What is the quick review?
We spent time with Marucci's 2020 F5 in a number of games this season. We've also hit with it in the cage, during BP, cold weather and among several different players. In short, the bat works well for the value buyer looking for a lighter swing on an aluminum bat who doesn't want to break the bank.
What models and sizes are available?
Our hitters like the big barrel on the F5. It also sounds great. The bat is considered balanced by our swing weight measurements. (Meaning its not quite heavy and its not ultra heavy---somewhere in the middle). Still, the bat is made for the aluminum barrel hitter looking for a big barrel and a light swing who doesn't want to break the bank.
How is it built?
The most unique feature of the 2020 Marucci F5 is the barrels multi variable wall thickness. If you were to cut the F5 open you'd find its barrel to be different levels of thickness. As it goes away from the center of the barrel it gets thinner. This strategy, used in a few company's bats, help extend the length of the sweet spot and usable parts of the barrel while keeping the dead center under the limit.
Bats like the CAT, Victus Vandal, Easton Fuze and Rawlings VELO do similar things.
How does it compare?
The 2018 version of the F5 is basically identical with the 2020 version except for the black color. The black is, in part, for the new collegiate NCAA requirement in 2020 for no white bats. The F5 and CAT lines were updated in 2020 to be black.
If you can find the right size in the 2018 F5 (the white and blue one) then we would go for it unless, of course, you're in love with the 2020 black and blue version.
