We'd recommend the 2016 Easton Z-Core Hybrid (Price Check*) to players who not only prefer a performance aluminum barrel for it's hot out of the wrapper peak power but also appreciate the lack of hand sting a two piece hybrid delivers.
Models Overview
We'd recommend the bat to those looking for a slightly heavier swinging bat with a monster aluminum barrel from a brand name they can trust.
Construction & Technology
The 2016 Easton Z-Core Hybrid bat is a two-piece bat built with a composite handle and aluminum barrel. The aluminum barrel has a composite sleeve inside which gives it the strength and durably to be severely oversized. This is a good thing. As a result, the Easton Z-Core Hybrid is one of the largest swinging hybrid bats on the market.
Comparable Bats
The most comparable bat on the market, when compared to the 2016 Easton MAKO Z-Core, is the 2015 S2z. The S2z is also from Easton. Such similarity exists because the MAKO Z-Core is the new generation of the s2z and, hence, takes the place of the S2z in the BBCOR lineup for 2016.
Outside the Easton brand, a light swinging two-piece hybrid bat can be found in the DeMarini Vexxum and TRIO. But neither of those have the enlarged barrel the Easton Z-Core does.
Expert Recommendations
Like the 2015 S2z, the Easton Z-Core Hybrid will use a spiraled designed carbon fiber handle to decrease sting on mishits and add to a buttery swing.
The swing weight of the bat measures 10% heavier than the very light swinging 2016 Mako, but about 15% lighter than the Z-Core XL version.
