2018 List of the 10 Best BBCOR Bats

*Note: To see all 10 top rated bats use the scroll bar above to reveal 6-10.

So you’re in need of the best BBCOR bats? You’re not alone.

After all, it’s estimated that 455,300 baseball players play for their high school team and the National Federation of State High School Associations require proper BBCOR bats.

The same thing goes for the 25,700 college players with the required BBCOR bats certified by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

That’s not even mentioning the other players of various other leagues which just prefer to have their players use BBCOR baseball bats too.

But which are the top BBCOR bats to choose from? That can be a very difficult choice to make, with so many options available.

So with our list of the top ten BBCOR bats, at least you can keep your options at a more manageable level.

Here it is then: the ultimate list of the top BBCOR baseball bats you can get right now.

1. 2018 DeMarini CF Insane BBCOR

In the picture: 2018 DeMarini CF Insane BBCOR

It’s a bit on the expensive side, but it’s one of the hottest BBCOR bats selling in online stores right now.

In fact, some sizes are selling out in some of these stores, so you may need to exert a bit more effort in finding the 2018 DeMarini CF Insane BBCOR in the right size for your kid.

But for many, it really is worth the effort.

• The new Paraflex composite material they use is so strong that DeMarini can use less of it for the bat to make it lighter—and therefore it’s also easier to control.

• With the control you have over your bat, you can react more swiftly to zippy fastballs. And you can track the nasty curveballs and sliders to put the bat right where you want it.

• You also may find that imperfect contact with the ball doesn’t end up as automatic outs.

• The massive sweet spot is excellent, as it gives you a bigger spot where contact doesn’t cause stinging in your hands.

• The structure of the bat is solid, with the perfect balance made possible by the design of the knob and the end cap.

• The 3Fusion Handle offers the best of both worlds when it comes to hitting without pain and slugging with power.

  The stiffness of the bat gives it its oomph. The dampener keeps the vibration caused by the ball contact from stinging your hands.

All these factors make for an one of the best BBCOR bats any player—especially power hitters—will be proud to wield for their team.

(check current price here)

2. 2018 Mizuno Ghost BBCOR

The baseball bat industry is littered with the brand names of icons with long, legendary histories.

These bat makers usually come from either the US or Japan, where they have the technology to match their passion for baseball.

The 2018 Mizuno Ghost BBCOR is designed by some of the smartest bat makers in the world, and it stands above most of the bats in the BBCOR category.

• It’s a solid 2-piece bat, but the balance is astonishing fine. Getting the balance right is the reason why most makers use 2-piece construction.

  You only need to fix one section to get the balance right.

• It’s also very light overall.

  Add the balance with the low weight and you have a bat that you can control absolutely.

• The hitting surface area is much bigger, since the 2 5/8-inch diameter starts right near the handle instead of just limited to the top end.

  That means more chances of making contact with the ball, and more chances of getting a hit.

• It’s also very durable. The problem with 1-piece bats is that they’re not all that durable at all, compared to their 2-piece counterparts.

  This 2-piece bat comes with 12 month warranty typically seen with most 2-piece bats.

• It uses the Speed-Helix Grip. I’ve personally tested this bat and the grip is super comfy.

Choose this Mizuno baseball bat if you value control over everything. The absolute control you have over your bat will definitely improve your hitting stats big time.

2018 Mizuno Ghost BBCOR Demonstration Video

3. 2018 Louisville Slugger Prime 918 BBCOR

There have been several Louisville Slugger Prime baseball bats, but this latest 2018 is the ultimate best.

Last year’s version was well received and this year’s version won’t disappoint!

• The new 100% composite microform barrel design gives you more pop than previous versions of this bat.

• The TRU3 connection almost eliminates vibration upon contact with the ball. It’s very robust, so it offers strength while the weight is kept low.

• The composite bat material increases the contact surface area when you hit the ball, so you impart more force to the ball.

  That means balls fly farther and faster.

• This bat has a 1.7 balanced swing weight rating. It’s the 2nd lowest swing weight out of all Louisville Slugger bats.

• The new RTX end cap is pretty cool. This enables more even distribution of the weight. Basically, it helps make the sweet spot even bigger.

• Players say this bat has incredible pop right out of the wrapper. This bat is perfect for any sort of contact hitter.

• This bat employs the Lizard Skins grip. If you’ve ever held a bat with this type of grip nothing further needs to be said.

The 2018 Louisville Slugger Prime 918 BBCOR is a truly superior bat.

It offers a lot of zing upon contact. Even when you don’t hit the ball solidly, the ball still pops out with a lot of life.

Your hands are protected too. With the bonus of that no vibration thing upon contact, it’s fantastic.

4. 2018 Rawlings Quatro BBCOR

Nicknamed the “Glowstick”, this bat is very memorable indeed.

Just one look at it makes you want to use it, like a Jedi master of baseball.

The name “Quatro” refers to its 4 fine attributes:

• The flex of the bat offers a lot of pop brought on by the excellent trampoline effect. Balls fly greater distances, while grounders bounce with more zing than ever before.

  This is the kind of pop that turns safe fly balls into home runs, and which turns weak grounders into getting past the infielders.

• The distance the balls cover after contact is amazing. Even when you’re just a contact hitter, you may not have to run too quickly to get infield hits.

  You don’t have to hit the ball solidly to get the ball to lob safely over the infielders where the outfielders can’t reach it quickly.

• The balance is also impeccable. It’s built primarily for contact hitters instead of power hitters, since the load of the weight isn’t concentrated at the top end.

  Instead, the weight is distributed evenly all along the length. That gives you fine control over the bat.

  The bat goes where you want it to go, and it swings fast.

  You can catch up with fastballs, and you can change the direction of the bat swing to account for the change in direction of curveballs.

• The performance of the bat is magnificent. You’re basically going to improve your hitting stats when you change from an inferior bat to this one. The comfort level of the grip is fine as well.

The 2018 Rawlings Quatro BBCOR is a good-looking bat with the appearance of a light saber. But its performance is just a lethal.

You should absolutely read this BEFORE buying the Quatro.

5. 2018 Rawlings Velo BBCOR

You’d think that perhaps there would only be one Rawlings baseball bat in the top 10, right?

Rawlings, mostly known for gloves have been producing top of the line bats for several years now and in 2018 they’ve scored big time with this 2018 Rawlings Velo BBCOR baseball bat.

Did you ever think you’d see back to back top 5 Rawlings bats?

• The aluminum barrel is just a bit larger than usual. In fact, it’s one of the longest 1-piece bats in the industry.

  We don’t have to tell you what that means to a hitter. It means that you won’t have to lunch across the plate looking to hit outside pitches. And the length gives you more power when you swing.

• The power also comes from the lighter swing weight. This means that the bat can travel at a faster velocity when it makes contact, giving you a lot more oomph to your hit.

  Also, this lighter swing weight means you have more time to track the ball before you start your swing. This will increase the probability of making contact.

• The 1-piece hybrid technology optimizes the bat’s trampoline effect. It transfers the energy from the bat back to the ball.

• It even uses a superior grip with a tackified, synthetic bat grip. This is the fantastic grip that gives you superior control. So you can imagine just how grippy and yet comfy it can be.

This Velo does look different from earlier versions, because it doesn’t have the old solid red or blue colors that attracted everyone’s eye.

Now it comes with a more subtle look. But its performance is far from subtle—it really is a beast that will attract everyone’s attention.

Why? Because it’s one of the best BBCOR bats for 2018.

You can check the current price here.

6. 2018 Easton Ghost X BBCOR

Now it may sound insane to some diehard Easton fans that the brand has finally come out with an alternative to the Mako. Easton has mostly featured the Mako for years.

But what’s really insane here is the crazy improvement in your hitting you’ll get, when you’re a contact hitter armed with this bat.

• It’s still a Mako bat in some ways when you feel the balance. While it is balanced, it doesn’t mean you won’t hit bombs.

  You will still have some measure of power with your bat. You don’t just blindly swing and trust to luck where it will go. It can go where you actually direct it. That means more chances of making contact too.

• The carbon composite material used for the bat is quite a game changer. It’s very durable, and that means you get a strong bat to give you ultimate performance all season long.

  The previous Mako Beast is still one of the best bats you can get today. But the material in the Ghost X is superior.

• Why change something that’s already among the best? That was the attitude for the Mako Best, which made its appearance in the Easton line last year.

  It offers a carbon handle that is like no other. Players say they feel very little vibration.

• Easton wants to make sure you know that although the bat is balanced all spots in the lineup can benefit.

This 2018 Easton Ghost X BBCOR offers game-changing performance right out of the box, and its strength will ensure that it will last you for quite a long while.

With this bat, balls go farther and faster, and your hands won’t have to suffer from mishits.

This bat is crazily good, and you’ll be insane to not at least consider it if you’re a contact hitter.

The 2018 Easton Ghost X Video

7. 2018 Axe Elite BBCOR

Who doesn’t want a 2-piece hybrid bat that offers lots of control, a fast swing, a huge barrel, and a great feel?

If you’re looking for a BBCOR bat, then you’ll really want to take a look at this 2018 Axe Elite -3 baseball bat.

• For the upcoming baseball season, the bat showcases a military grade mantic alloy. This is the material gracing all the high end Axe bats.

• It comes end-loaded with one of the most powerful swings out of the 2018 class.

• The handle is composite, lightweight and is ergonomically designed to give you a 270 degree hitting area.

• This Axe Elite bat also has a special end cap. They call it a “HyperWhip” composite end cap. This is intended to make the swing speed superb.

• Speaking of the handle it boasts technology called “Endogrid”. This technology reduces vibration in a big way according to the company.

  However, when I do a search for Endogrid on their website nothing comes up. I guess it’s a secret.

• I can’t find any information on the grip either but it appears to be a synthetic leather material.

Let’s face it…this bat is for power hitters. If you are 3,4 or 5 in the lineup it’s for you.

Sure, contact hitters can use this bat too but that’s not who this was designed for.

The size of the barrel and fast swing means that power hitters can appreciate the force the 2018 Axe Elite BBCOR can generate.

8. 2018 Louisville Slugger Select 718 BBCOR

Nowadays, pitchers have the ability to dominate. They have the lightning-quick fastballs that can just zoom by, along with wicked curveballs and changeups that are harder to track.

But now with the 2018 Louisville Slugger Select 718 BBCOR, you can match up with any pitcher admirably.

• The key to this bat is its amazing swing speed. This is the result of its light weight and even balance.

  This swing speed gives you that ability to keep up with any sort of pitch you may face. Do you recognize a fastball? Your swing can keep up with it? Is it a curveball? Then your fast swing gives you a bit more to predict its movement more accurately.

• It’s not all about just making contact either. It’s simple physics too. The faster you swing, the more force you can exert upon contact.

  With greater force upon contact, the ball goes faster between the infielders and the ball flies farther beyond the outfielders.

  So with a faster swing, you get a lot more zing.

• The sweet spot is larger too. This is the area of the bat that gives you a solid contact with the ball, so you can really hit it with force.

  At the same time, the bigger sweet spot also protects your hands from the vibrations you get from mishits. That’s because you don’t get as many mishits as before.

The best BBCOR bats are usually used by teens and young adults, and for that particular demographic you can’t downplay the need for a cool look for a bat. This one looks definitely cool though, like it’s a racing car ready to pounce.

But it’s certainly not all looks and no game.

With the 2018 Louisville Slugger Select 718 BBCOR, what’s “under the hood” is a marvel.

Its heft and lightning quick swing speed makes it a formidable weapon even against the best pitchers in the game.

9. 2018 Mizuno Maxcor BBCOR

Usually, when a brand has a flagship bat model for the year, it’s just a little bit better next year.

That’s not what happened with the 2018 Mizuno Maxcor BBCOR. Last year’s Maxor was terrific. I know because I personally tested it. But the new version isn’t just better—it’s a lot better.

That’s why it’s on my top 10 list of the best BBCOR bats.

• The Maxcor uses a HotMetal alloy core, and this one is even stronger than the material found on the previous models.

• You know how many brands say they’ve increased a bat’s sweet spot area? They usually say that it’s 20 or even 30% bigger. But here’s the rub for the Maxcor—it’s wider than before! That translates to being bigger than its predecessor.

• Though it’s a 2-piece hybrid bat, it comes with the “(VP) sleeve” technology that puts a great amount of spin on the ball.

  What does that mean? It means the ball will have a much longer flight than other bats.

• There’s also the HotMetal aluminum alloy core underneath the VP sleeve. It is said to be one of the strongest barrels in all of baseball.

• Even the grip is superb. It comes with a supra-helix grip. It’s synthetic like most other grips but I’ve head this bat. It’s very comfortable and easy to grip.

This is designed for those who like a balanced swing weight but after personally hitting with a Maxcor I believe anyone in the lineup can benefit from it.

If you have the strength to control this bat, then the 2018 Mizuno Maxcor BBCOR has what it takes to really blast that ball into the stands.

10. 2018 Combat MAXUM BBCOR

I was saddened to learn the company who created the Combat line of bats sold to Easton. I’m a big fan of many choices and the Combat Maxum was one of my favorite bats last year.

I tested the bat myself and even though I give my demo bats away I wanted to keep this one.

Combat had A+ customer service which also made the bat attractive.

Thanks to the Just Bats company we get to taste the Maxum one more year!

• The 2018 Combat Maxum gives you the same massive barrel and boasts of a hitting surface 20-40% larger than other BBCOR bats.

• There is something spectacular about this 1-piece composite bat. There doesn’t seem to be any dead spots no matter where you hit it.

• This is a balanced bat with a ton of pop right out of the wrapper. I’ve swung the Maxum and it’s quite smooth.

• Just because it’s smooth and balanced doesn’t mean the ball won’t go far. One player has even said this Maxum is “explosive”.

• The handle also dissipates the vibrations and the one piece technology makes it seamless from handle to barrel.

• The red synthetic grip is topnotch. It’s very secure, even if you don’t wear batting gloves and your hands sweat a lot.

Video: 3 Factors To Help You Choose Best BBCOR Bat

Final Thoughts on the Best BBCOR Bats For 2018

Of course, the baseball season may have just started for your team.

Maybe you’re about to enjoy a Spring Training game in Arizona or Florida.

But now is the time to get a new bat, so you can practice with it and get used to its size and weight.

Still haven’t decided? Go back up and scroll through the top 10 best BBCOR bats 2018 has to offer.

When the 2018 baseball season arrives, you’ll be ready with the meanest bat you can get.

So pick one of the top BBCOR bats we’ve listed for you for 2018.

Each and every bat here is terrific—you just need to practice, and you will undoubtedly improve your hitting. Batter Up!