Top 5 Best USA Baseball Bats 2018 – Help Your Team Truly Excel

In the chart above you see the top 5 best USA baseball bats for the 2018 season.

No matter what your level is, if you want to complement the perfect swing, you’re going to need the perfect bat.

In most youth and amateur baseball leagues, the only standard of an acceptable bat is the USA Baseball logo.

Here, we’re going to look at the five best USA Baseball bats for 2018. I will help you find the one that will help you, your child or your team truly excel.

What makes a USA Baseball bat?

To compete in USA Baseball leagues, you have to have to play with a bat that meets the USA Baseball bat standards.

These standards change over time. In 2018, the new standard is aimed at creating wood-like performance in youth baseball bats. This includes a bigger diameter around 2 5/8″.

In these reviews, we’re going to cover the bats that fit the standard as of the beginning of 2018.

These standards are subject to change, of course, just as new bats are likely to come out. When that happens, we will release a new series of USA baseball bats reviews to match.

The USA Baseball standard applies to all bats used in Little League, the American Amateur Baseball Congress, Babe Ruth Baseball / Cal Ripken Baseball, Dixie Youth, PONY Baseball and Dizzy Dean.

For USSSA Baseball, the changes in the 2018 USA Baseball standards do not apply as they fit a different series of standards.

Video: USA Baseball Bats Explanation

#1 – 2018 DeMarini Voodoo USA

Drop weight: -10
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: WTDXUD2

2018 DeMarini Voodoo USABoasting an X14 Alloy, a 3Fusion endcap and handle alongside an ergonomic RCK Knob, the 2018 DeMarini Voodoo two-piece promises precise weight distribution and control throughout.

The end cap is designed to perfect the sweet spot, sound, and pop directly through the barrel.

This is advertised as a bat designed to provide superb pop for the junior high age player fast rising in their game with a more physically advanced level of play.

The good

A well-designed two-piece bat that reduces vibration on poorly hit balls with a superior barrel performance and impressible durability.

The 3Fusion end cap and handle provide exactly the level of comfort and form-fitting grip as promised. It reduces the sting to the hands that lower quality bats often come with.

What’s more, the end cap does the trick with providing a nicely sized sweet spot that optimizes pop with every swing.

The bad

As DeMarini states, this is the most weight end loaded bat in their line-up and designed specifically for physically advanced players.

As a result, it is one of the heaviest bats with a -10 drop weight on the market to the degree that some players find it unwieldy, even unusable.

The bottom line

A reasonably priced, high-end bat that’s sturdy for two-piece.

However, the feeling of weight makes it unsuitable for players unable to handle it. It’s wisely recommended for the more physically advanced player.

As we will soon see, the seeming discrepancies between the drop weight and the actual feeling of the weight is a running theme following the changes the USA Baseball standards.

Most impressive about the DeMarini Voodoo is the improved reaction to poorly hit balls, which some of its competitors lack.

This is clearly one of the winners for 2018 USA baseball bats.

2018 DeMarini Baseball Bats Hype Video

#2 – Easton 2018 Ghost Hyperlite USA

Drop weight: -11
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: YBB18GXHL

2018 Easton Ghost USA BaseballThis is a one-piece bat featuring new Easton exact advanced carbon technology that’s advertised as reducing swing weight.

While the Hyperlite focuses more on control and feel compared to other Ghost bats.

Easton is best known for the x-tended barrel design.

This gives longer barrels and huge sweet spots to better ensure a great pop.

The good

Compared to other Easton models, like the Mako Beast, it provides a little less pop but some would say that it makes the difference thanks to an improved barrel length.

The one-piece design does improve swing weight and make it feel a lot sturdier than many two-piece bats.

As promised, the Hyperlite does deliver a bigger sweet spot and great performance compared to some of the other bats that we are will be looking at a little further on.

The bad

The Ghost range has always had an issue with leaving a stinging feeling in the player’s hands. The 2018 Hyperlite is, unfortunately, no exemption.

Furthermore, the sweet spot isn’t as large as one might hope. Seeming to be slightly reduced from previous models, but still providing a decent pop when you do hit it.

What’s more, the bat feels end weighted, resulting in a heavier bat when stationary that can take some time getting used to.

Unlike past Ghost Hyperlites, they’ve shifted from a two-piece design to a one-piece composite. The change might be unwelcome to some players.

The bottom line

The one-piece offers the advantage of a sturdier feeling bat, but with increased friction and vibration that can get uncomfortable.

With this bat, it feels like pop is somewhat sacrificed for a longer barrel, contrary to the advertising. It still remains one of the best swings and one of the highest performing bats in the game if you can get used to the end weighted feeling.

It’s a great bat for youth players, but if you have used Ghost Hyperlites in the past, the shift from two-piece to one-piece design might take a lot of getting used to.

#3 – 2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 USA

Drop weight: -11
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: WTLUBS618B11

2018 Louisville Slugger Solo 618 USAThis is another one-piece bat from Louisville Slugger with an SL Hyper alloy construction.

The Solo 618 promises a stiffer feel and superior energy transfer when the bat meets the ball.

This year’s model comes with a brand-new Speed Ballistic End Cap to improve swing weight and promise maximum swing speed.

This is already one of the best-selling USA baseball bats in 2018.

The good

Nice and light, the Solo 618 might be the bat that’s actually closest to its advertised swing weight. It has a long barrel that feels like it’s perfectly distributed to deliver maximum pop.

Compared to other one-piece bats, the new Lizard Skins premium performance grip seems to minimize vibrations. It avoids some of the soreness that other bats cause to players’ hands as well as providing fantastic grip.

The bad

With a small sweet spot, it can be harder to get the pop you want off this bat.

Across the board, this seems to be the general consensus and the most common complaint. Alongside an unfortunate sting on poorly hit balls that competitors like the DeMariini Voodoo seem to have gotten around.

Again, though it feels the closest to its advertised weight, there is a definite discrepancy.

The bottom line

With a superb grip and make nullifying some of the vibration issues found in other one-piece bats, but with all the solidity expected of the type, the 2018 Solo 618 might be the best USA Baseball bat on the market.

Again, a reduced pop and a slightly higher weight will frustrate some buyers, however.

Despite the downsides, the Solo 618 is the most balanced bat on the Louisville Slugger line-up and easily a contender for the best bat of 2018.

#4 – 2018 Rawlings Quatro

Drop weight: -10
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: US8Q10

2018 Rawlings Quatro USA Baseball BatA two-piece bat designed for the average hitter, this year’s Quatro features a longer barrel, including a new lightweight end cap that is marketed as reducing the weight.

Compared to other Rawlings bats, the carbon fiber composite material allows for a bigger sweet spot and more pop.

Vibration dampening allows for a smoother feel in through the ball.

Meanwhile, the Ultimate Flex barrel and handle design accelerates speed through contact to further optimize that pop.

The good

Well-balanced and easy to swing, the Quatro might have the fewest complaints regarding the weight discrepancy that has been showing up in 2018’s USA Baseball bats.

Well-weighted, it is certainly the bat for the average hitter. One of the best bats to incorporate the larger barrels featured within the new guidelines.

Despite a slightly decreased pop compared to other bats, youth players are going to find little difference in how far they can send the ball. Little to no uncomfortable vibration on contact.

The bad

Compared to the others, specifically to the Solo 618, it simply doesn’t produce as much pop.

It does suffer from that lack of stiffness that you tend to get only with one-piece bats. But it feels better balanced than, for instance, the DiMarini Voodoo.

The bottom line

But for those ongoing weight discrepancies, the Quatro seems to be exactly as it is advertised.

One of the most comfortable experiences of the new 2018 USA Baseball bats, especially for players of an average size.

#5 – 2018 Mizuno Covert USA

Drop weight: -9
Barrel diameter: 2 5/8″
USA Baseball Bat code: YBB18COV9

2018 Mizuno Covert USA BatA two-piece with an alloy barrel and a 100% composite handle, the Mizuno Covert offers a balanced weight increasing swing speed and high-quality performance.

The Black Onyx Composite Handle also offers extra stiffness, making up for what other two-piece bats tend to lack.

Meanwhile, the CorTech adjusts the wall thickness of the bat, aiming to create a bigger sweet spot to guarantee better pop

The good

One of the most impressive thing about this year’s Mizuno Covert is the fact that the Black Onyx handle does seem to mostly succeed at offering the stiffness that many other two-piece bats lack.

It offers decent swing speed, little vibration, and a mostly comfortable experience.

The bad

A small point, but the bat does produce an uncomfortable “snapping” sound when it makes contact with the ball. This is rather distinct compared to the other bats.

What’s more pertinent is that the 2018 Mizuno lineup seems to suffer some of the worst changes for those who prefer a lighter swing weight.

The CorTech doesn’t live up to its promise either, and it feels like the barrel is undersized.

The bottom line

A lesser-known bat that can compete with most mid-to-high range bats with little difficulty.

However, of all the bats suffering the weight increases and pop reduction that seem to be the running theme of 2018, the Mizuno Covert might suffer the worst of them all, with a much smaller sweet spot than hoped and a weight balance that feels uncomfortable compared to its counterparts.

Final Thoughts on These Top 5 USA Baseball Bats

It’s a hard choice, with a few options here for different players depending on what you need from your bat.

For the average player, the Quatro does offer exactly what it says, a more comfortable experience of getting used to the new standards.

However, the Slugger 618 might offer the superior pop and swing for those who are able to handle a bat that feels slightly heavier.

By contrast, the DiMarini is comfortable to hold, but time will tell whether or not it truly is the best option for the more physically advanced player.

To some, that might seem like little more than empty words justifying what feels like a much heavier bat.

On the other hand, the two seeming losers of 2018 are the Mizuno Covert and the Easton Ghost Hyperlite.

While perfectly fine bats in their own right, they simply don’t seem to compete with the high-performance offered for above-average players that the Slugger 618 offers or the comfort and ease of use that the Quatro does.

Don’t despair though because these are the absolute top USA baseball bats.

Despite Complaints These Top 5 USA Baseball Bats Are Great Choice

For 2018, there have been complaints across the board of approved bats coming in above advertised weight, not to mention a reduced pop.

Many players, parents, and coaches are complaining about the sudden shift to aiming for the wood-like feel in new bats.

It might take time for any young player to regain their confidence with a new bat.

It’s for that reason that the Rowlings Quatro might be the most easily recommended bat.

Hopefully, a look at the top five USA baseball approved bats helps you find the perfect tool to make the most of your youth baseball league games.

As mentioned, this will be an ongoing series.

This list will be changing each year to match the changes in the market.

There might also be changes in the USA Baseball standards so come back next time to see which comes out on top.