Bat Size Pros Cons

I would say that his exit velocity is pretty low for a player with his size. Which tells me that he needs a lighter bat. Bigger bat = more power but less bat speed. Sounds like he should be using a 33 30. 

FWIW: He is using a bigger bat than Mike Trout and ARod and by a good amount as well. Stanton uses a 34in 32 oz and he is 6'5 260. Same with Judge

The most important measurable in hitting is exit velocity. Bat speed is a much greater influencer of EV than bat mass. Not to mentions how much longer it must be taking him to get the bigger bats moving. That may be fine in high school, but it won't play in college. He's only hurting himself swinging those heavy bats.

Get his EV measures against a pitching machine or live pitching. I guarantee you that his EV is better with a standard BBCOR or a -2 maple bat. That's all that matters. (All BBCOR are -3, so I don't understand the -1.5.)

If he thinks swinging a big stick is macho, show him this.

PABaseball posted:

I would say that his exit velocity is pretty low for a player with his size. Which tells me that he needs a lighter bat. Bigger bat = more power but less bat speed. Sounds like he should be using a 33 30. 

FWIW: He is using a bigger bat than Mike Trout and ARod and by a good amount as well. Stanton uses a 34in 32 oz and he is 6'5 260. Same with Judge

Sorry. I left EV out... those are bat speeds.   Exit VELO off tee is 98. PW has him at 102 (flt scope) soft toss and hitting facility gunned as high as 108 in BP.

point taken on Stanton and judge.

A player should use the heaviest bat he can both control and maintain good bat speed with.  If bat speed is a constant, more mass will generate more power.  But usually, when a player goes to the upper range of bat size, bat speed suffers.  Another BIG factor is control.  This often isn't exposed until a hitter faces better pitching with good late break, deception, etc.  Can the hitter pull the trigger late or hold off on the swing when he starts to commit but recognizes otherwise? 

The actual numbers will depend on the individual hitter but those are things I look for.   There are lots of examples of pro's playing with particularly light and particularly heavy bats.  Many years ago, there was a big shift toward lighter.  It would be interesting to see what the more recent trends are.

MidAtlanticDad posted:

The most important measurable in hitting is exit velocity. Bat speed is a much greater influencer of EV than bat mass. Not to mentions how much longer it must be taking him to get the bigger bats moving. That may be fine in high school, but it won't play in college. He's only hurting himself swinging those heavy bats.

Get his EV measures against a pitching machine or live pitching. I guarantee you that his EV is better with a standard BBCOR or a -2 maple bat. That's all that matters. (All BBCOR are -3, so I don't understand the -1.5.)

If he thinks swinging a big stick is macho, show him this.

Thx.   I replied above with EVs.   Those are all wood.  His bbcore is -3 but actual weight is 921grams on the scale 32.5 oz.  Dimarini NHFS approved. Yes it is a macho thing... I’ll show him the pic.

cabbagedad posted:

A player should use the heaviest bat he can both control and maintain good bat speed with.  If bat speed is a constant, more mass will generate more power.  But usually, when a player goes to the upper range of bat size, bat speed suffers.  Another BIG factor is control.  This often isn't exposed until a hitter faces better pitching with good late break, deception, etc.  Can the hitter pull the trigger late or hold off on the swing when he starts to commit but recognizes otherwise? 

The actual numbers will depend on the individual hitter but those are things I look for.   There are lots of examples of pro's playing with particularly light and particularly heavy bats.  Many years ago, there was a big shift toward lighter.  It would be interesting to see what the more recent trends are.

Interesting...  I am finding that there are different schools of thought where a definite line is being drawn.  I find myself on the fence after years of being a light bat guy.  Hence, my questions.

Can he turn on a 90+ mph FB with the same EV and still have ability to check swing a Cu or Ch? If so, then yes he can swing the heavier bat

2022NYC posted:

Can he turn on a 90+ mph FB with the same EV and still have ability to check swing a Cu or Ch? If so, then yes he can swing the heavier bat

Pretty simple...  LOL.   Not sure he's seen 90+ yet (maybe as they are sprinkled throughout the league).  Has gone yard on 88 for sure though.  The check swing stuff, haven't really paid attention to that detail... Will have to watch a little closer on that.

Bobby Baseball'

you live in Arizona, 3,000 ' above sea level. The curve ball does not break in the altitude and the extra distance is 40'. Does your son play up in his age group? Is he right or left handed hitter. Does he "choke" the bat with 2 strikes.

Bob

"founder" of the Area Code games

If he wants to use a 34 and his boss wants him to use a 33, then he should use a 33.

And so on.

It has nothing to do with Velocity or Physics.  It's just doing the smart thing.

Consultant posted:

Bobby Baseball'

you live in Arizona, 3,000 ' above sea level. The curve ball does not break in the altitude and the extra distance is 40'. Does your son play up in his age group? Is he right or left handed hitter. Does he "choke" the bat with 2 strikes.

Bob

"founder" of the Area Code games

Phx, I'm from safford but don't live there anymore.  18U / Varsity Baseball 5A...  Chokes the bat, lowers the stride and gets closer to the plate.

game7 posted:

If he wants to use a 34 and his boss wants him to use a 33, then he should use a 33.

And so on.

It has nothing to do with Velocity or Physics.  It's just doing the smart thing.

Good point...   HS not that big a deal because he doesn't use wood.  Oddly enough, the club coaches are fine with it.   My question is mostly about the heavy wood bats... Although 32.5 end loaded is pretty hefty for a composite/metal.  Just debating in my mind how much i'm going to hound (encourage) a lighter bat.   

When he gets to college it’s, “Here are your bat options.” It will be one company. If he’s not quick enough they will make the choice for him. 

RJM posted:

When he gets to college it’s, “Here are your bat options.” It will be one company. If he’s not quick enough they will make the choice for him. 

Good point.  Probably a good subject to research/ask in the recruiting process (policy, brand, philosophy etc).

BobbyBaseball posted:

PABaseball posted:

I would say that his exit velocity is pretty low for a player with his size. Which tells me that he needs a lighter bat. Bigger bat = more power but less bat speed. Sounds like he should be using a 33 30. 

FWIW: He is using a bigger bat than Mike Trout and ARod and by a good amount as well. Stanton uses a 34in 32 oz and he is 6'5 260. Same with Judge

Sorry. I left EV out... those are bat speeds.   Exit VELO off tee is 98. PW has him at 102 (flt scope) soft toss and hitting facility gunned as high as 108 in BP.

point taken on Stanton and judge.

If his exit velo is 98 I wouldn't change a thing. I don't know how good of a hitter he is, but those numbers are in the top 1% of HS baseball players and even elite among the elite. These are the results from PG National last year for the 2019 class.  

https://www.perfectgame.org/Ev...ults.aspx?event=7781

Sort by exit velo. Click on the name to see where they're committed. Many players on this list will be signing very nice contracts in June. 

Am I the only one that finds it odd that it’s even in the conversation with so many of his coaches?  

The only time I have ever heard coaches have any concern with bat sizes is when there is a problem.  

PABaseball posted:

BobbyBaseball posted:

PABaseball posted:

I would say that his exit velocity is pretty low for a player with his size. Which tells me that he needs a lighter bat. Bigger bat = more power but less bat speed. Sounds like he should be using a 33 30. 

FWIW: He is using a bigger bat than Mike Trout and ARod and by a good amount as well. Stanton uses a 34in 32 oz and he is 6'5 260. Same with Judge

Sorry. I left EV out... those are bat speeds.   Exit VELO off tee is 98. PW has him at 102 (flt scope) soft toss and hitting facility gunned as high as 108 in BP.

point taken on Stanton and judge.

If his exit velo is 98 I wouldn't change a thing. I don't know how good of a hitter he is, but those numbers are in the top 1% of HS baseball players and even elite among the elite. These are the results from PG National last year for the 2019 class.  

https://www.perfectgame.org/Ev...ults.aspx?event=7781

Sort by exit velo. Click on the name to see where they're committed. Many players on this list will be signing very nice contracts in June. 

Good info, thx!  He’s a 2020 and needs to shore up speed by about 3tenths and  IF VELO by about 3-4MPH.  But with work,  should be doable.  This, hopefully, will be a growth year (baseball wise).

real green posted:

Am I the only one that finds it odd that it’s even in the conversation with so many of his coaches?  

The only time I have ever heard coaches have any concern with bat sizes is when there is a problem.  

Nah, no real concerns after seeing him hit....  that’s often just an initial reaction.   Sometimes due to the coaching merry go round...   here’s What happens:   Batting practice begins,  kids are talking out loud, they exchange bats and inevitably some kid is like “man that bat is huge”... coach hears that, walks over for inspection and then pontificates on heavy bat, light bat and draws conclusions.... until he sees the vaper trails passing his head near the L screen.   Issue usually put to bed, but coaches tend to harp on things that don’t seem to fit.   My concern is around recruiting and such, I want to avoid any of those concerns and get a feel for what the scouts think or look for and if that’s a negative or positive.   So I’m trying to find out..is swinging a heavy bat perceived as a bad thing?  If I openly discuss it, could I ruin opportunities?   This is where I’m coming from.

BobbyBaseball posted:

My concern is around recruiting and such, I want to avoid any of those concerns and get a feel for what the scouts think or look for and if that’s a negative or positive.   So I’m trying to find out..is swinging a heavy bat perceived as a bad thing?  If I openly discuss it, could I ruin opportunities?   This is where I’m coming from.

You're good here. No coach is going to ask about it. They either like what they see or move on

BobbyBaseball posted:

RJM posted:

When he gets to college it’s, “Here are your bat options.” It will be one company. If he’s not quick enough they will make the choice for him. 

Good point.  Probably a good subject to research/ask in the recruiting process (policy, brand, philosophy etc).

You don’t pick a college program based on their bat contract. It could change. The coach could change. You pick a college,program based on the reputation of the program and a forty year plan based on what their academics will do for you long term.

RJM posted:

BobbyBaseball posted:

RJM posted:

When he gets to college it’s, “Here are your bat options.” It will be one company. If he’s not quick enough they will make the choice for him. 

Good point.  Probably a good subject to research/ask in the recruiting process (policy, brand, philosophy etc).

You don’t pick a college program based on their bat contract. It could change. The coach could change. You pick a college,program based on the reputation of the program and a forty year plan based on what their academics will do for you long term.

After son's freshman season D1 there was a change in sponsorship.  Bat/Glove was changed.  I was worried how he would adapt with new equipment.  Son didn't care or complain.  He later told me "you do what you have to do with what you have to work with."  After his soph. season I realized players who have the talent, understand the game, and work hard will still perform with unfamiliar "high quality" equipment.  Son is about 6' under 200lbs, swings I think a 33/31 wood, but can vary depending on bat make .  Bottom line is you use what you get the best results in.

BobbyBaseball posted:

  Just debating in my mind how much i'm going to hound (encourage) a lighter bat.   

 

The way I see it either he can handle the bat or when he reaches a certain level you won't have to convince him to go to a lighter one, the opposing pitchers will. 

As my son’s hitting coach always says, it’s never the bat. 

It’s like little league when a kid hits a home run and then all the kid start using his bat to no avail. 😂 

Seriously though, coaches/scouts never talk about the size of a bat, unless they think it’s a problem. 

The best advice was to swing whatever the coach wants you to....or prove him wrong. But trying to prove him wrong could be a slippery slope. 

Those wood bats sizes that you mentioned are in the Julio Franco category. I could be wrong but that could pose a problem against 90+ velo. 

There are not a ton of college guys who swing 34” bats because of the velo that they see. At least, not in the Power 5.   

My son swings a 34 but will drop down to a 33.5 or 33 when he see low to mid 90’s.