As we’ve already done with some of the other big brands, we wanted to do a breakdown of the new Easton 2020 BBCOR bats.
If you’d like to check out some of the releases by other brands you can see the articles below:
With last years bats experiencing mixed reviews, it will be interesting to see how Easton bounces back in the market place. They have been a big name for many years but bats like the Meta Prime and Demarini’s Voodoo Balanced really seemed to overshadow the 2019 line.
These things happen and every company has had a few bats go bust over the years. Innovation doesn’t always work in your favor. What it’s all about, however, is the response.
Put something in hitters hands that they can’t help but love. That is the ultimate goal.
Let’s see what Easton has put together for the 2020 line of BBCOR bats!
Table of Contents
2020 Easton ADV 360 BBCOR
- Launch Comp - Launch Composite Technology combined with 360 Engineering for 360 degrees of barrel-tuned precision, optimizes the barrel profile and pushes the limits of performance
- 2-Piece is CXN construction - New lighter is Conation made with proprietary Nitro cell foam isolates the handle from the barrel for a solid feel and more power through the zone
- Power Boost - Patent-pending "Soft Knob" technology provides hitters more leverage and power potential, while reducing vibration and improving comfort for the bottom hand
- DFS Carbon Handle - The new Dynamic Feel System carbon handle is built from 90% carbon fiber creating an extra stiff handle, designed to provide best in class feel
Once again the ADV 360 (minus the “Project 3”) is the signature bat of the 2020 line. It is a two-piece composite bat that Easton describes as “pro balanced.” This basically means this bat will swing heavy with more mass moved towards the barrel.
Also called “end loaded” by some.
The “360” in the name refers to the technology being applied around the entire length and circumference of the barrel. This ensures that no matter which side of the bat you make contact the feel and performance will be consistent.
Easton listened to their customers as one of the main complaints from the 2019 model was the bulky connection piece. This year they have streamlined the iSo conneXion piece and given it a lighter and slimmer look. It is constructed from Nitrocell foam and isolates the barrel from the handle for ultimate comfort through the zone.
The DFS handle is made from 90% carbon. This allows for an ultra stiff handle. A lot of hitters like this feature because a stiff handle ensures that as much energy as possible is being transferred to the baseball on contact.
The ADV 360, and all of the 2020 bats, are equipped with the Power Boost soft knob. This is an interesting piece but not particularly new. The 2019 models had this as well.
The soft knob is designed to diminish some of the impact on a players hand and palm. Particularly for those that like to place their pinky on top of the knob. This could possibly decrease the risk of a hook of hamate fracture which so many players have experienced.
Finally, this bat comes standard with a Lizard Skin grip. I love these grips and they provide a ton of cushion and tack.
The ADV 360 is available in lengths of 30” – 34”.
2020 Easton Maxum 360 BBCOR
- 1-piece Seamless Carbon Construction combined with 360 Engineering for 360 degrees of barrel-tuned precision, provides pure flexural energy, uniform barrel strength and max performance from knob to...
- Computer-controlled precision molding technology produces an ultra-consistent, lightweight wall for optimal performance in every swing
- Speed balanced swing weight provides optimized balance point for fast swing speed
- 1-piece XXL barrel is the longest barrel in the game with a massive sweet spot
The Maxum 360 is the premium 1-piece bat in the 2020 line. The Maxum name comes from “Combat” which is a company that was producing their own line of bats up until 2019.
PSG, the parent company that owns Easton, purchased Combat around 2013. In 2017 the CEO announced that they would be restructuring their baseball and softball divisions.
Essentially what this meant was Easton ended up absorbing the Combat line and releasing some of the technology that consumers were used to under the Easton brand. The most popular of which was the Maxum bat.
Just like the ADV 360, the barrel has 360 technology and is made of seamless carbon. Easton calls this bat “speed balanced” As you may expect it will have a light feel for maximum bat speed and control through the zone.
Easton claims that the XXL barrel is the longest in the game and possesses the largest sweet spot. This is one of the few 1-piece composite bats on the market. So far most of the reviews have been really encouraging.
Once again we see the soft knob and Lizard Skin grips standard on the 2020 Maxum.
This bat is available in lengths of 30” to 34”
2020 Easton Fuze 360 BBCOR
- ATAC Alloy - Advanced Thermal Alloy Construction reinforced with Carbon-Core technology and 360 Engineering for 360 degrees of barrel tuned precision for the thinnest walls in the game, pushing the...
- 2-piece ConneXion+ Hybrid design combines a stiff Launch Comp Carbon handle with ATAC Alloy barrel. Built with Nitrocell foam for a lighter and better feeling connection between the handle and barrel.
- Forged Composite Cap - Lighter and stiffer composite end cap increases barrel trampoline and provides a Speed Balanced feel
- Power Boost - Patent-pending "Soft Knob" technology provides hitters more leverage and power potential, while reducing vibration and improving comfort for the bottom hand
The 2020 Easton Fuze has a lot to improve from the 2019 model.
There were a lot of complaints about the performance, feel and durability of the 2019 Fuze. Again, Easton seems to be listening to their customers because they’ve made some significant changes.
The Fuze 360 is no longer a 1-piece aluminum bat with a composite end cap. This year they’ve opted for a hybrid design. A big reason may be that there are already some really popular 1-piece bats such as the Louisville Slugger Solo that have a pretty strong hold on this category.
The barrel is constructed of ATAC alloy and reinforced with Carbon Core technology. Just as it’s 2020 counterparts, the Fuze has the 360 technology that Easton has been highlighting.
The Nitrocell foam construction of the conneXion piece connects the alloy barrel to the composite carbon handle. This helps this bat to have a very low MOI and swing very light!
The composite end cap lowers the swing weight as well. This is great for hitters that prefer speed and control.
The Fuze 360 comes in lengths of 31” to 34”
2020 Easton Alpha 360 BBCOR
- 1-piece ATAC Alloy - Advanced Thermal Alloy Construction reinforced with Carbon-Core technology and 360 Engineering for 360 degrees of barrel tuned precision for the thinnest walls in the game,...
- Speed Cap provides a more flexible and responsive barrel with a natural sound on impact
- VRSCOR handle insert reinforces the handle to create solid feel on contact
- Power balanced swing weight provides optimized barrel length and balance point with more mass in the barrel for added power
The Alpha 360 is the 1-piece alloy offering from Easton. It is power balanced and is going to swing heavier than both the Maxum and the Fuze. This means that there is a little more mass in the barrel.
1-piece bats are typically preferred due to their stiffness and power. The one drawback, however, is that they can really struggle with vibrations on mishits.
Don’t despair, Easton has a piece of technology called the VRSCOR to deal with these vibrations. This reinforces the handle and gives a solid feel on contact regardless of where you hit it on the barrel.
Just like the Fuze barrel it is constructed of ATAC alloy reinforced with carbon core. The Speed Cap allows for the power balanced feel as well as a more flexible barrel.
The Alpha 360 is available in lengths of 29” to 34”. This makes it a great option for younger players that are swinging BBCOR bats for the first time.
Just keep in mind that it is going to swing slightly “heavier” than a balanced bat so the length may be important.
Conclusion
Overall I’m really impressed with the bats Easton put together for 2020. They listened to their customers and made changes where it was obviously necessary.
This isn’t always the easiest or most efficient thing to do, but to me it’s a sign of a company that is willing to do what they can to “get it right.”
So far the consensus seems to be that these bats are going to be a really popular option for 2020.
