![BLAST FROM THE PAST](https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1716204865/articles/2_0wqYiq71716978663925/BLAST-FROM-THE-PAST.jpg)
Everything about the completely revamped Louisville Slugger Prime wood bat line, which launched April 17, focuses on making the bat harder. To get there, it required the team to reimagine the manufacturing process, borrow finishing concepts from the guitar industry and dip back into a 1902 patent from one of the brand’s founders.
There’s a lot new in the fresh iteration of the Louisville Slugger Prime line to get the bats 30% harder and allow the 140-year-old brand to more than double the warranty from 30 days to an industry-leading 75 days. It all starts with a trip back into company history.
Bobby Hillerich, fifth-generation bat maker and vice president of manufacturing and product development, is a great-grandson of Bud Hillerich, who created the first-ever Slugger bat for professional Louisville Eclipse player Pete Browning in his father’s woodworking shop. Bobby Hillerich was researching published studies on wood surface hardening techniques when he saw a Penn State University study reference a 1902 patent from his great-grandfather regarding hickory wood spun on a lathe.
“There is a combination of pressure and heat that is getting us the surface tension that we want,” Bobby Hillerich said. “We’ve updated it with new techniques and pressures.”
Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1812351/5ccc21wPV1724749104018/crp_Baseball-sports-Aaron-Judge-Oneil-Cruz-MLB-Best-Tools-voting-James-Wood-baseball-season-MLB-pitch-US-baseball-league-Baseball-America.jpg)
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
![ROAD BLOCK?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1812351/QGqln-pKY1724750341058/ROAD-BLOCK.jpg)
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
![ROYALS REVIVAL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1812351/RZfFizRBO1724749855880/ROYALS-REVIVAL.jpg)
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
![SUMMER STANDOUTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1812351/axlEvfmHx1724749483130/SUMMER-STANDOUTS.jpg)
SUMMER STANDOUTS
The top prospects in summer college leagues are poised to impact the 2025 draft
![FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1812351/hratFVvkK1724749227440/FLORIDA-COMPLEX-LEAGUE-TOP-10.jpg)
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Last year’s Florida Complex League prospect crop has been beset by lengthy injuries to many of its top players, including Yankees pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange, Mets infielder Marco Vargas and Red Sox catcher Johanfran Garcia.
![IN WITH THE NEW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1812351/wH49QkEzM1724748789122/IN-WITH-THE-NEW.jpg)
IN WITH THE NEW
The 2024 draft is in the books. The trade deadline is history.
![WALCOTT BLASTS OFF](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1812351/94DhqGX7p1724748613702/WALCOTT-BLASTS-OFF.jpg)
WALCOTT BLASTS OFF
It took some time for Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott to find his footing at High-A Hickory.
![A RECORD NIGHT FOR COLLEGIANS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1812351/D0u8Pnaiy1724748443650/A-RECORD-NIGHT-FOR-COLLEGIANS.jpg)
A RECORD NIGHT FOR COLLEGIANS
Four key takeaways from the 2024 draft
![K.C.MASTERPIECE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1812351/C17CIOGWn1724747820314/KCMASTERPIECE.jpg)
K.C.MASTERPIECE
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wins games for the Royals with his bat, glove, speed and baseball IQ. He might be the most tooled-up player in the game.
![HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/0Im5_7R-N1716983186325/HOW-THE-MAJORS-HAVE-CHANGED-FOR-YOUNG-PLAYERS.jpg)
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.