6 Best 2017 Metal Baseball Bats

Aluminum bats have a trampoline effect. This is the main benefit of a metal baseball bat over a wooden bat. Simply, a metal bat springs the ball back off from the bat. So, hitting a baseball with a wood bat is like jumping on your floor, whereas hitting a ball with a metal baseball bat is like jumping on your bed.

Easton created the first aluminum bat in 1972. Louisville Slugger followed. Then, in 1974, the NCAA legalized metal baseball bats for use in college games. And, the revolution was complete. With more manufacturers making enhancements, JustBats.com compiled a list of the six (6) best 2017 metal baseball bats based on customer feedback, bat reviews, and internal feedback.

Note: for ease, the bats highlighted are all BBCOR bats. However, all alloy bats can be found here. 

Marucci CAT 7

The most common complaint among amateur baseball players about metal bats? Vibration in the hands. With the CAT 7, Marucci introduced the brand-new AV2 Knob to ensure remarkably less vibrational feedback. Another enhancement with the CAT 7 on an already popular bat series is the AZ4X alloy that improves durability and strength. Other key features of the Marucci CAT 7 include:

• AZ4X alloy provides increased strength with a higher response rate.
• One-piece alloy construction for a traditional feel.
• AV2 Knob offers a better feel and less negative vibrational feedback.
• Balanced design for precision and control.
• Optimized barrel design ensures a sweet spot twice as large as the CAT 6.

Rawlings VELO

Metal bats guarantee a lighter and faster swing than wood bats, and Rawlings VELO has earned a reputation for being one of the lightest and fastest swinging baseball bats. The reason? VELO's Silver Comp Lite composite end cap that is fiber reinforced means unnecessary weight is removed from the end of the barrel, shifting the MOI towards the player's hands. Other key features of the Rawlings VELO include:

• Precision Laser pOp 2.0 gives a lasered groove through the sweet spot increasing flex and pop.
• One-piece alloy construction.
• Extremely well balanced and available in 1/2 inch sizes.
• Acoustic alloy provides enhanced durability, explosive swing speed, and the loudest alloy on the market.
• Silver Comp Lite end cap improves balance.

Louisville Slugger Solo 617

Constructed with the brand new SL Hyper alloy, the Louisville Slugger Solo 617 delivers a stiff feel for maximum energy transfer on contact with a ball. The Solo 617 is different from the Omaha 517 at the end; that is, Slugger invented the Speed Ballistic Composite (SBC) end cap for the absolute lowest MOI and quickest swing speed. Other key features of the Louisville Slugger Solo 617 include:

• Exceptional durability.
• One-piece, alloy construction.
• Lowest MOI and fastest swing speed in Louisville Slugger's line.
• Balanced swing weight.
• New SL Hyper Alloy offers a stiffer feel and max energy transfer on contact.

Easton Z-CORE Speed Whiteout

This design is limited edition. The Z-Core Speed Whiteout bat is constructed with the same materials as last year's Z-CORE HMX, but with a beautiful all-white design. This iteration offers the lowest swing weight, extremely fast swing speeds, and one of the largest aluminum barrels out there. Other key features of the Easton Z-CORE Speed Whiteout include:

• *Limited Edition Whiteout design*
• One-piece, alloy construction.
• Z-CORE internal core technology creates huge, expanded sweet spot.
• Lower swing weight for a balanced feel and faster swing speed.
• HYPERSKIN grip with HMX (Hyperlite Matrix Alloy) construction.

Mizuno Generation

A brand new bat series! The Mizuno Generation is forged from the new Hot Metal single wall aluminum alloy and combined with CORTECH technology to help adjust wall thickness across the barrel creating a sweet spot that is 35% larger than previous models. Plus, the exclusive Speed-Helix bat grip comes wrapped around the handle for an added luxury and extended durability. Other key features of the Mizuno Generation include:

• Balanced swing weight for increased bat speed and control.
• One-piece, alloy construction.
• Single wall barrel design.
• CORTECH adjusts wall thickness to create a 35% larger sweet spot.
• Hot metal aluminum alloy provides great performance and sound.

Should you swing wood bats or aluminum bats?

DeMarini Voodoo One

This bat is for the hitter who is looking for more feedback in the hands during impact. The Voodoo One is a balanced, one-piece design constructed with DeMarini's X14 alloy with enhanced variable wall thickness for better weight distribution and even more power. This bat offers maximum stiffness for an extremely sturdy feel during every at-bat. Other key features of the DeMarini Voodoo One include:

• New X14 alloy enhances variable wall thickness for better weight distribution and more power.
• One-piece, alloy construction.
• Big D end cap absorbs vibration while keeping swing weight low.
• Balanced swing weight.
• Perfect for the hitter looking for more feedback in the hands during impact.

Have you swung one of these best metal bats? Which one is your favorite? Feel free to leave a comment below letting us know your thoughts to start the conversation. Or, if you have any aluminum baseball bat or  metal softball bat related questions, our Bat Experts are available via phone at 866-321-2287, email at  experts@justbats.com, or you can  click here to live chat. Don't forget, we're always here for you from click to hit!