What is the quick review?
As a drop 12 bat built of a single piece of composite, the Slugger Catalyst is an easy swinging bat with a big barrel. Hitters looking for as much barrel speed and control as possible combined with the feel and power of a one-piece stick, appreciate the Catalyst the most.
What models and sizes are available?
Over the last 3 years, we hit with Louisville Slugger's Catalyst numerous times. We also exchanged a handful of emails with Slugger's design and marketing team, as well as a few major vendors, discussing the bat's usefulness. That data, along with the new information for the 2017 model, comprises our 2017 Louisville Slugger Catalyst Review.
How is it built?
The 2017 Louisville Slugger Catalyst only comes in a drop 12 for the 2 3/4 and 2 5/8 space. The 2016 and 2015 versions were also released in a youth barrel, but not the case with the 2017 version. We are guessing the lack of youth barrel in the 2017 version is due to the industry's move away from 2 1/4 bats for the new USABats standard in 2018.
Notice, as well, the 2 5/8 (top) are designed differently than the 2 3/4 (bottom).
There are no changes between the 2016 and 2017 Slugger Catalyst. That is with the obvious exception of the color change. The bat is still a single-piece C1C composite construction with a good-sized barrel.
Our favorite feature of the Catalyst has always been its tapered knob in a drop 12. For 2017, we are not aware of a single senior barrel or big barrel bat in a drop 12 that also has the tapered lower knob. Some younger players really like that feature, and in some cases, it may be the tipping point in decision making.
