Hitting with the DEMARINI ZEN | BBCOR Baseball Bat Review
Summary
TLDRIn 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.
Outlines
🏏 First Impressions of the 2025 D Marini Zen BB Core Bat
The video starts with Will introducing the new 2025 D Marini Zen BB core bat, priced at $500, which is the most expensive BB core bat ever. This two-piece composite bat is the first since the Zoa BB core, which had a poor reception. Will questions whether D Marini can redeem themselves in the composite bat market. They begin testing it with high hopes, aiming for an 'S tier' bat performance given the price, but initial impressions are underwhelming, with a soft barrel feel and pingy sound.
⚾ Bat Performance Comparison and Initial Thoughts
Will and John continue testing the Zen bat, struggling to break 105 mph exit velocities, which is average for top-tier bats. The bat feels light, but the sweet spot is less forgiving than other models, feeling more like a one-piece alloy. Despite hitting the ball with good control, the performance remains disappointing, especially for a $500 bat. The pingy sound on hits near the hands and the low exit velocities raise doubts about its quality. They express frustration, unable to achieve consistent high velocities even after multiple swings.
🚨 The $500 Bat Debate: Is It Worth It?
The comparison moves to the Atlas bat, an S-tier model, priced $150 cheaper than the Zen. Will highlights that composite BB core bats, especially expensive ones, often fail to outperform cheaper alloy bats. The Atlas performs better, with more consistent sweet spot feedback and slightly higher exit velocities. Will critiques the trend of expensive composite bats, arguing that they don't justify their price tags and often underperform compared to alloy models like the Atlas. The team expresses doubt about the Zen's value for money.
📉 Final Verdict: Zen's Performance Falls Short
After additional swings, the Zen continues to underperform, struggling to break 104 mph exit velocities. Will criticizes the bat's light weight, which negatively impacts pop and sweet spot size, ultimately placing the Zen in the C-tier, far from its $500 price tag. He discusses how lighter bats often sacrifice power and launch angle, concluding that if someone finds a bat like the Zen too heavy, they might be using a bat that’s too long for their size. The team gives a harsh final review, suggesting that at $500, the Zen simply doesn't deliver.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡D Marini Zen
💡BB core
💡Two-piece composite bat
💡Exit velocity
💡Sweet spot
💡Swing weight
💡Atlas
💡S tier
💡Composite vs. Alloy
💡Break-in period
Highlights
Introduction of the new 2025 DeMarini Zen BB Core bat, priced at $500, making it the most expensive BB Core bat ever.
The 2025 Zen is the first two-piece composite since the Zoa BB Core, which was considered to be a poor performer.
The bat feels very light, even more so than the Voodoo One, and offers a different sound depending on the area of the barrel where the ball is hit.
Initial impressions of the bat are average, with exit velocities stuck at around 102 mph, considered mediocre for the price point.
Comparison with other BB Core bats like the Atlas, which is a certified S-tier bat. The Atlas consistently delivers higher exit velocities.
The reviewer notes that despite its light weight, the Zen’s sweet spot is not as forgiving as other bats like the Select Power.
Exit velocities remain stuck at around 102 mph, and the bat performs poorly at elevations, struggling to hit beyond 420 feet.
The bat is better suited for contact hitters due to its light weight, but the performance doesn't justify its $500 price.
Reviewers agree that composite BB Core bats like the Zen are not necessarily better than alloy bats, despite being more expensive.
The Atlas bat, priced $150 cheaper, outperforms the Zen in both swing weight and exit velocity, with a sweet spot that feels larger.
A bat with a slight end load, like the Atlas, helps generate better backspin, making it easier to achieve ideal launch angles compared to a lighter bat like the Zen.
The Zen bat’s swing weight, rated 8 out of 10, is too light, which negatively impacts its sweet spot and pop.
The Zen is placed in the C-tier for BB Core bats, with reviewers calling it a $500 'C-tier' bat.
The reviewers believe the Zen should be priced at around $150 to be considered a solid option, but at $500, it’s not worth the cost.
The bat performs poorly compared to more affordable alternatives like the Eent Speed, with both reviewers agreeing that the Zen is a mediocre choice at its current price.
Transcripts
what up what up Will here with the
baseball bat Bros and today folks we are
swinging the brand new 2025 D Marini Zen
BB core for
$500 and this is actually the first
two-piece composite since the zoa BB
core that was pretty
bad there it
is 103 okay pretty soft for BB cor bat
we haven't been a huge fan of this it
it's just it's honestly just so average
so today is D Marini back in the
two-piece composite game let's get
it all right folks so the way I see it
if you're going to price your bat at
$500 which in case you didn't know is
the very most expensive that any BB cor
bat has ever been uh you are claiming
that this is going to be uh as we say an
S tier BB core bat so here's current
tier list rankings for all the 2025 BB
cor bats and uh we would hope that this
is at least an s or a and that's very
elite company I think there's only six
bats there uh however we have seen some
of those two-piece composits ain't so
hot so first things first this is a
composite we're going to get some break
and hacks both me and John will swing so
here we go World premiere of the new
2025 D Marini Zen BB Corp
okay there's the first actual
Barrel that felt really good all the
other ones sound super pingy
all
right so that's my second round with
this bat I would hope it is good and
broken in by now so let's get into the
review so with our yellow baseballs that
we're using here today uh good V is I
I'd say good is 105 Elite is like 108
even maybe up to 109 uh with like the
atlas the icon the select power the
clout we've been up at 108 but uh most
bats more like 105 106 is let's see if
the Zen can at least compete and we got
another good bat we're going to compare
it to but let's get into
it there we go
baby it can hit it out at 4,000 FT
elevation
98412 so it feels a lot different than
the zoa it's really really light like as
light as the voodoo one if not even more
light that's the meat of the barrel 102
the sound is pretty dramatically
different uh depending on where you hit
it on the barrel towards the end it's
really pingy towards the hands it's kind
of more of a
thud
tattoo 102
there's that end of the bat Super pingy
99 hammered that
ball wall scraper 100 mph
409 okay we're not getting a lot of
Juice yet super easy to control the
barrel does feel oddly short and what I
mean by that is like you do have to get
the head out it's not even as forgiving
down on the hands as like a select power
um the The Sweet Spot is almost a little
reminiscent of a one piece alloy even
though it's a composite that's kind of
the price you pay for having a bat so
light and so
balanced tattoo that's over the
Tre easy yeah that was smoked still Vos
aren't crazy 99 still still haven't even
broke 420
yet man that sound towards with the
hands is really sick
99 oh
budy yeah that that's
hammered 102 mph
bro uh we're not we're not getting very
good vas yet definitely screams contact
hitter bat that's my initial reaction
let's freaking step into one or two more
here then we'll go on to our s tier bat
oh got out in a hurry got to be 103 102
we are stuck at a very mediocre exit
Belo so
far no just
hands did that go yeah
97 yeah
goodness 100 miles hour okay we're going
to return to This Bat uh maybe it's just
early but we got another one all right
so we have the atlas an S tier bat
certified s tier and if your bat's going
to be
$500 our expectations are going to be
way up here we would hope it is as good
as the best of the best in the BB cor
class so uh we might be surprised today
and I might not be able to exceed 102
with the atlas but uh we have previously
so let's see what we
got that's a lot more annoying
sounding dude The Sweet Spot legit feels
better
101 end of the bat 103
dude bro these are effortless 101 okay
let's ramp up
[Music]
that's pretty good
Barrel jeez bro yeah 105
441 dude I I don't know how you
justify these $500 bats it's like for
whatever reason companies are just stuck
in this pattern like they have to
release a composite bat that's $450 to
$500 and I guess that's kind of like
left over from the B serrera the UA
composite era dude composite BB cor bats
just aren't better than alloy and you
know this is even kind of a spendy one
piece alloy it's $ 350 this is $150
cheaper than the Zen and that's you know
that's a pretty modest swing for 3 m
hour better John you're going to have to
tell me if I'm crazy here bro I'll tell
you all right
[Music]
the swing weight's a touch
more which I think helps The Sweet Spot
feels way better Sweet Spot feels way
more consistent more than anything the
head of the barrel just whips through
the Zone way cleaner and it's hotter
that's
103 yeah that's far I need to hit a
liner
bro that it like that's a bomb 104 450
the little bit extra end load and I've
said this a lot a little bit more
endload will help you back spin balls
better really light bats I mostly just
hit knuckle balls and top Spinners I'll
get a few out but it's way easier to get
like my ideal launch angle with a bat
with a little more weight on it and same
situation with the cadex same situation
with the voodoo one if you need a bat as
light as the Zen or the voodoo 1 to feel
comfortable with the BB core bat you're
swinging too long of a bat there is no
reason you shouldn't be able to control
an atlas or even like a Goods one piece
or even like a select power that means
you're swinging too much fat for your
size all right we're going to get one
more with each that's a tank
bro all right so it's not looking good
we're going to get one more absolute
father hack with each bat then then
we're going to see what JT
thinks that sweet spot towards the hands
is actually worse 97
similar hit to all those bombs to
center
98 nope
100 that's perfect Barrel but it's a
little low 104 there we
go gosh 10 102 just doesn't feel
right there it is anded
it okay that's the best we're going to
get 103 435 yeah bro it's not the worst
bat I've ever swung it's better than
that cat but you're absolutely tripping
if you're paying $500 for that maybe in
two years when that thing's
$110 go for it but that's insane that
that's $500 bucks okay a father hack
with the
atlas like
that tiny bit end 105
[Applause]
[Music]
yeah not close bro 442 it's pretty
good CF Zen we meet
again this thing
sucks damn
bro that was perfect
perfect all
righty look get one
everybody I like this
bet oh that feels so much
better and we're talking like sweet spot
like this sweet spot feels heaps bigger
dude that's a lot
better ouch couple more with the Zen
let's put this thing in the ground for
the next million
years please don't go
out
no what did I just
do eat it cam all right
this new one looks
good yeah
ball this might be the best of them
all thing's got a lot of barrels all
right John is the Zen s
tier oh oh no is it what you say it's
like d tier yes really probably okay
wait there's no F no there's no F I
think it's probably C
tier $500 C tier it's close to D tier
you want to buy a $500 Bat C tier no no
probably not I throw it in the D's C
minus yeah the very last bat in the C
tier yeah dude all right so let's put
together a little bat row scale for this
guy so uh first of all the swing weight
is stupid stupid light and a lot of your
feedback for this whole time we've done
the bat bro scale That Swing weight
plays too much of a factor and like for
sure like I I don't think swing weight
is as important as pop or or Sweet Spot
however if a bat has like an eight or a
nine swing weight I can almost guarantee
you that The Sweet Spot or the pop is
going to stink and sure enough The Sweet
Spot and the pop on the Zen is in my
opinion pretty mediocre so putting the
uh putting the swing weight at eight
John uh
I mean just tell us what do you got
sweet spot and pop if it's ridiculous
I'll probably override you but
three 66 so you don't like
it it sucks okay in theory what if it
was 150 bucks
oh yeah it's solid $500 you're getting
by I'd still swing the eent speed yeah
kind of my bet for $500 noo though no
way
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