Pro-Grade Maple and is just over 2.5-inch long. Its handle is 15/16-inch in length to go with a light padding for comfort.
Specs
- 6-pounds
- Medium flared knob
- 53-inch barrel with a 15/16-inch handle
- Brown Maple-wood construction (pro-grade)
Pros
- Superb look
- Brilliant pop
- Designed by a pro
- The cheap but professional choice
Cons
- Not widely accepted in leagues
- Low-tech look
Price: View on Amazon
7. Easton Ghost X Evolution (-10)
Ghost X Evolution is another superb 2023 design from Easton. It balances fantastically speed with balance, and pop in a two-piece composite constructed barrel. Ghost X evolution has Nitrocell foam together with an all-new Speed Cap to offer more responsiveness and flexibility. While it has approval for use in most leagues, it is made to USA baseball standards.
Specs
- Two 5/8-inch design
- USA stamp
- Two-piece barrel
- Carbon composite construction
- Custom LizardSkin skin
Pros
- Responsive and versatile
- Resounding pop
- Lightweight and compact
- Superb balance
Cons
- LizardSkin has low grip
Price: View on Amazon
8. Easton Ghost X Hyperlite
Hyperlite is a variant of Ghost X that is made for youth baseball leagues. It is not too different from X Evolution except being one-piece in construction and sporting a 1.4mm hyper skin grip. Hyperlite is also more comfortable in use while having even more durability to its build.
Specs
- 4mm hyper skin grip
- Two 5/8-inch barrel
- Ultra-thin carbon handle
- -11 weight to length ratio
- One-piece alloy design
Pros
- Lightweight
- Cheap
- An ideal choice for kids
- Durable and comfortable in use
Cons
- Not the best balance
- Lacks some power
Price: View on Amazon
9. Marucci CAT7 (-3) BBCOR
The length to weight ratio sits at -3, making it one of the most balanced bats on the market. The barrel profile is thick to allow for faster swings and a lack of dead spots increases performance.
Specs
- AV2 anti-vibration
- Two 5/8-inch barrel
- Drop 3 length to weight ratio
- Ring-free construction
Pros
- Incredible power
- Reasonable price
- Pop is ridiculous
- Big barrel
- BBCOR certification
- Eliminates vibrations
Cons
- Slippery grip
- Scratches accumulate quickly
Price: View on Amazon
10. RAWlings Quatro Pro (-10) USA
There is a larger sweet spot, vibration dampening technology, lightweight, and fantastic durability.
Specs
- Reassembled collar flex
- Two 5/8-inch barrel design
- USA stamp
Pros
- The sweet spot is bigger
- Insane bat swing speed
- Sounds like a wooden one
- Improved pop
- Vibration dampening
Cons
- Lacks durability
- Some vibrations
Price: View on Amazon