The all new Marucci CATX composite BBCOR model is a two piece composite construction.
It can be considered a great competitor to the Slugger Meta, DeMarini CF and Quatro Pro.
Marucci makes great bats that are durable and perform greatas well.
I would say if you love Marucci bats then this is the bat to care about.
Here comes the successor of the hottest USSSA bat ever, i.e Marucci CAT 9 Composite.
Now talking about the CATX composite USSSA, it is indeed quite similar to the CAT 9 composite.
But performs slightly better than CAT 9 when completely broken in.
There are innovations like tapered handle and barrel and more.
It's gonna sell like hot cakes for sure. You need to break-in CATX Composite to unlock its full potential.
Marucci has also launched a coach pitch CATX composite bat which is also very hot.
The sound, sweet spot and durabilty everything is on point.
There is no compromise with the CAT X even in the coach pitch USSSA bat.
Junior Baseball Bat/Coach Pitch
Overview
Marucci CATX Composite bat, also known as CAT 10 is a two piece all-composite construction bat, evenly balanced, lightweight and hits dingers.
This is not an old bat with the new paint job but it is improved in terms of construction, performance and sound too.
Marucci CATX Composite 2023 full review
Does it feel good in hand or vibrates when mishit?
The BBCOR CATX is a lightweight and very balanced two piece baseball bat made especially for contact hitters.
You are not going to feel vibrations when you mishit the ball and the sweet spot is also quite bigger.
It is so much lighter and balanced that it'll be able to please much larger audience that hit with a lightweight and balanced bat.
Players are loving the taper on handle and the grip which is super sticky.
The USSSA version of the Marucci CATX is the best senior big barrel USSSA bat in the lineup this year.
The overall in hand feel of the bat can be defined similarly as the BBCOR one. People are loving the grip tape of the bat.
The balance of the bat is so good and feels so much lightweight that you are gonna swing it much faster and harder.
How does it Perform?
CATX BBCOR performs quite good for a two piece composite bat not the best but really great.
Since, the 2023 Slugger meta and DeMarini CF is still not launched we could not completely say that it performs best but so far it has been great.
The lighweight, balanced swing weight, huge sweet spot and ding sound makes it a great performer in the BBCOR lineup.
USSSA CATX's performance can be defined as, 'we've not seen a bat hotter than this one'.
We don't care what others say but we declare it that hottest baseball bat in the USSSA lineup in the year 2023.
How good is its Construction?
The CATX Composite has some construction upgrades that the CAT 9 Composite did not have.
The 2 5/8 inches barrel is still made with the multi-directional composite material, however there are some changes to the barrel profile which helps in more balanced and faster swings.
Other features like, Mid-balanced barrel, OLS Connection, Ring free barrel construction and Micro-Perforated grip remain the same as CAT9 composite.
So what are the upgrades in the all new 2023 Marucci CATX Composite?
New custom-molded handle taper ergonomically designed for each drop ratio provides better fit and more bat control while swinging.
Another change made to this bat is - S40 Stiff composite handle which transfers more energy from athlete to the ball and makes the handle almost 8-10% stiffer than the CAT9 Composite BBCOR Bat.
For the USSSA CATX Marucci has made similar changes that are made to the BBCOR CATX.
The two piece composite construction has a mid-balanced barrel just like the Slugger Meta's have.
Features that the prior model did not have are as follows- Custom molded taper designed for each drop ratio bat that gives better in hand feel and more bat control the the batter.
Handle made with S-40 composite is stiffer and transfers more energy from the batter to ball for a better and enhanced performance.
Barrel-profile is also fine tuned along with a slightly bigger barrel and bigger sweet spot on the barrel.
Apart from these all other features remain same as the CAT9 Composite.
Is it Durable Enough?
Marucci Bats are known for its long lasting construction, especially the CAT series barely get any mark on the barrel after years of usage.
So far, CATX BBCOR has not received any complaints regarding the durability.
However, CAT series usually don't get complaints about the durability issues but this time USSSA CATX has got some issues with the paint.
The paint starts chipping earlier than it should be, other than that everything is just great.
Is this bat Value for the money?
Having so much being said about the CATX composite, now comes the question. Is it worth spending so much money?
The Answer can be Yes and NO
BBCOR CATX is the mid-balanced bat like the Meta bats are, but the price is not lower than meta either. People who like Meta can go for meta and CAT series lover can prefer CATX
USSSA CATX 2023 is very similar to the CAT9 when compared side by side but stiffer and lighter, Overall it is the best USSSA baseball bat of the year and definitely Value for your money.
Bat Sizing options
2023 CAT 10 Composite BBCOR lineup sizing options are as follows:
- 31’’/ 28oz
- 32’’/ 29oz
- 33’’/ 30oz
- 34’’/ 31oz
Size option in USSSA CF are based on drop ratio you select.
-10 Drop Ratio
28"/18 oz
29"/19 oz
30"/20 oz
31"/21 oz
-8 Drop Ratio
28"/20 oz
29"/21 oz
30"/22 oz
31"/23 oz
32"/24 oz
-5 Drop Ratio
30"/25 oz
31"/26 oz
32"/27 oz
33"/28 oz
Who is recommended to use Marucci CATX Composite bat?
For players who want a mid-loaded composite baseball bat should go for it, it can be a great alternative to the DeMarini CF and Slugger meta.
In USSSA lineup; if you loved the CAT 9 comp. then keep in mind that CAT X comp is a little bit lighter than CAT 9 Composite and little stiffer/rigid as well
It is suitable for those:
- Both Contact and Power hitters who like mid-balanced feel
- Who are not bothered with the composite barrel.
- Players who prefer a great in hand feel.
- Prefer large barrel bats with large sweet spot
- Okay with the 150 to 200 swings to completely break-in bat.
- Like a light-weight and balanced bat and faster swings.
Marucci CATX Comp 2023 vs 2022 CAT 9 Comp [BBCOR/USSSA]
The construction differences in both bats in either of the lineups is the S40 composite barrel, custom molded tapered handle and slightly fine tuned barrel profile.
While swinging the differences we found out are; In BBCOR, there are negligible differences except the in hand feel and the paint chipping problem.
In USSSA we found out the CATX comp to be slightly lighter and stiffer than the CAT9 comp/CAT 9 comp Pastime.
Similar Bats to Compare
Due to its mid-balanced feel, light weight and composite barrel it can be compared with whole lot of bats out there.
Here we've listed only the top competitors.
2023 Louisville Slugger Meta
2023 Marucci CATX Connect
Final Verdict
Marucci CATX Composite BBCOR can compete with the best composite BBCOR bats out there and with the trust and durability of Marucci CAT series it could have conquered there but due to paint chipping, I doubt that's going to happen.
But in the USSSA line-up it does not seem that paint chipping is happening, people are enjoying the hot and lightweight bat but still most of them think the price is on the higher side.
