Introduction
Marucci is a popular baseball bat manufacturer that was founded in 2002 by two former Major League Baseball players and an athletic trainer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality, handcrafted maple bats used by many elite players. Two of their most popular models are the Marucci Cat 8 and Cat 9 bats.
The Marucci Cat 8 was first released in 2017 and features a one-piece AZ105 alloy construction that is designed for excellent performance right out of the wrapper. The Cat 9 was launched in 2019 as an upgrade over the Cat 8, featuring a stronger and more responsive alloy barrel while maintaining the same balanced feel.
Both the Cat 8 and Cat 9 bats have a ring-free multi-variable wall design that creates a massive sweet spot while reducing unwanted vibration and sting on mishits. They are approved for most high school and collegiate play with a BBCOR certification. This article provides a detailed comparison between the Marucci Cat 8 and Cat 9 to help players decide which model better suits their needs.
Construction
The Marucci Cat 8 uses AZ105 aluminum alloy, which provides good strength and responsiveness. It has a standard 2 5/8 inch barrel diameter, 2-piece construction with a tapered handle and an anti-vibration end cap. The one-piece AZ105 alloy barrel creates a big sweet spot and smooth feel on contact.
The Marucci Cat 9 switches to AZR alloy, which is stronger and more responsive than previous AZ alloys according to Marucci (https://maruccisports.com/the-rundown/evolution-of-the-cat-baseball-bat-line/). It maintains the 2 5/8 inch barrel and 2-piece construction with tapered handle and anti-vibration end cap. Marucci claims the optimized barrel design and taper provide a larger sweet spot and more balanced swing weight.
In summary, both bats have a standard 2 5/8 inch barrel and 2-piece construction, but the Cat 9 upgrades to AZR alloy which is supposed to improve strength, response, feel and performance compared to the Cat 8’s AZ105 alloy.
Performance
The Marucci Cat 8 uses AZ105 aluminum alloy, providing good performance and exit speeds according to player reviews. The alloy is tuned to have a balanced swing weight and feel. However, some note the Cat 8 has a “stiff” feel on contact.
The Marucci Cat 9 was upgraded to use the new AZR alloy, which is lighter, stronger, and more responsive than previous models according to Marucci [1]. The Cat 9 has improved exit speeds over the Cat 8. Reviews mention the Cat 9 has a very balanced swing weight and smooth feel [2]. The upgraded alloy provides a “trampoline” feel off the barrel.
Price
Looking specifically at the retail and resale values for each bat model, the prices are comparable between the Cat 8 and Cat 9.
The 2022 Cat 8 BBCOR retails for around $349.95 (https://blog.cheapbats.com/marucci-cat-8-versus-marucci-cat-9/). Meanwhile, the 2022 Cat 9 BBCOR has an MSRP of $359.99 (https://betterbaseball.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-the-marucci-cat-8-and-the-new-marucci-cat-9-). So at retail, the newer Cat 9 model is about $10 more expensive.
On the resale market, used Cat 8 bats tend to hold their value quite well and still sell for $200+ depending on condition. The Cat 9 is still relatively new, but early resale prices are comparable if not slightly higher than the Cat 8 due to it being the latest model.
Overall, while the Cat 9 does retail for a bit more, the price difference between the two models is marginal. And on the used market, values remain strong especially for the Cat 8 while early resale prices for the Cat 9 are similar or slightly higher.
Durability
When it comes to durability, both the CAT 8 and CAT 9 bats are built to last. The CAT 8 uses Marucci’s AZ105 alloy, an ultra-responsive aluminum that is optimized for performance while maintaining durability. According to Cheap Bats, the AZ105 alloy has “industry leading strength and durability.”
The CAT 9 introduces Marucci’s new AZR alloy, which is supposed to be even lighter and more responsive than AZ105 while maintaining the same strength and durability. As Better Baseball notes, “The AZR aluminum has the same strength and durability as the AZ105 alloy featured in the CAT8 and CAT8 Connect.”
In terms of breakage rates, both bats have very low failure rates when used properly. As long as you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for break-in and maintenance, both the CAT 8 and CAT 9 should provide excellent durability and a long usable life.
Popularity
Both the Marucci Cat 8 and Cat 9 bats have gained immense popularity among professional, college, and recreational players since their releases. According to Marucci Cat 8 versus Marucci Cat 9, the Cat 8 quickly became one of the most popular BBCOR bats after its introduction in 2017, used by many top MLB players including Jose Altuve, Giancarlo Stanton, and Robinson Cano. The newer Cat 9 built on that popularity when it was released in 2019.
While the Cat 8 remains popular, especially among amateurs due to its lower price point, the Cat 9 gained ground quickly among pros. According to What’s the difference between the Marucci Cat 8 BBCOR …, within months of its release over 100 MLB players made the switch to using the Cat 9 in games. The upgraded AZ105 alloy and improved barrel construction have made the Cat 9 one of the top choices for power hitters looking for a balanced bat with a big sweet spot. Its popularity among college players has also steadily grown.
Sound
The Marucci Cat 8 produces a traditional, wood-like “crack” at contact according to most players. The AZ105 alloy barrel creates a stiff feel and loud,classic sound on contact. As Marucci notes on their website, the Cat 8 has a “Big League sound and feel.” While some players feel the Cat 8 has a “muted” sound compared to previous Marucci models like the Cat 7 BBCOR bat, it still provides pleasing feedback on contact.
The Marucci Cat 9, constructed with the same AZ105 alloy, has a louder and more resonant sound profile according to players. The barrel design creates a bigger “ping” or “pop” at contact that many players describe as satisfying. As noted in this review, “on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, the Cat 9 is an 8.5 when it comes to sound.” The upgraded construction gives it a clear edge over the Cat 8 in terms of sound feedback.
Sources:
https://blog.cheapbats.com/marucci-cat-8-versus-marucci-cat-9/
Certifications
Both the Marucci Cat 8 and Cat 9 bats feature a range of important certifications to make them legal for play in various leagues and tournaments.
For USSSA play, the Cat 8 is available in a -8, -10, and -11 model, while the Cat 9 comes in -8, -9, -10, and -11 options. All of these models feature the USSSA 1.15 BPF certification mark indicating they meet the requirements for USSSA sanctioned play.
For BBCOR high school and collegiate play, both the Cat 8 and Cat 9 come in a -3 model that is BBCOR certified with a BBCOR stamp on the barrel. This means they have a BPF of 0.50 or less and adhere to the BBCOR performance standard.
The Cat 8 BBCOR model features Marucci’s AZ105 alloy, while the Cat 9 BBCOR uses the newer AZR alloy. Both are certified for play in leagues requiring a BBCOR bat.
In addition to USSSA and BBCOR certifications, both the Cat 8 and Cat 9 are approved for play in leagues sanctioned by Babe Ruth, Pony, Dixie Youth Baseball, and more. The certifications allow the bats to be used in most high school, collegiate, and amateur leagues.
Reviews
Both the Marucci Cat 8 and Cat 9 bats have received overwhelmingly positive reviews from experts and users alike.
According to Baseball Monkey, “The CAT8 immediately became one of the most popular BBCOR bats on the market thanks to the responsive AZ105 alloy barrel that created exceptional pop and was extremely well balanced for every hitter.” The bat is praised for its performance and feel across the board. https://www.baseballmonkey.com/marucci-cat8-bbcor-baseball-bat-mcbc8.html
The newer Marucci Cat 9 has built upon the reputation of the Cat 8, with Baseball Express writing that it “might be the best BBCOR bat we’ve ever felt in terms of balance and swing speed.” The upgraded AZ105 alloy is lighter and provides even better performance. https://www.baseballexpress.com/catalog/shop/marucci-cat-9-bbcor-baseball-bat-mcbc9
On consumer review sites, both models consistently receive 5 star ratings, with users praising the feel, pop, and quality craftsmanship of Marucci’s bats.
Conclusion
Both the Marucci Cat 8 and Cat 9 are excellent BBCOR certified baseball bats that can significantly improve a player’s performance. When evaluating which one is better, it mainly comes down to personal preference, hitting style, and budget.
In summary, the Cat 8 has a more balanced swing weight which makes it ideal for contact hitters looking for a blend of power and control. It also has a one-piece AZ105 alloy construction that creates great bat speed. On the other hand, the Cat 9 features a hybrid construction with a composite handle and alloy barrel, giving it a lighter swing weight focused on maximizing power and bat speed. It’s ideal for power hitters.
While the Cat 9 is Marucci’s newest model and has additional technology like AV2 Anti-Vibration knob, the Cat 8 remains enormously popular across all levels of play, from youth to college. Both bats retail for around the same price, so it mainly comes down to your specific hitting style and preferences. You can’t go wrong with either model.
In conclusion, while the Cat 9 may have a slight performance edge for elite power hitters, the Cat 8 is still considered one of the best BBCOR bats on the market today. For most players, it represents the best overall blend of power, control, and balanced feel. Carefully consider your hitting approach, budget, and preferences when deciding between the Marucci Cat 8 and Cat 9.