BY CHRISTIAN DUNBAR
Since most people tend to associate the top power hitters with big barreled models, we thought it would be interesting to find what the top National League power guys are swinging today. As you can see below there are various types of models being used that achieve the same LOUD results.
Kris Bryant
KB17 (Chandler, Marucci, Victus)
Photo: @geminikeez
Video game numbers. On June 27 Kris Bryant made history, becoming the first MLB player to hit three homers and two doubles IN A SINGLE GAME. The KB17 is his bat of choice. He has several variations, all of which are derived from a 243 profile. Most of the changes have to do with top and bottom thickness of the handle. According to Marucci:
Its a little smaller on the top hand and a little bigger on the bottom 2 fingers.
Nolan Arenado
Old Hickory 34”/31.5oz 28NA
This El Toro High School product has been crushing the ball all season. If he continues at this pace (currently at 23 bombs) he should have his second consecutive 40 home run campaign. Nolan Arenado swings an Old Hickory 34”/31.5oz 28NA (his custom cut). The 28NA combines a long 141 barrel and a flared 271 type knob.
The NA28 is not available yet online but the closest alternative can be found here.
Adam Duvall
Louisville Slugger C243 34.5″/31.5oz (-2) Birch
Adam Duvall, a University of Louisville Cardinal, has been one of the biggest suprises of 2016. He only trails Arenado by one homerun (20). Duvall’s weapon of choice is a 34″/31.5oz (-2) Birch Louisville Slugger C243. Many players are switching to Birch because it is lighter and allows manufactures to make the bigger barreled models while staying at a swingable weight.
The C243 in birch is not available but the Maple version is.
Chris Carter
Chandler CC14, MC1
Former Astro and current Milwaukee Brewer Chris Carter has been at the top in homers the past three years. He swings a CC14 which combines a P100 barrel (very similar to a 243) with a 271L handle and knob.
The CC14 is not available online but the closest alternative is the P100. We also saw Carter with the MC1, which is a copy of Miggy’s SamBat turning model.
Yoenis Cespedes
YC72, YC3.1, other variations) Victus and Chandler
La Potencia (“The Power”) is Cespedes’ nickname and rightfully so. Tape measure jobs seem to be a daily task for Yo. Yoenis Cespedes swings his own custom turn (YC72, YC3.1, other variations) from two brands, Victus and Chandler. Cespedes’ bat has a long AP5 like barrel with a thin handle.
Cespedes’ custom model is not available online. The closest bat that is can be purchased—the Victus AP5.
We’ve also seen Cespedes swing a DTM7, which according to Chandler’s website:
Based off the JR7 model, the DTM7 enables hitters to maximize whip thru the hitting zone. This model offers balance with a slightly longer than average barrel size. A sharp taper into a slightly thinner handle ends with a medium flare to the standard sized knob. This is a good bat choice for players of all hitting styles transitioning from metal to wood.
Trevor Story
Old Hickory ML1 33.75″/31.5 oz
Story started the year hitting 10 homeruns in just 21 games. He’s still killing it in his first MLB season. His bat of choice is the Old Hickory ML1. It combines a 110 barrel with a 271 handle—Story is the only one in baseball with this bat, which combines two balanced turning models.
The ML1 is not available online but the closest turn model is the Old Hickory JC1.
*Note: Even though most of these models are not available online, most can be ordered over the phone.
Bryce Harper
From our post on Bryce Harper’s 4 Favorites:
BHARP34
The BHARP34 is a combination of three models, and as for as we know is only made by TUCCI. The barrel is the the length of a standard YP66 (Yasiel Puig model) with a modified diameter.This allows them to use denser wood which in turn creates a harder bat. The handle is medium in size and the knob is a combination of a flared and traditional knob. This hybrid knob with a slight flare creates even more whip than the end-loaded BHARP34 would generate on its own. He swings this in 34/31.5 (-2.5).
This bat model is not available from Tucci but the most similar turn can be purchased here.
CU7
The CU7 seems to be a favorite for Bryce. It is a variation of the CU26 model (the majority of his bats are). It features a thin handle and a medium to large barrel that is very long. There are slight tweaks in the taper and barrel diameter that only are millimeters different than the original CU26. The knob is the standard small CU26 knob which allows him to wrap his pinky. He tends to swing this model in 34/32 (-2)
Marucci does not make this bat model for retail currently but the closest turn can be purchased here.
DTB does not make this bat model for the public but the closest alternative for purchase can be found here.
BH137.1
The BH137.1 is a CU7 with a modification to the bottom of the knob that creates whip. This model is also very end loaded (most if not all models he swings are are). This model is also swung in 34/32 (-2).
The most similar bat Victus makes for the public can be purchased here.
BH34
The BH34 is a CU26 with a smaller cup to increase weight on the barrel to make the bat feel more end-loaded. Bryce swings this bat with measurements of 34/32 (-2).
The most similar bat from Marucci can be found here.
Tucci makes this turn for the public and can be purchased here.
