2023 Marucci CAT X Review - Bat Digest (2024)

FAQs

Is the Cat X bat good? ›

Great handle, great performance, exceeded expectations. Really solid bat, my son is very happy with this and his other Marucci bats. Great bat for middle school.

Our Bat Experts get this question all the time. To answer this question, no it is not. When compared to the CAT9, the CATX features new barrel profiles designed for overall better performance with lower balance points for faster swing speeds.

Unlike alloy bats that are ready to use straight out of the wrapper, composite bats need a little warming up. The reason for this “break-in” period is to loosen the resin inside of the barrel so the material can be more responsive upon contact.

The CATX Connect is a two-piece hybrid (aluminum barrel/composite handle) featuring a slightly end-loaded balance point, while the CATX is a one-piece aluminum featuring a more balanced design. The CATX features our new Liquid-Gel dampening knob that helps dampen and dissipate vibrations and sting.

I'm happy with the Cat X because this brand has proved to be more durable than competitors. He usually gets a full fall and spring out of a Marucci before it starts to crack. Others we've tried were great bats with good pop but they cracked after 2 months.

What is the difference between the CAT9 and the CATX? The CATX BBCOR features a completely re-shaped barrel profile that offers a much more balanced design (on average a 1” lower balance point) with a wider sweet spot and more forgiving barrel.

The CATX Composite is a mid-balanced bat designed to feel slightly end-loaded that features the new S-40 handle, which is a stiffer composite handle creating more energy transfer from player to ball for more performance.

It was in that year Marucci introduced its first alloy bat, the CAT5. Named for a “Category 5” storm, the strongest-grade storm classification, the CAT5 boasted the strongest alloy at the time, AX05, and featured our original anti-vibration knob.

Hit 150 balls at 50%

The reason for this is because the first 100-150 balls should be hit by only using about half of your usual swing speed and strength. If you begin crushing balls full speed with all your strength you run the risk of cracking the composite bat.

Composite Bat Break-In Tips

To properly break in your composite bat, we recommend taking 150-200 swings playing soft toss or off a tee using real baseballs. Start off by swinging at about 50% of your typical swing. Slowly work your way up to full strength over the first 100 swings.

What not to do with a composite bat? ›

Also with all composite bats, its it wise to only hit with them in temperatures of 50-85 degrees. Hitting a composite bat in colder temperatures will sometimes cause that barrel to crack. Room temperature (72 degrees) is best for this process. At 50% swing power hit 50 balls off a tee.

Crafted for ultimate power and end-loaded feel, the two-piece CAT9 Connect -3 BBCOR certified bat combines a carbon composite handle with the strengthened, thermally treated AZR alloy barrel.

Multi-Directional Composite

Using advanced aerospace-grade carbon fiber composites and proprietary resin formula, the MDX barrel has a multi-directional pattern that produces an ultra-responsive barrel.

While there are better choices for melee weapons in Cyberpunk 2077, the Gold-Plated Baseball Bat is still a contender for one of the best. Its massive amounts of damage, especially for players who contribute a lot of perks in the Brawler skill tree within the Body attribute, and Bleed effect makes the bat a monster.

On average, the increased size is an added 2.5mm in diameter larger, in comparison to the CAT9, allowing for a more flexible barrel which in turn generates higher overall performance. Both the BBCOR and the Senior League (USSSA) CATX feature Marucci's all new Liquid-Gel Dampening Knob.

The 2024 Marucci CAT X Vanta Drop 10 is the same as the 2024 CAT X Composite Drop 10 form 2023. The only difference is the colorup. Marucci is on a two year cycle with tech but a one year cycle with color ups. The Vanta in USSSA is a sort of blackout version of the CAT X from 2023 which did remarkably well.

All of the kids get good hits with this bat, which makes it great for building confidence, and it's great to see the kids rounding the bases every game! It's a bit on the pricier side, but worth every penny in my opinion.