The 2016 Easton MAKO XL (Amazon Price Check) is a two-piece composite bat built with an end load. It is the third heaviest swing Easton makes behind the Z-Core XL and Z-Core Hybrid XL. The bat's two-piece design is based on the same chassis as the famed Easton MAKO so it carries the same oversized barrel and peak performance. For sure, the 2016 MAKO XL is a top-shelf performance composite built at the edge of allowable limits.
Models Overview
The bat is built for hitters who appreciate big swings and can appreciate the balance of the bat feeling more towards the knob than the hands.
Performance Comparison
In 2015, the end-loaded two-piece composite from Easton took a split. The Senior League and BBCOR versions continued with the XL1 name while the little league version took the new expanded MAKO barrel onto an endloaded two-piece composite and called it the MAKO XL. Previous to that split, the Easton Omen was Easton's response to those players looking for a composite barrel in a bigger swinging bat.
For 2016, Easton has abandoned the XL1 name altogether for the MAKO XL name. With that change, all bats are formerly known as the XL1 come with an expanded barrel size like the MAKO XL upgrade in Little League from 2014 to 2015.
Comparable Bats
There are not many bats in the 2016 class which attempt to be an end load for a two-piece composite. In fact, we can't quite think of any. What may be the most legit competition is a drop 8 or drop 5 DeMarini's CF8. But the CF8 in BBCOR and a drop 10, 11 or 12 in Senior and Youth barrels better equate to the Easton MAKO, not the MAKO XL.
If you are looking for an end-loaded two-piece composite bat in BBCOR may we suggest the MAKO TORQ XL (which is this same bat but with a rotating handle)? Or, if you're reaching deep, maybe try a CF8 or 916 Prime in a longer size as a change in length affects the swing weight in the same manner as a change in balance point.
If none of those options sound appealing, then you realize what we do to The 2016 Easton MAKO XL is in a sizing class of its own.
Overall grade: A
Overall grade: A
Overall grade: A-
