The 10 Best Batting Trainers
Special Honors
Joe Mauer’s Quickswing Major League Baseball fans will remember Joe Mauer for his impressive career with the Minnesota Twins, during which he was the only catcher in history to win three batting titles. Using that experience, he produced this batting trainer to help develop the next generation of pro hitters. mauersquickswing.com
RBI Vortex This versatile swing aid is suitable for anyone from a youth softball player to a college baseball star. It sets up in minutes and comes with speed bands of varying resistance levels, and the ball height is easy to adjust for simulating different pitch heights. It’s backed by a lifetime warranty, too. hittingworld.com
The HipStick Created by a university baseball coach, this distinctive tool helps players focus on how to incorporate the core more effectively into their swings. By practicing with the HipStick, batters can identify flaws in their mechanics they weren’t previously aware of, then develop the muscle memory necessary to correct them. hipstickbatting.com
Editor's Notes
April 02, 2020:
Both SwingAway models were taken off the list because they were no longer available. We also removed the Louisville Slugger Instructo, which suffers from poor durability and tends to fall apart when used extensively. Many users also complain that it left their bats damaged. The cables that support the Sklz Hit-A-Way are prone to breaking easily, so we eliminated that item as well.
Two of the new additions focus on improving grip technique: the Swingrail Aid and Prohitter Original. Both are installed to the bat handle to promote proper hand alignment and help hitters identify how the position of their hands impacts their swings. The Insider Bat Device provides similar benefits, and also teaches users how to incorporate their core into their swing to generate more power.
The Varo Authentic is a blend between a traditional hitting aid and a protective sleeve. It slides over the barrel of the bat, adding a layer of protection to prevent unnecessary damage as well as extra weight to help hitters develop greater swing speed. For those looking to identify and improve upon flawed mechanics, however, there are better options out there.