2024 Rawlings 318 Player Preferred Ash Wood Bat Review
Rawlings' Player Preferred 318 ash — a balanced, traditional ash gamer with a flexible, forgiving feel at $69.99.
There's a newer version available. See the 2026 318 Player Preferred Ash — the current model → 6.9/10Price just dropped $21 — that's 30% off and a great deal right now!
Check today's price →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: Preliminary score from the bat's construction, class, brand and price — an honest first pass we refine as we test more and any independent lab data appears.
Our Review
The Player Preferred 318 is a balanced ash bat with a medium barrel and the flexible, forgiving feel ash is known for. It suits contact hitters who like a lighter, traditional wood swing. Affordable, classic wood at $69.99.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Balanced, flexible ash feel
- Traditional gamer at a value price
Cons
- Ash is less durable than maple
- Softer pop than dense maple
Full Specifications
| Brand | Rawlings |
|---|---|
| Model | 318 Player Preferred Ash |
| Model Year | 2024 |
| Certification | Wood |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Construction | Pro-grade ash |
| Model # | RPA6318 |
| Drop | — |
| Barrel | 2 1/2" |
| Swing Weight | Balanced |
| MSRP | $69.99 |
Where to Buy
2024 Rawlings 318 Player Preferred Ash Wood Bat — FAQ
Is the 2024 Rawlings 318 Player Preferred Ash a good Wood bat?
We rate it 7.9/10 (Grade B). Rawlings' Player Preferred 318 ash — a balanced, traditional ash gamer with a flexible, forgiving feel at $69.99.
How much does the 2024 318 Player Preferred Ash cost?
MSRP is $69.99. We've seen it for $49. 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: CheapBats — Rawlings 318 Player Preferred Ash Wood Baseball Bat RPA6318