Before we get into it, we would like to point out that none of these recommendations are driven by kick backs, ease of shave or margin like you may see on paid reviewed sites or from other bat doctor companies. Every bat on the list below are proven performers backed by 15+ years of bat shaving experience. We are not in the business to sell you a garbage bat already knowing it will turn you off and make you not want to come back and purchase with us again. Doesn't make a lot of sense operating that way which is why our company model is literally the complete opposite. Our job as bat doctors is to know all these products inside and out, how they perform stock and how they perform altered. Nothing can replace experience and understanding the ins and outs of all the models out there. So with this said, lets get down to what will drop some BOMBS!
VERY IMPORTANT --> Stock bat reviews are not shaved bat reviews. Review sites are popping up everywhere and they do heavily influence bat sales. The most influencial of them all is Baseball Bat Bros of which many reading this drink the kool-aid they serve. Not that I will get into it here, but I do pay attention to these sites and some reviews I see leaves me scratching my head. I get it, most every one wants a bat that is on point within swings vs weeks / months. The only downfall to these types of bats is durability which means you will be burning a hole in your wallet. Lets use a good example of a mediocre review stock, but phenomenal review shaved
Some stock bats need a lot of swings to break in but when shaved and rolled, its a totally different ball game. One of the best current examples for a baseball bat is the 2025 LS Meta BBCOR. Very average stock with a ton of break in needed, but shaved, its a totally different ball game. Once broken in, I will put this bat up against any shaved BBCOR bat out there to see which bat is hotter. Yes you will need to put in some effort to get it there, however, end all be all, not much to worry about on the durability front and it is just as good as any other bat out there shaved vs shaved
Bottom line is every bat at the end of the day is rated to be within compliance of the certification stamp on the barrel in stock form. There is nothing out there, stock, that exceeds this benchmark. All things equal, every single bat fully broken in will be about as hot as the other, but zero review sites will mention this. We strongly suggest to not be overly concerned with initial exit velocity when choosing what bat to go with it as every hitter will compress the barrel differently and bats do not break in the same as others in the comparison. Just because you see it online being the top dog, doesn't mean your reality will be the same. Choosing a bat with the correct balancing and feel that works with your swing is how it should be selected. If you cant make good contact, it doesn't matter how hot the bat is, the ball simply wont go.
The bats on this list are not listed in any particular order from best to not quite the best, all are recommended and are equally as hot as the other. The only material difference is look and feel.
ALL BATS ON THIS LIST ARE AS SHAVED AND ROLLED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
USA BASEBALL
USA (-12 or 11)
2024 Marucci Cat x USA (w/ barrel reconditioning service)
USA (-10)
USA (-8)
2024 Marucci Cat x USA (w/ barrel reconditioning service)
USA (-5)
2025 Marucci Cat X2 USA (w/ barrel reconditioning service)
USSSA BASEBALL
USSSA JBB
USSSA (-10)
Best durability / performance combination
2025 Louisville Slugger Meta Prime
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MAX performance
USSSA (-8)
Best durability / performance combination
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MAX performance
USSSA (-5)
Best durability / performance combination
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MAX performance
-- THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION WE ALWAYS GET, WHY ARENT THERE ANY DEMARINI -10 or -8 USSSA BATS ON YOUR BEST BATS LIST? THE ANSWER IS VERY SIMPLE. ALL OF OUR BEST BATS LISTED ARE AS SHAVED AND ROLLED. ZENS (SHAVED) BREAK VERY EASY FOR A HIGH PERECENTAGE OF KIDS. AS A ROLLED BAT, THE ZEN AND ZOA WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE. AS A SHAVED BAT, THEY COME WITH A BAG OF ISSUES NO OTHER BRAND HAS WHICH IS WHY THEY DONT MAKE THIS LIST --
BBCOR BASEBALL
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HOTTEST BBCOR BAT STILL AVAILABLE!
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Composites
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Alloy (sleeve or puck removed)
2025 Easton Split -- ULTIMATE SLEEPER BAT
2025 Louisville Slugger Select PWR
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Alloy (barrel reconditioning service)
GIRLS FASTPITCH
Shaved and Rolled (-10 or -9)
2025 Louisville Slugger Kryo -- HOT!
Shaved and Rolled (-11)
2025 Louisville Slugger Kryo -- HOT!
* The Ghosts have iffy durability
MENS SLOWPITCH
USSSA (Shaved or Rolled) -- 240 models below
USSSA (Shaved or Rolled) -- 220 models below
ASA 52/300 (Shaved or Rolled)
ASA 44/375 (Shaved or Rolled)
Senior
Clincher Balls
** USSSA bats do not hit these balls good at all. 1 piece Senior bats or low compression ASA bats hit clinchers the best. If you are in a fastpitch mens league and on the clinchers, do not use any low compression ASA bat, go for a senior bat **
Mens modified Fastpitc
Suncoast Melees (1 piece models)
California Bat Company (1 piece models)
** stay away from low compression ASA bats if you want the bat to hold up **