2026 Old Hickory BD33 Brendan Donovan Pro Maple Wood Bat Review
Brendan Donovan's pro model — an 181-profile turn with a medium-to-large barrel and a medium handle running to a flared knob.
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: A balanced 181 turn with no real weakness; the medium-to-large barrel keeps the sweet spot solid and the medium handle holds durability up. Pro-grade maple and the 60-day warranty keep value strong.
Our Review
The BD33 is Brendan Donovan's Old Hickory turn, cut to the 181 profile. It has a medium-to-large barrel with a medium handle that runs to a flared knob, a clean, balanced profile that fits a contact-oriented, on-base hitter. The medium handle gives it more protection than a thin-handle power turn while the medium-large barrel keeps a generous sweet spot. Made to order from #1-grade hard rock maple or birch with the 60-day warranty. A dependable all-around pro game model for a hitter who values balance and bat control.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Balanced 181 profile with a generous medium-to-large barrel
- Medium handle is more forgiving than thin-handle turns
- Made to order in maple or birch with a 60-day warranty
Cons
- Balanced profile gives up some power to the big end-loaded turns
- Made-to-order with a 3-4 week build time
Full Specifications
| Brand | Old Hickory |
|---|---|
| Model | BD33 Brendan Donovan Pro Maple |
| Model Year | 2026 |
| Certification | Wood |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Construction | Custom Pro maple (181 profile) |
| Model # | BD33 |
| Drop | -3 |
| Barrel | Large |
| Swing Weight | Balanced |
| MSRP | $199 |
Where to Buy
2026 Old Hickory BD33 Brendan Donovan Pro Maple Wood Bat — FAQ
Is the 2026 Old Hickory BD33 Brendan Donovan Pro Maple a good Wood bat?
We rate it 8.2/10 (Grade A). Brendan Donovan's pro model — an 181-profile turn with a medium-to-large barrel and a medium handle running to a flared knob.
What drops does the BD33 Brendan Donovan Pro Maple come in?
The 2026 BD33 Brendan Donovan Pro Maple Wood comes in -3.
How much does the 2026 BD33 Brendan Donovan 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: Old Hickory — Brendan Donovan (BD33) Custom · Between The Lines — Old Hickory BD33 Steel Pressed