Day: March 16, 2022

Continuing our 2021 MLB reports, powered by Rawlings Sports (2021 Glove Report), let’s take a look at the bats and batting gloves used by the pros in 2021.  Bats are often in a state of flux for the average Big Leaguer. Players may switch bats from at-bat to at-bat, for a good reason, or no reason at all. Meanwhile, some players are so secure in their hit tool that they swing the same bat for their entire career.

In these reports, WPW polls MLB starters only (not pitchers) based on Baseball-Reference.com’s team pages with a few additions.  We look for and reward regular usage, or loyalty.  By that, we mean that we look for the bat (or bats) that a player uses most.  We count up to two bat brands per player, so if a player swung a bat brand for one game only, it isn’t counted.  The best way to view this data is to think of it as a measure of loyalty.  There are some bats that weren’t counted because, based on our observations, they weren’t used as much as a player’s other bats.  Its not a perfect science.

What Wood Bat Do You Swing?

For the wood bat swingers out there, what do you swing currently?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

What Bats Do MLB Players Swing?

Recapping 2019 Bat Usage

Lets take a look at the 2019 numbers (Full 2019 Report) and then jump into the 2021 results:

In 2019, Marucci and sister-company Victus asserted dominance of the Major League landscape. The two brands covered 22% and 18% of hitters respectively. While two in five MLB starters swung the two-headed monster of Marucci and Victus, Louisville Slugger supplied the wood for 12% of the league’s starters, followed by Old Hickory (11%), Chandler (8%), Rawlings (5%), and Sam Bat (5%). With this background knowledge, let’s take a look at the usage in 2021.

Bats Swung by MLB Starters in 2021

Victus | 24% of Bats Used by MLB Starters (+6% from 2019)

Victus, born in 2012 in a tiny garage in Blackwood, NJ, has soared to the pinnacle of wood bat-making, and is now the most popular bat in Major League Baseball in 2021. Victus is swung by the very best hitters in the game, including Rafael Devers, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Mookie Betts.

The Victus brand, acquired by Marucci back in 2017, is known for its ProPACT finish, a compression process that makes Victus bats as hard out of the box as any in the sport. Of the compression technology, Victus CEO Jared Smith says, “We want our bats to dent the ball, we don’t want the ball to dent our bats.“

Victus has attracted big names in recent years. Both Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado have made the switch to Victus. Aaron Judge has swapped out Chandler for Victus. The co-leader in homeruns in the MLB also switched brands to Victus, as Salvador Perez swapped his Rawlings bat for a new Victus stick entering 2021.

Victus bats were swung by 24% of the league, up from 18% in 2019.  Here are some MLB star hitters swinging Victus wood:

• Tim Anderson
• Fernando Tatis Jr.
• Aaron Judge
• Jose Ramirez
• Salvador Perez
• Manny Machado
• Jose Altuve
• Mookie Betts
• Rafael Devers

Marucci | 22% of Bats Used by MLB Starters (No change from 2019)

Despite being overtaken by Victus, the very company that Marucci acquired in 2017, for the top spot, Marucci still maintained its usage by 22% of MLB starters. Combined, Victus and Marucci are swung by almost half of all Major League starters.

Freddie Freeman, Josh Donaldson, and Anthony Rendon used Marucci bats in 2021. Here are some other players who swung Marucci this past season:

• Alex Bregman
• Jose Abreu
• Joey Votto
• Anthony Rizzo
• Francisco Lindor

Louisville Slugger | 15% of Bats Used by MLB Starters (+3% from 2019)

After leading the way for over a century, Louisville Slugger has settled in as the third most popular bat among MLB starters, swung by 15% of them. Slugger’s roster of players includes reigning offensive player of the year Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger, and perennial All-Star Justin Turner. Here are some of the other star hitters who swing Slugger:

• Ronald Acuna, Jr.
• Kyle Schwarber
• Christian Yelich
• Didi Gregorius
• Evan Longoria

Old Hickory | 10% of Bats Used by MLB Starters (-1% from 2019)

Old Hickory maintains it’s spot as the fourth most popular bat brand, swung by 10% of MLB starters. However, Old Hickory lost ground to its closest competitor, Louisville Slugger, who is swung by 41 starting hitters to Old Hickory’s 28. Compared to 2019 when there was a 1% difference between the brands, now a 5% gap separates them. Nevertheless, the two best hitters in baseball (in my opinion), Mike Trout and Juan Soto, swing Old Hickory with regularity. Here are some other stars who swing Old Hickory:

• Nolan Arenado
• JT Realmuto
• JD Martinez
• Matt Olson
• Trevor Story
• Paul Goldschmidt

Chandler | 8% of Bats Used by MLB Starters (Unchanged from 2019)

Chandler Bats usage is unchanged since 2019. It is swung by some of the best power hitters in baseball, such as Joey Gallo, Bryce Harper, and Rhys Hoskins. Carlos Correa has long been a user of Chandler bats, and his monstrous teammate Yordan Alvarez loves his Chandler wood, too. Here are some of the stars who use Chandler Bats:

• Carlos Correa
• Kris Bryant
• Kolten Wong
• Yordan Alvarez
• Nick Castellanos
• Eddie Rosario

B45 | 4% of Bats Used by MLB Starters

B45 has had a subtle but impressive rise in popularity among Big League starters. These Canadian-made birch sticks are swung by stars All-Stars like Ketel Marte and Eduardo Escobar, along with nine other MLB starters. Birch wood, known as a cross between the qualities of Maple and Ash, has become a major force in wood bats in recent years. Here’s a few other swingers of B45:

• Austin Hays
• Darin Ruf
• Freddy Galvis

Tucci | 3% of Bats Used by MLB Starters

Tucci Lumber is swung by a small but mighty group of MLB starters, including superstar shortstops Bo Bichette, Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts. While they lost a few hitters from 2019, an impressive handful of players swing this Connecticut-based lumber company. Here are some others who swing Tucci:

• Willson Contreras
• Yasmani Grandal
• Willson Contreras
• Jed Lowrie

These are the remaining brands swung by MLB starters:

Rawlings	6
Tater	5
Cooperstown Bats	3
Dove Tail Bats	3
Homewood	3
MaxBat	3
Mizuno	3
Dinger	2
SSK	2
Trinity	2
Warstic	2
Asics	1
BWP	1
Powerbull	1
Phoenix	1
SR Bats	1
Zinger	1

More MLB Hitter Insights

ProHitter Hitting Aid Swung by a Staggering 44% of MLB Starters

ProHitter ($10-$12 at BaseballExpress.com), the little blue thumb ring you see on Cody Bellinger above, found itself aiding nearly half of the hitters in the MLB in 2021. The small piece of American-made rubber helps with grip technique and eliminating sting. It can be seen on star players such as Cody Bellinger, Bryce Harper, Ronald Acuna Jr., and 114 more MLB starters.

As we’ve mentioned so many times before, the ProHitter piece is worn on the top hand and keeps the bat handle in the fingers (versus the palm) for maximum extension and bat speed.  Hitters also report reduced sting on mishits.  You can get a ProHitter on BaseballExpress.com for $10-$12.

Lizard Skins Bat Wraps Used by 36% of MLB Starting Hitters

Lizard Skins continues to be one of more universally popular products among Big League hitters. The synthetic bat wrap, which was acquired by Marucci Sports in 2021, acts as a grip that’s superior to standard tape, and has gained popularity since it’s introduction to MLB in 2012. Lizard Skins are available at Baseball Express starting at $11.99.

Batting Gloves

Franklin Batting Gloves | Worn by 42% of MLB Starting Hitters (+7% from 2019)

Franklin has extended its lead over the rest of the batting glove market in 2021. Between the CFX Pro, Pro Classic, and Powerstrap, Franklin supplies 42% of MLB starting hitters. The inventor of the batting glove, Franklin has 26 more starters than second place Nike. Here are some of the top players who wear Franklin:

• Jose Altuve
• Jose Ramirez
• Xander Bogaerts
• DJ LeMahieu
• Francisco Lindor

Nike Batting Gloves | Worn by 32% of MLB Starting Hitters (+2% from 2019)

Nike batting gloves ticked up slightly from 30% to 32%. As the new official uniform provider for MLB, Nike continues to be the equipment provider for many of the game’s top players. These include:

• Nolan Arenado
• Javy Baez
• Nelson Cruz
• JT Realmuto
• Didi Gregorius
• Gleyber Torres
• Pete Alonso
• Cody Bellinger

Adidas Batting Gloves | Worn by 9% of MLB Starting Hitters (-4%)

The Adidas adiZero 4.0 batting glove (available at Baseball Express starting at $37) is worn by Adidas poster-athlete, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the following stars:

• Kris Bryant
• Ketel Marte
• Andrelton Simmons
• Trea Turner
• Bo Bichette

Here are the remaining batting glove brands worn by MLB starters:

Under Armour	12
Lizard Skins	8
Jordan	6
None	5
Easton	3
Marucci	3
Asics	1
Bruce Bolt	1
Spiderz	1

And lastly, the five burly men who require no gloves at all:

• Kyle Tucker
• Trent Grisham
• Austin Hays
• Wil Myers
• Joey Wendle

What do you think about our 2021 MLB bat and batting glove report?  Let us know in the comments.

The post MLB Bats Report 2021 | What bats do pros use? (Spoiler: There’s a New Leader in MLB Bat Usage) appeared first on What Pros Wear.

Since 2017, What Pros Wear has been tracking the cleats worn by all MLB starters, and the 2021 results are in.  This Rawlings sponsored report (like the bat and glove reports) focuses entirely on the starting position players, excluding pitchers, noted on Baseball-Reference.com’s 2021 team pages with a few additions. We focus on starters because they play the most, and the efficiency of the research is greatly improved by focusing on the most consistently active players. In 2021, there was some shuffling among the runners-up, while the king remains. 

Below we’ll review the cleat brands and models that were most popular among baseball’s best in 2021, but lets first take a quick look at our 2019 cleat data.

2019 Cleats Worn by MLB Starters

In 2019, Nike led the way, while adidas overtook New Balance as the #2 and Under Armour continued to fade out as a widely used cleat among MLB starters.

What Cleats Do You Wear?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

I’m very interested to know what you wear on the field.  If you’re wondering what the WPW guy wears, I wore New Balance in 2021. Shop NB at Academy Sports.

What Cleats Do MLB Players Wear?

2021 Cleats Worn by MLB Starters

Since 2017, Nike has added 9 percentage points to their already-distant lead in the MLB cleat race. From 38% in 2017, they now control 47% of the starters market in Major League Baseball.

Baseball cleats, unlike bats and gloves, are very limited as far as options that can handle the rigors of an MLB schedule.  Its a six horse race and the entrants are Nike (+4% from 2019), New Balance (+3%), adidas (-6%), UA (-5%), Jordan (+4%), and Mizuno (unchanged).

Here’s the top 6 cleats among MLB starters:

Nike | 47% of Cleats Worn by MLB Starters (+4% from 2019)

Best Nike Baseball Cleats w/ Links to Purchase from Retailer with Best Inventory

1. Alpha Huarache Elite 3 | Shop at Academy
2. Vapor Ultrafly Elite 3 | Shop at Academy
3. Trout 7 | Shop at Eastbay

See all our featured Nike cleats here.

Nike’s top cleat, once again, was the league’s top cleat, the Alpha Huarache Elite 3 (shop at Academy Sports). The Alpha Huarache has been the top cleat in baseball since it arrived, and it continues to be worn by the game’s best players.

Here’s a few stars who wore the Alpha Huarache Elite 3 (available at Eastbay.com):

• Giancarlo Stanton
• Brandon Crawford
• Javier Baez
• Matt Chapman
• Bo Bichette
• Cody Bellinger
• Pete Alonso

Nike’s low-profile speed cleat is the Vapor Ultrafly 3, which is used very lightly in MLB but with a lot of star power. You can get both the 3 and the new 4 at this link.  Here’s a few guys who wore those:

• Bo Bichette
• George Springer
• Tim Anderson (wore the 2s)

Can’t forget about the Trout 7, one of the most sought after products on WPW. While there’s an ego factor that keeps the Trout off many Big Leaguers’ feet who refuse to wear an opponent’s shoe, its a hugely popular cleat in the amateur circuits. Get the Trout 7 at Eastbay.

New Balance | 22% of Cleats Worn by MLB Starters (+3%)

Best New Balance Baseball Cleats w/ Links to Purchase from Retailer with Best Inventory

1. 4040v6 | Shop at Academy
2. 4040v5 | Shop at Academy
3. 3000v5 | Shop at Eastbay
4. 3000v4 | Shop at eBay
5. COMPv2 | Shop at eBay
6. Lindor 1 | Shop at Dick’s

New Balance reclaimed its role as the #2 cleat in Major League baseball in 2021 with an array of cleat models including the 4040v6 (above), 4040v5, 3000v5, 3000v4, COMPv2 and Lindor’s signature, the Lindor 1.

While Ronald Acuna Jr. got the NB 4040v6 ahead of everybody else (Shop at Academy), he also rocked the 3000v5. (Get the 3000v5 at Eastbay.) Aaron Judge, on the other hand, made WPW headlines when he dropped adidas in favor of some painted-over New Balance 3000v4s, which must be an exceptionally comfortable cleat if it motivated Judge to abandon his big endorsement deal with adidas. (Get the 3000v4 on eBay.)

Francisco Lindor rocked his first, and NB’s first, signature baseball cleat, the Lindor 1. (Barely available at Dick’s.)

Here’s some MLB studs who wear New Balance cleats:

• Ronald Acuna | 4040v6, 3000v5
• Jose Altuve | COMPv2
• Francisco Lindor (above) | Lindor 1
• Salvador Perez | 3000v5
• Aaron Judge | 3000v4

Adidas | 16% of Cleats Worn by MLB Starters (-6%)

Best adidas Baseball Cleats w/ Links to Purchase from Retailer with Best Inventory

1. Afterburner 7 | Shop at Academy
2. Afterburner 8 | Shop at Academy
3. Icon 6 | Shop at Dick’s
4. Icon 7 | Shop at Academy

adidas dropped to #3 in 2021 after a brief stint as the #2 cleat in Major League Baseball.

Despite separating from posterboys Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa, the Icon and Afterburner cleat lines remain popular among adidas ballplayers. The Icon 6 (Dick’s) and 7 (Academy) were worn most often among MLB starters in 2021, as well as the Afterburner 7 (Academy) and 8 (Academy).

Most famously, Fernando Tatis Jr. carries the adidas stripes on his spring-loaded feet. Here’s a few more MLB stars wearing adidas in 2021:

• Fernando Tatis Jr. | Afterburner 7
• Kris Bryant | Icon 7
• Luis Robert | Afterburner 7
• Justin Turner | Icon 7
• Trea Turner | Afterburner 8
• Kike Hernandez | Afterburner 7
• Xander Bogaerts | Afterburner V

Under Armour | 7% of Cleats Worn by MLB Starters (-5%)

Best Under Armour Baseball Cleats w/ Links to Purchase from Retailer with Best Inventory

1. UA Harper 6 | Shop at Eastbay
2. UA Yard | Shop at Eastbay

Under Armour has become a niche brand in MLB, with Bryce Harper, Juan Soto and Freddie Freeman now the main torchbearers for the UA brand. Ever since UA boisterously announced it would be the uniform supplier for MLB in 2016 (and was subsequently replaced by Nike), the number of Under Armour baseball athletes have shrunk, and they even went so far as to delete their @uabaseball Instagram page.

Still, UA has a footprint in baseball cleats thanks to some superstar power. The Harper 6, signature cleat of 2021 NL MVP Bryce Harper, remains a top seller among young ballplayers. You can get it at Eastbay and it scored well in our recent review.

Here’s a few stars who wear UA:

• Bryce Harper | Harper 6
• Juan Soto | Player Exclusive based off the Yard
• Freddie Freeman | Yard
• Wander Franco | Harper 6

Jordan | 6% of MLB Starters (+4%)

Jordan, with its religious following among athletes globally, continues to grow its influence in baseball. In 2021, we tracked 16 players regularly wearing Jordan cleats, and many of them aren’t even “official” endorsers. Some might even be PAYING for the cleats, which is very rare for pro athletes.

While some very good players like Josh Donaldson, Eduardo Escobar and Wil Myers are so eager to wear Jordan that they may be buying them off the rack, Jordan brand is officially represented by some of the best players of this generation. Mookie Betts, Manny Machado, and Yadier Molina are all Jordan brand members, and recently added young stars Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Kyle Lewis will thrive in Jumpman footwear for years to come.

The Jordan 10 was the featured silhouette of 2021, though we’ve seen nothing new for 2022. You’ll have to hunt eBay for now and hope that Jordan brand doesn’t leave us baseball players hanging in 2022.

The remaining brands were as follows:

Mizuno	6
Asics	1

Ohtani Wears ASICS Cleats

The modern day Babe Ruth, Shohei Ohtani, is the sole MLB starter in ASICS. There are a couple of other pitchers, but we didn’t count them in this data. ASICS offers baseball products in Asia, but not in the USA, though you can find some ASICS / Ohtani gear on eBay.

Plastic (Molded) Cleats vs Metal

As we’ve said many times before, molded cleats offer more support for Major League starters who play every day and need to take strain off their feet. In 2021, 31% of MLB starting position players wore molded cleats as a way to alleviate foot fatigue. A lot of people get tripped up about MLB players wearing plastic, thinking that those are for kids—but the truth is, they’re a real asset to the best players in the world and anybody playing a heavy schedule should consider plastic (molded) cleats.

What do you think about our 2021 MLB cleat report? Please comment below.

The post What Cleats Do Pro Baseball Players Wear? Here’s Your 2021 MLB Cleats Report by What Pros Wear appeared first on What Pros Wear.

For the second straight season, we have researched all 704 NFL Starters to get a full picture of the helmets, cleats and gloves worn by NFL football players. While completing this research is a tall task, it provides us with valuable information about what the world’s best football players wear. We have calculated the brand share and even honed in on some of the specific models these pros are wearing. For this article, we’ll be focusing on the most underrated members of the offense – the Offensive Line.

About the Research: This research focuses on the helmets, cleats and gloves of the 704 NFL Starters. We tracked 352 Offensive Players (32 QB’s, 32 RB’s, 96 WR’s and 160 OL) and 352 Defensive Players (64 DE’s, 49 DT’s, 64 OLB’s, 47 ILB’s and 128 DB’s). For this research, injuries were not considered, the best players at each position were selected. We used both ESPN and OurLads as a resource for our depth charts. The research was conducted from Week 15 to Week 17 (Dec. 20 – Jan. 2).

Our final note is to remember that players switch equipment all the time (sometimes even at halftime), so there is no way to ensure 100% accuracy throughout the season. Our findings still offer the best representation available of what brands and models are most popular among NFL Starters.

Helmets Worn by NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

With every single snap, offensive lineman are going to battle in the trenches. Offensive line and defensive line are the only positions to face real contact every play they’re on the field. Every time the football is hiked, the 2 sides of the ball are clashing their heads against each other, clamoring for control of the line of scrimmage. This battle is incredibly violent so it’s important that these behemoths are well protected. Let’s take a look at what brands and helmet models are most popular among NFL Offensive Lineman.

Riddell | Worn by 85% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

The most popular helmet brand among the 160 NFL starting offensive lineman is Riddell – most of them wearing the Riddell Speedflex. The Speedflex has been the most popular helmet for the last several years because of it’s incredible safety ratings and modern design. The 5-star rated helmet features a hex panel on the front of the helmet. The job of this panel is to “flex” (hence the name Speedflex) to absorb contact. This helmet is a great option for offensive lineman because that flex panel is located right where OL experience the most contact – the front of the helmet. With each snap and hit the OL faces, the Speedflex will help reduce that impact and keep the wearer safe. Some of the league’s best pass protectors, including Trent Williams and Taylor Lewan, wear the Riddell Speedflex. Again, this is a great choice for anybody on the offensive line and costs about $470 from Riddell.

The other popular Riddell helmet, worn by 11 starting offensive lineman, is the Riddell Speed. The Speed was once the most popular helmet in football but has slowly been on the decline since the introduction of the Speedflex in 2014. The Speed is still a 5-star rated helmet and also one of the lightest in the game – weighing only 3.7 pounds. It’s a super sleek helmet and still worn by NFL veterans like Trai Turner and Tyron Smith. You can still get a Riddell Speed for about $350 and up.

Vicis | Worn by 10% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

This season, we saw 10% of NFL starting offensive lineman wearing Vicis football helmets. The most popular Vicis lid was the brand new Vicis Zero2. The Vicis Zero2 is the latest in helmet technology and the safest helmet ever tested. When it comes to helmet technology, nobody can top Vicis. Their 4-layer system does an incredible job absorbing energy and keeps your head safe. It’s a surprise we don’t see more NFL players wearing their helmets but to be fair, Vicis is relatively new to the game and their helmets are oddly shaped. But, as more safety concerns arise, I think Vicis’ usage will be on the rise. Check out the Vicis Zero2 on Vicis.com, starting at $700.

Vicis has even created a special version of the Zero2 built specifically for lineman – the Vicis Zero2 Trench. Right now, this helmet is only worn by Alex Mack, but I expect its usage to rise in the next couple years. This helmet is basically a regular Vicis Zero2 but with a frontal pad. This pad is fine tuned for the low-velocity impact that lineman face every single snap. This is the first position specific helmet we’ve seen and I hope to see more lineman wearing it next season. You can get the Vicis Zero2 Trench for $999 from Sports Unlimited.

The other popular Vicis helmet worn by NFL starting offensive lineman is the Vicis Zero1. The Zero1 was the first helmet from Vicis and shares the same technology as the Zero2. It’s also a 5-star rated helmet but a little bit heavier than the Zero2 is. This helmet is worn by David Bakhtiari, Eric Fisher and several other offensive lineman. The Vicis Zero1 is no longer available following the release of the new and improved Zero2.

Schutt | Worn by 5% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

Lastly, we have Schutt making up the final 5% of the brand share amongst NFL starting offensive lineman. The most popular Schutt model is the Schutt F7. The F7 is the latest helmet from Schutt and also one of their safest – scoring a perfect 5/5 on the VT Helmet rating scale. The key to its success is the “tektonic” plates on the top of the helmet. These plates move independently from the rest of the shell to disperse rotational force. The F7 is a great looking helmet but definitely not very popular among lineman (check out the F7’s dominance in the WR article). The Schutt F7 is worn by some of the leagues’ best bookends, Jason Peters and Lane Johnson. You can check out the Schutt F7 from $500-$1000 on Schutt’s website.

Cleats worn by NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

One of the most important aspects of an offensive linemans’ game, is footwork. Despite their monstrous appearance, the OL must be incredibly athletic and able to perform intricate steps. These steps are crucial when pulling, pass blocking and run blocking. These guys need a pair of cleats that gives them the ability to perform these nimble moves but also enough support to protect them in the trenches. Let’s take a look at the most popular cleats brands and models these guys are rocking.

Nike | Worn by 84% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

Coming in 1st, with an astounding 84%, is Nike. When it comes to lineman cleats, nobody dedicates as much time and resources as Nike does and this number is proof of that. There are two main cleats that these offensive lineman are choosing – the Nike Force Savage Pro 2 and the Nike Zoom Code Elite. The Nike Force Savage Pro 2 is the latest lineman cleat from Nike and debuted in 2019. The cleat has a mid cut with an ankle strap for maximum support. It also has a wide, Nike “Alpha” traction plate with has long, sharp triangle studs. These studs allow lineman to have great traction and not lose their footing when making a block. Lastly, these cleats have small studs on the outside of the cleat. These studs protect the top of the wearers’ foot and prevent bruising if someone steps on their foot in the trenches. Some of the leagues’ best including Rashawn Slater and David Bakhtiari, wear these cleats. These are the ultimate lineman cleat and that’s why they have been the most popular since 2019. You can find these cleats on Amazon.

Like I mentioned earlier, the other popular Nike cleat is the Nike Zoom Code Elite. These cleats are initially released all the way back in 2013 or so but are still incredibly popular among offensive lineman. They’re super wide, supportive and look great. These are worn by some of the NFL’s most seasoned veterans, including Terron Armstead and Brandon Brooks. They’re a little tough to find since they’re almost 10 years old but there’s some floating around on Ebay.

Jordan | Worn by 12% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

For the last couple years, we’ve seen the usage of Jordan brand cleats grow in the NFL. This past season, we saw 12% of NFL starting offensive lineman rocking Jumpman football cleats. These guys were wearing various Jordan models but mostly the Jordan 1 and Jordan 10. Both of these silhouettes are perfect for these bigger guys. The cleats are wide, have plenty of ankle support and obviously look amazing. It’s so cool to see these 80s and 90s basketball silhouettes being utilized and brought to the gridiron. Some of the best NFL tackles, including Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley, are wearing Jordan football cleats. If you want a pair of Jordan cleats, we suggest you check StockX and GOAT.

Under Armour | Worn by 4% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

Lastly, we have Under Armour making up 4% of the brand share among NFL starting offensive lineman. The most popular UA cleat was the Under Armour Hammer. The UA Hammer is worn by both Buccaneers’ guards, Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa. The Hammer has excellent ankle support and a wide traction plate. They’re a solid option for any position on the OL. You can grab a pair for $100 from Academy.com.

Gloves worn by NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

Like I’ve already mentioned in this article, every single snap the offensive line goes to battle. These guys put their body on the line with every play and are fighting for control of the line of scrimmage. While doing this, their hands take an awful beating. Nearly every offensive lineman either wears a pair of protective gloves or tapes up their hands. These gloves are going to give their hands some extra support, protection, and make their jobs a little bit easier. Let’s check out the most popular glove brands and models among the fearless warriors on the offensive line.

Nike | Worn by 93% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

The most popular glove brand worn by NFL starting OL is Nike, with an incredible 93% of the total brand share. To put this into perspective, we tracked 160 offensive lineman and only 11 aren’t wearing Nike gloves. The most popular Nike glove on the O-line is the Nike Dtack 6.0. The Dtack is a glove completely built for offensive lineman. These gloves have tons of padding on the back of hand, a leather-like palm, and a thick velcro strap. These are built for the trenches so it’s no surprise they are so popular. Some of the best offensive lineman on the planet, including Taylor Lewan and Quenton Nelson, wear the Nike Dtack 6.0. You can grab the Nike Dtack 6.0 from Dicks for $65.

Cutters | Worn by 4% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

In the second spot, we have Cutters with 4% of the brand share among NFL starting OL. We only saw a handful of lineman wearing Cutters gloves this season. The most popular pairs were Cutters Rev Pros. The Rev Pro line is a skill position glove but most of the lineman in them taped up their hands for added protection. Laremy Tunsil and Justin Britt were rocking Cutters gloves this past season. You can check out the Cutters Rev Pro 4.0 here.

No Gloves | 1% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

Lastly, we have three starting offensive lineman who don’t wear any gloves whatsoever. These old-school style players are Nick Gates, Creed Humphrey and Rodney Hudson. All three of them wear some wrist tape and then maybe some extra tape on the fingers. It’s crazy to see anyone in the NFL not wearing gloves but these guys are tough as nails.

Jordan | Worn by 1% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

This season, we only saw one offensive lineman wearing Jordan Brand gloves – Cesar Ruiz. Ruiz is not signed with Jordan Brand but Saints teammate (and Jordan athlete), Cameron Jordan, hooks up the young lineman with Jordan swag. Ruiz wears the Jordan Superbad 5.0 but unfortunately, these are not available to the public.

Under Armour | Worn by 1% of NFL Starting Offensive Lineman

We only saw one NFL starting offensive lineman wearing Under Armour gloves this season – Garett Bolles. Bolles was in the Under Armour Combat and has stayed loyal to UA throughout his NFL career. The UA Combat is built for offensive lineman and has tons of padding and protection. You can grab the UA Combat for $60 here.

There you have it… the gear worn by the best offensive lineman in the world! Let us know what you think about our report in the comments below!

The post What Do NFL Offensive Lineman Wear? Here’s the Helmets, Cleats and Gloves Worn by NFL Starting OL in 2021 appeared first on What Pros Wear.

One of our best partners, Eastbay, asked us to highlight their performance apparel line. We dove in to give you our breakdown of the 4 different types of affordable performance apparel – Compression, Gymtech, Windtech and Temptech. Impressively, every single product offered in Eastbay’s performance line is $50 or less, and most are much less than that. So if you’re looking for some performance athleticwear that will perform, look clean, and won’t break the bank, this could be a great route for you. Here’s what they’re offering:

Eastbay Compression – Every Product is $10 right now

The first and likely most popular is Eastbay compression products, all priced at $10 right now. Compression tights, shirts and shorts, in all sorts of different cuts and colors are available. Compression is an excellent way to protect yourself from turf burn and it also does an awesome job keeping your muscles warm while you play. It can also help prevent injury in football, baseball, and basketball. Compression is typically used as a base-layer and perfect to wear underneath your uniform. Check out Eastbay’s compression options here.

Our fave is the 3/4 length tights, only $9.99.

Eastbay GymTech – Most Products Under $20 right now

Eastbay’s Gymtech is built for putting in that work. Gymtech is performance apparel for lifting weights, cardio, getting shots up in the gym, or lounging at the crib. This apparel is built to be light and breathable. Eastbay has shorts, shirts, and jackets in plenty of colorways. Like I mentioned, this apparel is designed to be worn while you work out, but honestly looks good enough to wear day to day. Check out Eastbay’s Gymtech apparel here.

Add the Gymtech Half Court camo short ($14.99) to the jacket ($39.99) with the 3/4 tights underneath ($9.99) for easy, functional practice swag under $70.

Eastbay WindTech – All Under $40 right now

Eastbay’s Windtech apparel will help you train outdoors, especially in suboptimal weather conditions. Windbreakers jackets, pants and shorts are available, all under $40. Again, these offerings from Eastbay look cool enough to wear on the field, but also at work or in the classroom. Check out Eastbay’s Windtech apparel here.

Eastbay Temptech – All Under $50

The final (and most premium) component of the Eastbay performance line is their Temptech apparel. This gear offers a heavier material, built to keep you warm and cozy… perfect to wear during a cold outdoor workout or to just lounge around the house. Check out the Eastbay Temptech collection here.

Add the Temptech Cuff Fleece Pant ($39.99) for maximum warmth over top your Eastbay Compression.

Shop all the products in Eastbay’s Performance line here. And if you’ve got experience with these products, let us know in the comments.

The post Sponsored: Eastbay Performance Line with Jalen Hurts (All Items Under $50) appeared first on What Pros Wear.

From Little League to the Big Leagues, one thing is certain: no ballplayer is immune to injuries. They come in many forms from head to toe. Most we can prevent; however, some are inevitable the faster and harder the game comes at you.

In this article we will work from head to toe with some baseball (and softball) equipment specific to preventative maintenance.

The Head

The head holds our brain which is arguably the most important part of baseball, hence The Mental Game (see “Hitting Before You Step in the Box“). Our favorite pros are wearing Major League fitted helmets with the now ubiquitous ear flap. The younger kids through college and even most minor leagues are rocking the double ear flap helmets. These are not only used by players, but coaches on the base lines, too. The 9in. 5oz. pearl hurts when zooming at you at high-rate speeds. Get the Mach helmet from RAWLINGS for $55-$80 to protect your skulls. Catchers, check out the Force3 Defender mask with its shock absorbing system at $240, worn by Yasmani Grandal.

Eyewear is important, especially when glaring into the 27 million degree fireball for a flyball, (real sun fact). Sunglasses can also help with dirt blowing from the Sandlots to Wrigley Field and you can field your next ground ball with less distraction. Bo Bichette has elite swag in his 100% Hypercraft, $165 at Dick’s.

We are seeing more mouth guards in baseball to help protect our grill. Unless you are ex-Big Leaguer Mike Pelfrey wearing one to keep your tongue in your mouth, so you don’t tip your fastball, your best bet is to err on the side of safety. Major Leaguers are not just protecting their million-dollar smiles, they are saving a potentially astronomical dentist bill. Parents know the struggle with kids and dentist trips, so don’t forget the extra precaution. Get the SISU AERO mouth guard for $19.99 at BASEBALL EXPRESS. Trying not to catch the ball with your face also seems to help.

The Shoulder

Next up, besides our brains, this one may be the most important part of the body, the shoulder. You cannot play baseball or softball without one until AI proves otherwise. Keeping the shoulder healthy and in shape is a duty for every ball player at any age or level. A solid throwing program and band routines are two of the best ways to keep this complex body part in shape. Two-way athletes at younger ages struggle with the fine line of overuse and underuse. Being thrown all over the field with no throwing program is a recipe for disaster. Saving arms with no throwing routine is equally as damaging! Arm care is cheap folks, way cheaper than surgery or a career-ending injury. Get the renowned J-bands from Jaeger Sports ($34 at Baseball Express). J-bands are legendary among top flight pitchers, and a must for any serious hurler. I used a number of these movements in my career as a pitcher.

Weighted balls are another way, with experienced coaches and programs, to improve shoulder strength. This can be a touchy subject with debate linking to elbow injuries, but just do your research on how to train with them. Take responsibility for your arm and career. BASEBALL EXPRESS carries a CHAMPRO set for $29.95.

Light dumbbell work is also beneficial pre or post throw. Again, find a solid program. DICKS SPORTING GOODS carries 1-5 lbs. dumbbells (each sold separately) and that’s all you will need, no matter how strong you are. Even the best big leaguers pride themselves on the throwing motion and more specifically mechanics for pitchers. Strengthening all of the small muscles in their shoulder and elbow help to endure the unnatural pitching motion and the abrupt (and often damaging) deceleration required on every pitch. Its imperative to focus on the muscles around the shoulder, and you can do that with light weights.

Justin Verlander is shown here with the Connection Ball from YOUGOPRO BASEBALL ($11.99), another method to hone your skill set and protect your arm. The Connection Ball offers many opportunities for training proper mechanics that go beyond the scope of this post, but I encourage you to Google it as there are great demos out there. The basic concept is to isolate and train body mechanics. For example, Justin Verlander holds the ball between his wrist and shoulder to remind him not to extend his arm too early in the throwing motion, ensuring proper mechanics.

The Elbow

An elbow injury like tearing the ulnar collateral ligament can put you out for years, or worse. While Tommy John seems like a great option for pros, not every doctor is James Andrews and you’re far from guaranteed to come back throwing 102. The zipper scar might be cool, but is it worth it?

Like the shoulder, J-Bands and proper throwing mechanics can help keep your elbow healthy.

Compression Sleeves are often used to help with soreness, swelling and recovery with a little helping of swag. Get the EvoShield Adult Solid Compression armsleeve at BASEBALL EXPRESS for $17.95. For a better cold weather option, get your own number embroidered on a heavier cotton sleeve at CustomNumbered.com for $30.

A batter’s elbow guard can help you increase that OBP fearlessly and prevent a freak injury or just awful soreness after you get dotted in the tricep. Ronald Acuna Jr. is protected with swag in a gold customized EvoShield Guard.

The Wrist & Hands

Hurting your hand or wrist in baseball can be a season killer.

Catchers especially need to protect the hands & wrist. The All Star Pro Lace On Wrist Guard ($30), which laces on to the heel of your glove, is an absolute gem of a product for catchers. If you’re a good blocker of the baseball, then this is a product you’ll appreciate. For your hand and thumb, you can try an inner glove, or the Evoshield thumb guard. This is a very nuanced area for catchers and we see MLB catchers using a number of solutions to protect their hands.

Head-first slides are not faster, and they are more dangerous than sliding feet-first, but they enable the swim move and many of the best baserunners slide head-first. Head-first slides are safer with an oven mitt or a sliding wrist guard — depends if you’re concerned about your fingers or wrist. Dick’s has an Evoshield oven mitt for $50 to protect the fingers, and an Evoshield Sliding Wrist Guard is available at Evoshield.com for $45.

As a hitter, too many guys lose seasons because of a hit by pitch on the hand. Its not an easy area to protect, but G Form offers a possible solution in the Pure Contact padded batting gloves for $50.

Thumb

The most used product in the MLB, the ProHitter Hitting Aid, is available at BASEBALL EXPRESS for $11.95. The ProHitter protects the thumb while hitting when pitchers really start to ramp up the velo. If you are still learning to hit, this guard can help with a more confident swing. It’ll also save you if you get one off the handle on an early spring day in Chicago. Bonus Use: I played with a guy who put his thumb guard on his keychain in case he dropped his keys in the lake. Disclaimer **I have not tested if they float**

Below the Belt

CUPCHECK!!!! Always protect yourselves and knock before you walk onto the diamond or training facility. Get a Mueller Adult FlexShield protective cup at BASEBALL EXPRESS for $6.99.

Legs

For our ball players that can swipe bags…. sliding compression shorts or pants. Shop the many sliding shorts at EASTBAY—maybe go for 3/4 length if your wounds usually show up on your lower legs. Lastly, thank your field crew every day (or maybe help out?) and you might not leave with watermelon sized wounds after every slide.

Legs are a huge part of the game and they’re your biggest, most powerful muscles. They’re your foundation. For hitters, pick up shin, ankle, and foot guards for the most painful foul balls from EVOSHIELD and customize to your team colors. The Pro SRZ Batter’s Leg Guard covers them all for $69.99. Dominic Smith added his own flare to the straps.

Knee savers are great for catchers that are dealing with knee issues or still getting comfortable in the squat. As a coach, I love using knee savers while catching my students’ bullpens. Get ’em (Easton Ali-Med Catcher’s Knee Saver) at BASEBALL EXPRESS for $26.95 and squat comfortably like 2012 NL MVP Buster Posey.

Footwear

Finally, the feet. Molded cleats might be preferred over spikes for health reasons or for necessity. Big Leaguers, for example, are throwing off pristine mounds and playing on immaculate dirt, so for them, molded is viable. You can check out the latest cleats worn by Big Leaguers here. If you are playing in a “sandbox” or on concrete clay, and we have all been there, it’s best to have some traction to keep you balanced and prevent injury. You want the cleat or turf to be snug to the heel with some width for your toes so you can grab the ground. That is where our power originates in all facets of the game. Check out these sick Nike React Vapor Ultrafly Elite 4’s at EASTBAY for $100. Bo Bichette & George Springer fly around the diamond in these.

For those that feel confident that they’ll have enough traction in molded cleats, try the New Balance 4040v6 for $90.

Final Note: Practice Prevents Injuries

Closing this out like Mariano… Practicing your craft will always help you stay sharp and ultimately help you prevent injuries. Tools like the Great Hands Training Glove aka “pancake” from RAWLINGS can help with good angles on ground balls. This glove helps you achieve Lindor-like soft hands for $31.99. That way, you are fielding more balls instead of wearing them. Pitchers and Outfielders, throwing regular bullpens and long toss will increase arm strength and protect your arm long term. Get in a good daily routine, hydrate, eat well, sleep well, and take care of your body. You and only you are accountable for your career, so protect it.

The post The Baseball “Preventative Maintenance Kit”- 25 Products to Help Pitchers & Hitters stay safe and prevent injuries appeared first on What Pros Wear.