What is the quick review?
JustBats purchased the exclusive rights to the CAT 6. That is, the updated look on the CAT 6---with the red base and white accents---is a JustBats only bat. The expectation, as far as we understand it, is that such will be the case indefinitely. Making such an arrangement, as far as know, a first.
What models and sizes are available?
The new CAT 6 is nothing new structurally from the older CAT 6. But, in so many ways, that is not a bad thing at all...
How is it built?
Another notable change to the bat is its design. The CAT 5-Squared was designed in gray backing with black and red highlights and a black grip. On the CAT 6, the bat is a very glossy pearl white with sort of hologram hurricane circles in the design. (Get it? CAT 6, Hurricane, as in a Category 6 Hurricane?). The grip is gray to match the highlights on the bat.
On the BBCOR version of the bat Marucci also shaped the handle to transition into the knob. This larger widening handle increases the bottom hands contact to the bat which many hitters like. Those who like a skinny bottom hand handle can unwrap the tape and remove the plastic shaped cone on the bottom of the handle.
How does it compare?
The previous version of the CAT 6 was the CAT 5-squared.
We aren't quite sure the best version to compare to the CAT 6 Generation 2. It doesn't have as a many thickness levels in the barrel as the CAT 8--which has 8 instead of 6. The aluminum has been upgraded, but not by much, since the CAT 6. In large measure the bat is a lot like the CAT 8---but Marucci has made legitimate upgrades in the last 4 years. Worth the $100+ more? That's not a decision for us to make.
Here's what we wrote originally about the CAT 6 Gen 1 in comparison with the CAT 5-Squared.
Also like the CAT 5-Squared, the CAT 6 is a balanced swing. The balance point of the bat was actually brought a little closer to the handle compared to the CAT5 but the overall weight distribution makes the CAT 6 and CAT 5-Squared swing weight nearly identical.
The CAT 6 does have some upgrades compared to the CAT 5-squared that are worth mentioning. For starters the barrel profile is larger. Meaning the bat has more plate coverage and a larger sweet spot when compared to the CAT 5-Squared. We found this improvement to be noticeable and appreciated.
As well, the durability of the knob is claimed to be improved. We haven't swung the CAT 6 long enough, but we do know from personal experience that the CAT 5-Squared knob unscrewed itself (which you could screw back on) after considerable use. Marucci took this feedback and redesigned the inserted knob to last as long as the bat. If that is the case we will see, but we are willing to take their word on it for now.