The Verdict: 4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
15 Reviews
| Options Available: |
|---|
| 31" 28 oz. - Check Price |
| 32" 29 oz. - Check Price |
| 32.5" 29.5 oz. - Check Price |
| 33" 30 oz. - Check Price |
| 33.5" 30.5 oz. - Check Price |
| 34" 31 oz. - Check Price |
The 2017 Rawlings Velo BBCOR is one of the best answers to a rather vexing trend in baseball these days: pitchers are throwing faster.
There was a time when throwing pitches in the 90+ mph range was exceptional.
Nowadays, it’s becoming an everyday occurrence. And that’s a troubling situation for many hitters.
The problem is obvious from a hitter’s stand point. A fast pitch needs less time before it hits the catcher’s mitts.
So hitters have less time to react to the ball.
And also, they need a bat to get to the proper spot in the strike zone very quickly.
Often, the ball may already be in the catcher’s mitt before you even decide to swing!
Let’s see what we can find out about the features of this bat in the next section.
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Features of the 2017 Rawlings Velo BBCOR baseball bat
Here are some features that you will find interesting:
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First and foremost, this is BBCOR-certified. If you’re going to play in official high school and college leagues, this is the most important attribute you need to check.
You simply can’t afford to use any bat if there’s a doubt that it doesn’t comply with official BBCOR guidelines.
Without this certification, a bat is literally useless for official play.
So what that also means is that it comes with a -3 drop weight ratio and the barrel measures 2 5/8-inches.
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It’s also available in a lot of different sizes. Most manufacturers offer 4 different sizes in 1-inch increments for their BBCOR bats, ranging from 31 inches (28 ounces) to 34 inches (31 ounces).
But Rawlings offers this bat with additional 32.5-inch and 33.5-inch options.
What that means is that you can get the size that’s exactly right for your needs. You don’t have to make do.
You don’t have to make tiny adjustments. With these half-inch increments, you can get one that’s perfect for your hitting style.
It’s like getting a perfectly-fitting pair of shoes. You can run faster and feel better, and you don’t feel any pain.
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This bat offers awesome balance. That’s surprising in a 1-piece bat. That balance is further improved by the new fiber reinforcements in the Silver Comp Lite composite end cap.
It’s an improvement on the Comp-Lite Composite End Cap that was used in the previous model.
This kind of balance is terrific when you need absolute control and lightning-fast swings to compensate for MLB-quality fastballs.
It enables you to get to the ball more quickly in the strike zone, and you can direct it to the precise spot you want.
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It also feature the laser Precision-Optimized Performance (p0p 2.0) technology. The already large sweet spot (the size was boosted by 25% in the 2016 version) is made even sweeter as now it has a lasered groove.
This improves the flex and the pop.
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The alloy used in the Rawlings Velo BB7V certainly does have an impressively loud ping.
This is the result of the Rawlings Acoustic Performance Technology.
The ping can signify the amount of force you can send through to the ball, and it can really tell everyone when you hit the ball perfectly.
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The handle also offers a different look and better feel, with a markedly serrated and perforated handle surface.
Balanced or End Loaded?
in the picture: 2017 Rawlings Velo Drop 3
Pros of the New Rawlings Velo Hybrid Balanced BBCOR
So here are the attributes that can tempt you to buy this bat:
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The weight and the balance results in an incredible swing speed. Rawlings has figured out the best ways to cut down on the weight, and it shows.
The even balance improvement also gives you the crucial ability to make sure it goes where you want it to go.
That increases your chance of hitting it perfectly with the sweet spot.
Because of this swing speed, you now have a little more time to track the path of the ball before you decide to take a swing at the pitch.
A bat with a slow swing speed means you need to make up your mind faster, since it takes too long for the bat to get into the strike zone.
Sometimes it feels like you’re just gambling (or taking a swing with your eyes closed). But this time you give yourself a better chance of making contact.
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Other bats that focus on swing speed often fall short on other factors. That’s not the case with the Velo hybrid. This bat also offers a lot of pop.
The sweet spot is large, so you have a great chance of getting a solid hit. You’re more like to send back that ball towards the outfield or the gaps.
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It feels great to grasp too. That handle and grip is quite nice, and it feels like you’re going to hang on to the bat no matter what.
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It looks great too. While appearance isn’t really crucial, for young players you can’t downplay the “coolness factor”.
They want to look cool, and they want cool-looking bats. And this Velo certainly fits the bill. The color and the graphics really appeal to many young men—this looks like a serious bat!
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All of these factors—the swing speed, the distance, the secure grip, and even the looks—all help in boosting your confidence at the plate.
When you have a great bat and you know it, then it can feel like a hit is seemingly inevitable.
You’re less intimidated by the fastballs coming your way. You know that you can get your bat in the right spot in time, and you also know that any contact can result in an audacious “ping” and a fast ball travelling the other way.
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Also, the price is reasonable when you compare it with other new BBCOR bats out there. You’ll have to spend $50 to $100 more with other bats. So what if there are more expensive bats?
It’s not the price tag—it’s the performance. And this performance is certainly worth your while.
See This Amazing 2017 BBCOR Bat Here
How Does It Feel Compared To Similar Bats?
Cons
A side by side comparison of this 2017 Rawlings Velo BBCOR and the previous version reveals that basically, there’s really not much of a difference at all.
It’s true that this new version does have an improved balance, which is the result of the new Silver Comp Lite End Cap. But that seems to be it.
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So if you’re the market for a new BBCOR bat, you will have to find out if the price differential between the two (maybe about $70 to $80) is worth the improvement.
If you’re looking for a bargain, then this 2017 Rawlings Velo BBCOR baseball bat signals the availability of great bargains for the 2016 version.
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And what if you already have the 2016 version? Is it worth the expense of paying a premium price for a bat that’s essentially very similar to what you’re already using?
If it’s all broken down due to too many hits, then maybe an upgrade is justified. But if it still performs well, then maybe not.
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There’s also another issue here that has remained a bit uncorrected. That’s the “sting” you get when you don’t make proper contact with the baseball and it hits outside the sweet spot.
When that happens, you can feel the vibes in your hands. While the large sweet spot and the handle do help minimize the damage, there’s still a little sting there.
2017 Rawlings Velo Drop 3 Video
Verdict on the 2017 Rawlings Velo BBCOR
In the end, buying a bat isn’t really always about being a smart consumer. Sometimes it’s all about getting what’s best for you, because you’re an athlete and you want to perform your best all the time.
At high school and college level, you already know that you’re not just playing a game for kicks.
It’s serious, and people are counting on you to do your best. For college players, it may even be the deciding factor in getting a scholarship that can add thousands of dollars toward your college tuition.
In fact, its similarity to its previous version can be seen as a plus. Some players have always used a Velo ever since they were young, and they plan on using a Velo once they transition to BBCOR play.
The fact that this Velo can feel similar and familiar can make sure that they don’t need to adjust to a new bat all that much.
With its impressive swing speed and massive pop, it’s definitely a keeper.
2017 Rawlings Velo Hybrid BBCOR
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