2016 Easton S2 Review

We expect this to be the last year the S2 is made by Easton in any form---at least for a while. The MAKO Z-Core Hybrid and its larger barrel appear to be taking over the hybrid game on the Easton front. We don't hate the 2016 Easton S2---its been a mainstay and was a rather successful bat in 2014---but it's hard to say it's one of our favorites. Players who want an aluminum barrel tend to be advanced hitters who can deal with a generally smaller barrel and an end load feel. But the S2 is a balanced swinging bat built for younger players looking for as much opportunity to hit the ball as possible. As such, players in that category tend to appreciate the larger barrels, and generally lower swing weight, found on composite bats these days making the appropriate market for the 2016 Easton S2 rather small. As well, the fact the 2015 version is identical in all things but the grip and color when compared to the S2 make it's nearly impossible to recommend the 2016 when 2015 can be found less expensive as suppliers unload inventory.

As we stated above, the 2016 Easton S2 is a two-piece hybrid bat consisting of a carbon handle and aluminum alloy barrel. This is the same makeup of the Easton S2 since it's origination in 2014. The connective piece, like all of Easton's two-piece bats, consists of a stiff transition welding Easton refers to as CXN.

There are virtually no performance differences between the 2015 Easton S2 and the 2016 Easton S2. (Nor, for that matter, were there any differences in the 2014 S2 and the 2015 S2). The bat continues to be a hybrid bat (composite handle, aluminum barrel) with a low swing weight. Built for players looking for bat speed over bat power. The 2016 version of the S2 does have a new grip that Easton added to most of its 2016 performance bats. Of course, the paint job is different too.