2018 Easton Beast X Hybrid Review

This is, for all intents and purposes, the new version of the 2017 Easton Z-Core Hybrid. We took the new Beast X Hybrid for a spin in both the BBCOR and USABat versions. That feedback, combined with our experience with the 2017 and 2016 versions of this bat put us in a place to write this 2018 Easton Beast X Hybrid Review.

The 2018 Easton Beast X Hybrid is made from a composite handle welded to an aluminum barrel. The barrel is remarkably large---especially compared to other bats of its type. Easton has used the same connective piece, roughly, since they made the Mako back in 2014. This is referred to as a Connection+ (used to be CXN). It does an industry standard job of creating enough give for a smooth smash, but keeping power in the stroke. Durability is rarely a cocen for hybrid bats. Especially when the company making the bat has been producing it for several years. Easton has produced a hybrid bat in the BBCOR space for as long as we can remember. In other words, durability should be of no concern. (But that does not mean we suggest you buy it from some place that does not carry a warranty).

Functionally, it is hard to make the argument the 2018 Beast X Hybrid is considerably different than the 2017 Z-Core Hybrid. They both use the same Z-Core barrel that was made famous in the 2016 version. The barrel size was upgraded from the 2016 Z-Core Hybrid, so we shy away from that version if at all possible. Although prices on that 2016, at the time of this writing, are very attractive. In terms of marketing appeal and some minor upgrades, the 2018 Beast X Hybrid does come equipped with a new name for its barrel. The alloy is an upgrade, in Easton's view at least, in terms of durability and performance. The tactile difference between 2018 and 2017 is the thicker grip (1.4mm) in 2018 when compared to the 1.2mm grip for the 2017 Z-Core Hybrid.