There is no better sound in baseball than the crack of a wood bat. Since the very beginning, wood baseball bats have changed and evolved drastically over the last 100 years. In today’s game, professional players have a plethora of options to choose from when picking their perfect wood bat. With so many different styles, wood types, and cuts, choosing the right bat for your swing and style of play can be overwhelming. Let’s take a deep dive into what the best of the best in the MLB are swinging to give you a better understanding of what wood baseball bat will better match up to your swing and style of play when you step up into the box this season.
The Best Professional Wood Bats for 2022
Victus FT23 Fernando Tatis Pro Reserve
One of the most electrifying young players in the game right now is Fernando Tatis Jr. His weapon of choice at the plate is the Victus TATIS23, an end-loaded stick built for power and performance. This TATIS23 cut is similar to the AP5, but with a slightly larger barrel. The TATIS23 Features a flared knob, medium handle and large barrel with a gloss galaxy gray barrel/ grit flame handle. If you are a middle of the order power hitter, looking to add pop to your game, then the Victus TATIS23 could be the bat for you.
Old Hickory 28NA Nolan Arenado Steel Pressed Maple
For hitters looking for a balanced wood bat, there isn’t a bat more balanced in Old Hickory’s line up than the 28NA Old Hickory. Nolan Arenados game model 28NA is a hybrid of the J154 barrel and the KG1 handle which gives this bat a medium taper, thin handle, and a flared knob. This bat is also steel pressed which makes the wood grains more compact for a stiffer feel and higher exit velocities. Contact hitters looking for bat control with added power will love how this bat feels when they swing it.
Arguably one of the best players in the game right now is Mike Trout. His weapon of choice, The Old Hickory MT27, is one of the most popular models in the Old Hickory arsenal. It has a longer barrel thanks to the short taper which gives this bat a large sweet spot. This model is also available with a steel pressed finish. We would recommend this bat for all type of players. Both power and contact hitters should excell at the dish with the Old Hickory MT27.
Chandler RA13 Ronald Acuna Jr.
The RA13 Chandler bat closely resembles Acuna’s actual game model cut. This model has a long barrel for an increased contact area and the handle is thicker to feel like the handle on a metal bat. Chandler Bats are specifically known for their durability and longevity. Contact hitters looking for more pop and power, as well as power hitters looking for more control, should defnitely consider the Chandler RA13 "El Abusador" for their next season.
The JC24 is Victus’ most balanced bat in their line up. This bat, like the RA13 chandler, has a more metal bat like handle with a slight flare to have something to rest your hand on. It does have a slightly shorter barrel than some other bats which decreases the size of the sweet spot, but still performs very well. If you are a top of the order hitter looking to maximize swing velocity and bat control the Victus JC24 could be your bat of choice.
Marruci Lindy Black Francisco Lindor
Francisco Lindor has made a name for himself for being a hitter that hits both for average and power. The Marucci Lindy 12 was specifically designed for that style of play. The Lindy12 has a balanced swing weight with a medium sized barrel. It’s perfect for contact hitters and recommended for those experienced in swinging wood. The thin handle and flared knob make this bat very easy to swing and control. The all black colorway with the gold marucci accents make this bat a must have for your next woodbat season or tournament.
Louisville Slugger RA13 Ronald Acuna Jr.
Being named Rookie of the Year and winning a Silver Slugger in your first two years in the league is no small feat. Ronald Acuna’s game model , The RA13, is made from a combination of the AJ10 handle and the I13 barrel with a flared knob. This unique cut is quickly becoming one of the most sought after bats in the maple bat category. A sweet spot this big with only a slight end loaded feel will make this a great option for both contact and power hitters alike.
Pete Alonso has jumped onto the professional scene by not only setting the rookie HR record with 50, but also winning the HR derby in 2019. Dove Tail’s PA20 is a yellow birch bat that is designed for middle of the order power hitters. The PA20 Dove tail has a big and long barrel which gives it the end loaded feel that elite power hitters love. The yellow birch wood adds a little more durability and the swing weight is ideal for players looking to go from warning track to light tower power.
Arguably the best power hitter in major league baseball right now would have to be Aaron Judge. Judge’s AJ99 from Chandler Bats boasts one of the largest and longest sweet spots for any maple bat. Suprisingly The AJ99 is not as endloaded as one would think for having a barrel that massive. The AJ99 was designed for top tier power hitters looking to take their game to the next level.
The Dove Tail I13 cut is a combo of the AP5 handle and a 243 barrel. It has a more balanced swing weight for hitters who want to max out on swing velocity. Like the PA20 the I13 is also a yellow birch wood bat. Contact hitters looking to make an impact this season should consider this balanced birch bat.
The Atlanta Braves' top young prospect , Christian Pache, swings a yellow birch B45. B45 bats have been known for their top quality birch lumber and the Premium Magic14 is no exception. Contact hitters will love the feel and swing weight of this B45 bat, and we rank it as one of the best balanced bats for our 2022 wood bat line up.
Specifically designed for the #1 overall draft pick Carlos Correa, this Chandler CC13 has a barrel of an end loaded bat but still has a balanced feel. It has a long barrel and a soft curved knob for an unmatched feel and grip for sturdy hands. The CC13 would be a great option for either contact or power hitters looking to add more control and power to their swings this season.
The CB271is Chandler Bat's version of the 271 cut. One of the most popular would bat cuts for balanced and contact type players. Elite hitters looking for optimal bat control and swing velocity should consider the Chandler C271 cut as a top option for 2022.
Kris Bryant was one of the reasons the Cubs were finally able to get off the snide and win a World Series in 2016. The KB17 is specifially designed for for power hitters since its slightly end loaded. It has a thin handle with a quick taper that gives this bat a long and big barrel. If you’re looking for a heavier bat to hit bombs like Kris Bryant then this is the bat for you.
Louisville Slugger CY22 Christian Yelich
The Brewers power hitting right fielder Christian Yelich used The CY22 to capture the NL MVP in 2018. The CY22 is another end loaded wood bat that has a short taper to give this one a longer barrel with a medium barrel size. The EXOPRO finish on the prime signature series is a high quality finish that will extend the life and durability of your bat. IF you a re a middle of the order hitter looking for medium barrel and slight end loaded feel then definitely try the Slugger CY22 out for size.
Louisville Slugger EJ74 Eloy Jiminez
Young White Sox standout Eloy Jimenez and his MLB Prime Signature Series EJ74 are ready for the dawn of a new era on the South Side. This natural handle and black barrel stick pairs the iconic handle and knob of the C271 with the medium barrel design of the S318 in a powerful combination. Contact hitters will love the control, and power hitters will love the sweetspot and feel of the Slugger EJ74.
Louisville Slugger CB35 Cody Bellinger
Dodgers superstar Cody Bellinger and his MLB Prime Signature Series CB35 are built for the brightest lights and biggest moments. The reigning National League MVP is back for more with this large-barrel bat that has a perfect end-loaded feel. Don't sleep on the all-natural look and black Seamless Decals - this is a bat made by and for the game's best slugger. Power hitters who love a large barrel and sweet spot with and endloaded swing weight will have to consider the CB35 for their next wood bat season.
Take your game to new heights with the Victus TA7 Pro Reserve maple wood bat. This Victus Tim Anderson bat is built for premium pop with an end-loaded swing feel and major whip action through the zone. The Tim Anderson Victus wood bat features a flared knob, medium handle, and a large barrel. Victus' gloss black/natural colorway with gold chrome detailing can be found exclusively on this Victus TA7. The gold Victus label glistens in the light when this bat is flipped.
Marucci Bringer of Rain Josh Donaldson
The Marucci Bringer of Rain is designed for tape measure home runs. Designed by MLB slugger Josh Donaldson this Marucci bat features a large barrel and thin handle which create a slightly end loaded feel that power hitters love. Cleanup hitters across the diamond will love how the Marucci Bringer of Rain feels when they step into the box.
Exploding across the wood bat scene, the J143M Old Hickory is one of the most popular maple wood bats in baseball. This well-balanced Old Hickory bat is built for power with premium pop. The Old Hickory J143M bat features a standard knob, thin handle, and a medium barrel. Old Hickory's modified 243 turning style with the black colorway and chrome label can be found exclusively on this J143M Old Hickory Pro Maple Wood Bat. Contact hitters looking for more swing velocity and bat control should definitely consider the Old Hickory J143M before their next wood bat game or tournament.
Want to know more about wood bat types like maple, birch, and ash? Then click here. If you are still unsure what wood bat would be best for your game, then we highly recommend you try it before you buy it in one of our 2 retail stores. You can take any wood bat and step up to the plate with one of our three Hittrax Batting Simulators to gauge your exit velo, launch angle, and distance. This process is hands down the best way to gaurentee you will find the ideal wood bat for your swing and play style.