What Is the Best Drop 5 Baseball Bat
Drop 5 Baseball Bats are essentially baseball bats whose weight is 5 oz. lighter than its length. Coaches will use this weight to help determine which bat is best to get the most out of a player's swing.
Over the years technology has greatly impacted the way the game baseball is played. Each year we see upgrades as well as new versions of baseball bats being introduced into the market.
Bats are no longer made of just wood, rather a whole range of new materials such as aluminum and these alloys have changed the look and feel of the baseball bat.
Strict regulations have been set in place regarding the type of bat that a player can use depending upon his/her age group.
To make an informed choice, it is pertinent that you should first measure yourself for a bat.
Choosing the right kind of material and a good quality solid bat is also very important.
However, with an increasing number of choices it is often difficult to pinpoint the best bat from a given lot.
Here we have shortlisted best drop 5 baseball bats based on careful evaluations and observations:
1) Marucci Cat8 Senior League Baseball Bat
Marucci is committed to players. It is a company founded and majority-owned by current and former Big Leaguers and is committed to giving players at all levels the tools they need to be successful.
From their Cat8 product line, the Drop 5 is a fully USSSA certified bat.
The Cat8 is made from an AZ105 alloy which is the strongest aluminum that is part of the Marucci bat product line. This aluminum allows for thinner barrels walls which will give a better response rate and have much better long term durability.
The thinner wall is far more forgiving when encountering off-center contact, but as the walls are variable thicknesses, it does create a larger sweet spot meaning your off-center contact is lessened.
The bats are made with a one-piece construction meaning you will have a much more consistent swing allowing for greater control over your hits.
The barrel is ring-free which helps to allow for more barrel flex and will give no dead spots in the bat.
The handle features a micro-perforated grip that has an incredibly soft touch with just a touch of extra tack to it to help improve control and tactile feel on the bat.
An anti-vibration knob on the end that has a dampening system built in to negate harsh vibrational feedback. This is one reason we really love this bat!
The Cat8 has a 2 ¾ inch barrel diameter and comes in 3 different Drop 5 lengths, 30 inches, 31 inches and 32 inches.
With the precision balance of this -5, it will feel lighter and more agile than a traditional Drop 5. This bat will perform within the high expectations you would have for a bat of this caliber.
2) DeMarini CF Zen 2 ¾ inch Diameter Baseball Bat
DeMarini is unique in that they still continue to manufacture their bats in the US and not abroad. The CF series of bats is one of their most commonly sold series of bats.
DeMarini uses what they call a Paraflex+ Composite which is cured for consistency using the perfect amount of time at the perfect temperature for a consistently responsive barrel. This curing gives a much-needed precision weight distribution.
The CF Zen uses a 3Fusion system on the handle, the barrel and the end cap. The handle is created for the ultimate in weight control and responsiveness feel.
The end cap optimizes that sweet spot, and as one of our best drop 5 bats listed here, helps to give that explosive pop sound and feel right down the barrel when it makes contact.
The new X-Lite knob is designed for that perfect fit in a hitter's hands and is designed to keep grip all the way through the swing.
The new knob is 25% lighter than the previous RCK knob.
The black and gold color scheme looks phenomenal and will make you feel like a king and DeMarini gives you 4 different lengths to choose from with this bat in the Drop 5 category, 30 inches, 31 inches, 32 and 33 inches.
3) EASTON ALPHA 360 -5 USA Baseball Bat
Easton claims the Alpha as the #1 bat in youth baseball. You can rest assured that Easton will provide the performance you are expecting from a bat in this position.
The Alpha is a one-piece construction that uses Easton's ATAC alloy which is a new thermal alloy construction to create a very powerful barrel. The balanced design provides you with more power at the point of contact.
This new allow, and the extended one-piece design gives the Beast X the longest aluminum barrel and so gives the biggest sweet spot for any bat.
The Alpha Drop 5 comes in three different lengths, the 30 inch, the 31 inch and the 32 inch and has a 2 ⅝ inch diameter to it.
The yellow and black color scheme makes the Alpha look great when next to other bats, and the big yellow barrel is the perfect location for that sweet spot hit!
4) Rawlings 5150 USA Baseball -5 Bat
Rawlings has been around since 1887 so pretty sure they know something about sports and their productions.
The 5150 is a durable single piece alloy bat that they refer to as their utility player type of bat.
The 5150 is made from an aerospace-grade 5150 alloy and is super responsive and durable. Each bat contains pOp 2.0 engineering to help create an enormous sweet spot to help drive the ball after contact.
These bats offer a 2 ⅝ inch barrel and are available in 30, 31 and 32-inch lengths.
5) DeMarini CF Zen 2 ⅝ inch Senior League Baseball Drop-5 Bat
Similar to the previous mentioned CF bat by DeMarini, the 2 ⅝ inch barrel bat offers a lot of the same features as the 2 ¾ in barrel version.
Both bats use the Paraflex composite construction, cured to consistency.
The 3Fusion system for weight control uses the handle, the barrel and end cap for the perfect balance. Each bat also has the X-Lite knob to handle vibration and provide a perfect grip.
The CF Zen 2 ⅝ inch barrel bat also comes in 4 different lengths, 30 inch, 31 inch, 32 and 33 inches.
6) DeMarini Voodoo 2 ⅝ balanced Senior League Baseball Bat
The Voodoo series of bats by DeMarini comes in several sizes like the CF Zen versions but do have some differences to them than the CF Zen.
The Voodoo uses a different material for construction the call X14 ultra-premium alloy. The barrel of this drop 5 bat is made using this alloy and uses the 3Fusion end cap to redirect energy from contact back into the barrel.
The handle is made using the Paraflex+ composite that helps to streamline the design and offer great weight distribution for that perfect feel upon contact.
This bat uses the RCK knob on the end which is ergonomically designed for a better fit in player's hands.
The Voodoo 2 ⅝ diameter bat is available in four lengths, 30 inch, 31 inch, 32 and 33-inch lengths.
7) Easton USA Baseball 2 ⅝ S650 Youth Bat
Easton's USB one-piece bats offer a ton of pop as you would expect from any Easton product.
The S650 is a single piece aluminum bat crafted from 7050 aircraft grade aluminum to provide a super fast swing and a good size sweet spot.
The Easton S650 meets all of the 2021 USA bat standards for youth baseball in all the various leagues.
This bat comes in 3 different lengths, 30 inch, 31 and 32 inches and has a diameter of 2 ⅝ inches. This bat is everything you need in a low-cost bat with exceptional performance and delivering the pop you desire.
8) Axe Bat Elite Hybrid 2 ⅝ inch USSSA Baseball Bat
Axe Bat uses a very unique handle structure that closely resembles an axe handle. If you want your bat to stand out in a pile of bats, then an Axe Bat is perfect.
The Elite Hybrid is a two-piece hybrid construction that is end-loaded. The MX8 Alloy barrel is ringless and undergoes a specific heat treatment to ensure explosive pop.
A composite HyperWhip end cap is used to remove unnecessary weight from the end of the bat to help in a faster swing and to give a larger barrel for that good size sweet spot.
The handle is made from a lightweight composite that has been tuned to increase whip and will reduce vibrations with a new vibration cancelling system that has an energy absorption collar at the connection point.
The Endogrid technology in the handle reduces bottom-hand vibrations.
One of the most prominent features of the bat is the unique patented axe handle which looks just like an actual axe and is said to provide more control over your swing.
This bat has a 2 ⅝ diameter to it and comes in 3 different sizes, 30 inch, 31 inch and 32-inch lengths.
9) Marucci Cat7 Senior League Baseball Bat
While the Cat7 may be last year's technology, it certainly doesn't keep it from being a best drop 5 bat that is loaded with features and technology to help get the most out of your bat.
The Cat7 is made from AZ4x alloy and will have increased strength and a better response rate with a sweet spot that is twice as large as the older Cat6 before it.
Ring-free one-piece construction provides no dead spots, and the engineered wall thickness helps to improve balance and helps for much faster swing speeds.
The handle features a 2nd generation AV2 Anti-Vibration know that is finely tuned to prevent negative feedback.
The Cat7 Drop 5 comes in three sizes, a 30 inch, 31 inch and a 32-inch length and has a diameter of 2 ⅝ inches.
10) Louisville Slugger Omaha 519
The Omaha 519 is a one-piece bat constructed to meet all USSSA standards. Exceptional workmanship and a powerful performance should be expected from a bat such as this.
Louisville Slugger uses an ST 7U1+ alloy for construction of this bat that allows for a huge sweet spot and still provides a good stiff feel when you have contact with the ball. A 6-star end cap is in place to help give an easy-to-swing bat that provides a lot of pop. The longer barrel design gives you maximum plate coverage.
The handle is covered with the all-new LS Pro Comfort give to provide you with the complete mix of cushion and tack when it comes to your time at bat.
This bat has a 2 ⅝ inch barrel design and comes in 30, 31 and 32-inch lengths.
Batting and MOI with Drop 5 Baseball Bats
What is MOI
MOI or Moment of Inertia is important when it comes to batting. The MOI can control how a bat feels when you swing it even more so than the actual weight of the bat.
The MOI is determined by how the weight of the bat is distributed along the barrel and where the balance point or center-of-mass is located on the bat.
With a balance point close to the handle the bat will be easier to swing, and opposite if the balance point is closer to the end, the bat will be slightly harder to swing.
Why is MOI Important?
It is determined that bat swing tends to be the primary factor when it comes to driving the ball.
For simplicity sake, we can say that there is a light swing (low MOI) and a heavy swing (high MOI).
Generally, a player can hit farther with a lighter bat such as a Drop 5 model as it provides an easier swing and offers more bat control during the swing.
Stronger players can hit with a higher MOI, and the additional inertia of the bat can crack the ball that much farther.
When it comes to bats in a single category like Drop 5, it means that all the bats are manufactured to be the same size and weight.
So what really makes one bat stand out more than another? That would come down to MOI and each individual player.
MOI and You
It is imperative to know what kind of swing each player is when it comes to bats.
While most companies don't put MOI on their bats, you will learn where the center of balance is and if you can swing the bat as efficiently as your swing rate allows.
The rule of thumb would be that the stronger the player is, the more towards the end the balance point can be.
The weaker the player is, the more towards the handle you want the balance point for the maximum swing speeds possible.
What Do You Expect to Pay for the Best Drop-5 Bat?
There are many to choose from the best drop 5 bats on our list, from one piece aluminum to hybrid composite materials and they can range in price considerably.
One piece bats are on the lower end of the scale with some bats on our list that can be had for as low as $80 after sale prices.
Some of our bats here are models from a previous year, so while the bat's performance is not decreased at all, you can find them on sale at times for a lower price.
Composite bats and multi-piece bats can range greatly in price depending on the construction and the alloy that is used. Certain bats on this list reach up to $350 for a decent composite bat.
More expensive does not always mean better. Testing bats for swing speed and balance still can't be beaten as each individual player will have their own strengths and feel when it comes to a bat in hand.
Measuring Your Drop 5 Bat
When it comes to measuring your bat, several guidelines should be considered. While a longer bat may sound good as it has more plate coverage, it may not give you the best MOI and the sweet spot location you need for those long drives.
Youth league bats are regulated in both size and weight so be sure to check with your coach on what specs are needed for the particular league that any youth may be playing in.
We hope you found this list helpful when it comes to various Drop 5 bats.
Like any purchase, it is essential that you do your research and get acquainted with your bat to be sure it has just the right amount of swing to really maximize that sweet spot for those home runs.
What Is the Best Drop 5 Baseball Bat
Source: https://youthbaseballguide.com/best-drop-5-baseball-bats/