We spent 2 hours in the cage with the new 2016 Mizuno NightHawk baseball bat (Amazon Price Check) and another 1 hour reading online reviews and message forums. We found, on the whole, most are quite a bit excited about this two-piece hybrid from Mizuno and, from the few that have hit with it (including us), we believe it fills a great niche in the lighter swinging hybrid bats market.
Models Overview
We'd recommend the 2016 Mizuno Nighthawk to hitters who prefer two-piece bats yet need or want a lighter swing. Also, those who need or want a bat that still feels stiff but doesn't come with the associated hand sting are looking at the right bat in the 2016 Mizuno Nighthawk.
Comparable Bats
The Nighhawk is fairly unique considering its light swinging hybrid design with variable wall thickness. The only baseball bat we can think of which comes in a two-piece hybrid with variable wall thickness is the 2015 or 2016 Rawlings TRIO. However, the TRIO has an extended composite end cap which gives it a longer barrel (at least in the BBCOR) by about 1 1/2 inches. As well, the TRIO's swing weight, by our calculation, ends up ever so slightly heavier than the 2016 Mizuno Nighthawk. Other similar bats in terms of lighter swinging true hybrids would be the DeMarini NVS Vexxum and the Easton Mako Hybrid.
Expert Recommendations
The 2016 Mizuno Nighthawk might have become a one-hit-wonder had any player actually wondered about it. This was a weird aberration on the Mizuno front with a one year release of the bat and then a transition into the Carbon and Hot Metal series of bats. It was too easily confused with the Nighthawk in their fastpitch line and few ever gave it a chance. In the end, the bat is perfectly reasonable and, you can be sure, you'll never find anyone else with this bat.
