On October 20th, the 2017 Louisville Slugger 617 Solo was released. We spent time on the phone with major vendors discussing expectations for the bat as well as testing the bat over the course of a season. Here is our review.
Construction & Technology
The 2017 Louisville Slugger 617 Solo is a single piece hybrid bat. We are not sure if we made up that categorization of bats in general, but we think it fitting for the 617. The bat is a single piece aluminum through the entire barrel, but has a composite end cap. This composite end cap can influence two significant things:
- The strength of the barrel, especially toward the end cap, is significantly affected by the strength of the end cap. A composite end cap can be honed for maximum durability. Slugger's claim is the 617 optimized that feature. That optimization is directly correlated with how large the barrel can be---another key feature Slugger touts on the 617.
- A lighter end cap means lighter swing weight. This is also the claim with the 617 Solo. A lighter end cap delivers a balance point more toward the hands. In turn, greater bat speed and more bat control.
Performance Comparison
There was no last year's version of the 617 Solo. It is the first of the single piece hybrid bats Slugger has made.
Comparable Bats
The advancement of single piece hybrid bats have been the most robust in the entire industry. The 617 is Slugger's response to the demand of players looking for a single piece feel without losing the swing weight and barrel size of a two piece composite.
Other companies have tried similar ideas. The VELO from Rawlings, it could be argued, pioneered the space of single piece bats with composite end cap. Axe Bats also produces a single piece aluminum bat with a composite end cap. Those two stand out, at least on paper, as similar constructions to the 617 Solo from Slugger. Time will tell us much more in terms of durability, performance and player uptake.
Expert Recommendations
As we are yet to hit with the bat, or get its swing weight and barrel measurements, it is difficult to give full blown recommendations. When more details are gathered we will give stronger recommendations.
