What is the quick review?
Overall we think the 2015 is an improvement over the 2014 version. The larger barrel and bigger sweet spot give this two-piece hybrid bat a very similar feel to a two-piece composite.
However, if you plan to afford them, we are still fans of composite barrels in light swinging little league two-piece bats for no other reason than the composite allows for the lightest swing weight and better balance control. We also appreciate the lasting pop that composite allows in the 1.15 BPF era of regulation. (This is not necessarily our stance in the BBCOR regulation bat realm). Yet if there was ever a bat to change our mind on these fronts, due to its increased aluminum barrel size without weight change, the 2015 Easton S2 with its Hyperlite alloy barrel may very well do it.
What models and sizes are available?
The Easton Power Brigade line is back in 2015 with the usual suspects. The Speed (S), XL, and MAKO lines will once again grace the plates of little leagues, high school and colleges around the country. Of course the big news is the MAKO TORQ with its spinning handle, but here we focus on the Easton S2.
How does it compare?
A 2015 Easton S2, like the 2014 version, will be a two-piece bat with a composite handle and an aluminum barrel. The bat also uses Easton's CXN connective technology, which is basically a rubber slug inserted underneath the transition between the handle and barrel. Easton has this technology patented and it has been exclusive to Easton two-piece bats for several years now.
Different than the 2014 S2, the 2015 version does have an updated aluminum alloy in the barrel called HyperLite Matrix. Easton claims this gives them the ability to make a larger barrel without affecting swing weight and durability.
From our observation, the barrel on the 2015 S2 is larger than the 2014 S2. As well, the 2015 S2 swing weight is very similar to the 2014 model. It is too early to tell if the durability is also improved or sustained but we have no reason to suspect Easton's was not able to accomplish this.
Unlike the 2014 version, the 2015 version does lack some sizing (at least at release). Currently, the bat is only offered in a big barrel drop 10 and a 2 1/4 drop 13. We suspect, at some point, at least, a BBCOR will be added.
