Hitting with the DEMARINI ZEN | BBCOR Baseball Bat Review

Summary

In this video, Will from Baseball Bat Bros reviews the 2025 D Marini Zen BB core bat, priced at $500. He notes it's the lightest two-piece composite bat since the Zoa BB core, but finds it disappointing in performance. Despite initial hopes, the bat's exit velocity is mediocre, and the sweet spot is smaller than expected. Will compares it to the Atlas, a superior bat, and concludes the Zen isn't worth its price, ranking it a C-tier bat. He advises against paying $500 for it, recommending other options instead.

Takeaways

• 🏏 The video reviews the 2025 DeMarini Zen BBcor bat, priced at $500, which is the most expensive BBcor bat to date.
• 🔨 This bat is the first two-piece composite since the Zoa BBcor, which previously had poor performance.
• ⚾ The bat feels light, almost like the Voodoo One, and has a small sweet spot, making it feel similar to a one-piece alloy despite being a composite.
• 📉 The performance of the bat was mediocre, with exit velocities hovering around 99-103 mph, lower than expected for such an expensive bat.
• 🧱 The reviewer emphasizes that, for $500, the bat should perform at an 'S-tier' level, but the Zen falls short in this regard.
• 💡 The bat is considered better suited for contact hitters due to its lightweight and ease of control.
• 👎 The reviewer criticizes the bat’s sweet spot and overall pop, stating they are underwhelming for the price point.
• 💵 The Atlas bat, priced $150 cheaper, outperformed the Zen in most categories, including sweet spot, consistency, and power.
• ❌ Overall, the Zen is rated as a 'C-tier' bat, and the reviewer strongly advises against paying $500 for it.
• 👊 The video concludes with a comparison of swing weight, noting that the Zen's lightness negatively impacts both the sweet spot and power output.

Q & A

What product is being reviewed in the video?

The video reviews the 2025 DeMarini Zen BB Core bat, which is priced at $500.

Why is the 2025 DeMarini Zen significant?

It is the first two-piece composite bat since the Zoa BB Core, which had a poor reputation.

What are the initial impressions of the bat's performance?

The bat initially feels very light and easy to control, but lacks power and exit velocity, staying around 102 mph, which is considered mediocre.

How does the 2025 DeMarini Zen compare to other top-tier bats?

The Zen is compared to the Atlas, an S-tier bat, and is found lacking in both power and sweet spot consistency, despite being $150 more expensive.

What is meant by the 'sweet spot' of the bat, and how does the Zen perform in this area?

The 'sweet spot' refers to the optimal hitting zone on the bat. The Zen's sweet spot is described as inconsistent and small, especially compared to other bats like the Atlas.

Why is the bat's swing weight a topic of concern in the review?

The Zen has an extremely light swing weight, which makes it easy to control but sacrifices power and sweet spot size. Heavier bats like the Atlas provide better backspin and more power.

What are the reviewers' thoughts on the price of the Zen?

They believe the $500 price tag is not justified, as the bat's performance does not match that of cheaper options like the Atlas, and they consider it more appropriate for contact hitters.

How does the sound of the bat impact the reviewers' assessment?

The sound varies depending on where the ball is hit on the barrel. Hits near the end produce a 'pingy' sound, while hits near the hands sound more like a 'thud,' adding to the bat's inconsistent feel.

What is the conclusion regarding the DeMarini Zen's tier ranking?

The Zen is placed in the C-tier, close to D-tier, despite its high price. The reviewers do not recommend paying $500 for it.

Would the reviewers recommend this bat at a lower price point?

Yes, the reviewers mention that if the bat were priced around $150, it could be considered solid, but at $500, it is not worth the money.