Louisville Slugger Releases 2023 Wood Bat Lineup

The 139-year history of Louisville Slugger doesn’t stop now, with the heritage brand unveiling its 2023 lineup of wood bats.  

Every year the fresh lineup includes a mixture of bats in the brand’s MLB Prime Signature Series. In 2023 that features the game model bats of Ronald Acuna Jr., Cody Bellinger, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Eloy Jimenez, Kyle Schwarber and Christian Yelich. Add in an MLB Prime DJ2 Captain design as a harkening back to Derek Jeter‘s bat specs and Louisville Slugger has a healthy range of signature styles.  

“The 2023 lineup gives a nod to some of the game’s legends, as well as some of the biggest sluggers on the diamond today,” says Jake Misener, Louisville Slugger brand manager.  

Misener says the MLB Prime lineup is, once again, headlined by the Signature Series bats, which include an entirely new look for the VG27. The Guerrero Jr. Signature Series bat is similar to the C243 model, one of the brand’s oldest and most popular big-barrel designs.  

Using birch for hardness and flexibility, the wood is bone rubbed in the Louisville Slugger factory for extra hardness and receives a topcoat of finish to increase the hardness and offer a unique aesthetic.  

Available with a wine barrel, black handle and gold branding, the VG27 comes in lengths from 31 inches to 34 inches and includes a seamless decal applied under the topcoat. From a construction perspective, the VG27 has a large, slightly end-loaded barrel with a short barrel taper. It features a traditional knob taper, a standard thickness on the handle and no cup.  

“We added four new MLB Prime models, including a DJ2 design inspired by the specs and look used by Hall of Famer Derek Jeter during his career,” Misener says. “We also brought player models to our Youth Prime for the first time.”  

Overall, the Slugger lineup includes MLB Prime Maple, MLB Prime Birch, Select Cut M9 and Select Cut B9 as well as Youth Prime, Youth Genuine and Youth Flylite models.  

Tim Newcomb covers gear and business for Baseball America. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.