2026 Old Hickory AJ25 Pro Maple Wood Bat Review
A big-league favorite with a medium barrel, a long taper to an extra-thin 7/8" handle and a flared knob — a fast, whippy turn for bat-speed hitters.
The Score
How we score ↗The grade, density and grain of the billet — slope-of-grain, ink-dot certification, and whether it’s a true pro-cut. The headline for a wood bat. A primary driver of the overall score.
Barrel size and the turn-model profile (110/243/271/I13 and the like) — how much hitting surface and forgiveness the shape gives you.
How the wood feels and sounds at contact — the flex/stiffness of the handle, and the crack off a quality billet.
How well the wood holds up — density and grain quality (and, for composite wood, engineered toughness). Far more important on a wood bat than on alloy.
How hard the ball comes off for a wood bat — real, but a lighter factor here since wood isn’t about chasing max exit velocity.
Quality per dollar versus comparable pro-grade or composite wood. Shown for context; NOT factored into the overall score.
Why this score: The extra-thin handle earns top swing-weight and feel scores for whip and speed; that same handle is the reason durability dips a touch. Pro-grade maple and the 60-day warranty keep value high.
Our Review
The AJ25 has quickly become a go-to turn for a number of big leaguers. It pairs a medium 2 17/32" barrel with a long taper down to an extra-thin 7/8" handle and a flared knob. That extra-thin handle is what defines the bat: it lets you whip the barrel through the zone and generate bat speed, which is why it appeals to hitters who live on quickness rather than raw end weight. Made to order from #1-grade hard rock maple or birch with the 60-day warranty. The trade-off, as with any thin-handle turn, is a bit less protection on mis-hits, but for a bat-speed hitter the AJ25 is one of the most exciting turns Old Hickory makes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extra-thin 7/8" handle generates excellent bat speed and whip
- Growing favorite among big-league hitters
- Made to order in maple or birch with a 60-day warranty
Cons
- Extra-thin handle offers less protection on mis-hits
- Made-to-order with a 3-4 week build time
Full Specifications
| Brand | Old Hickory |
|---|---|
| Model | AJ25 Pro Maple |
| Model Year | 2026 |
| Certification | Wood |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Construction | Custom Pro maple |
| Model # | AJ25 |
| Drop | -3 |
| Barrel | 2 17/32" |
| Swing Weight | Balanced |
| MSRP | $199 |
Where to Buy
2026 Old Hickory AJ25 Pro Maple Wood Bat — FAQ
Is the 2026 Old Hickory AJ25 Pro Maple a good Wood bat?
We rate it 8.2/10 (Grade A). A big-league favorite with a medium barrel, a long taper to an extra-thin 7/8" handle and a flared knob — a fast, whippy turn for bat-speed hitters.
What drops does the AJ25 Pro Maple come in?
The 2026 AJ25 Pro Maple Wood comes in -3.
How much does the 2026 AJ25 Pro Maple cost?
MSRP is $199. We list the lowest price across CheapBats and Amazon on this page.
New to buying bats? Read our bat sizing guide, certifications explained, or browse all guides.
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Sources: HittingWorld — Old Hickory Custom Pro Series (turn specs) · Old Hickory — AJ25 Custom