2026 Old Hickory JD28 J.D. Martinez Pro Maple Wood Bat Review
J.D. Martinez's pro model — a long-barrel turn with great balance, a thin handle and a traditional 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: The long barrel earns a top sweet-spot score and the balance keeps swing ease high; power is strong without an extreme end-load. Pro-grade maple and the 60-day warranty keep durability and value up.
Our Review
The JD28 is J.D. Martinez's Old Hickory turn. It features a long, medium-to-large barrel with great balance, a thin handle and a traditional knob, the kind of clean all-around profile a disciplined gap-to-gap power hitter favors. The long barrel keeps the sweet spot generous while the balance keeps it quick, and the thin handle gives it a bit of whip without going to a true power-turn extreme. Made to order from #1-grade hard rock maple or birch with the 60-day warranty. A versatile, proven pro game model for a hitter who wants length and balance over raw end-load.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Long barrel with a generous sweet spot and great balance
- Proven pro game model from a respected hitter
- Made to order in maple or birch with a 60-day warranty
Cons
- Thin handle offers less protection on mis-hits
- Made-to-order with a 3-4 week build time
Full Specifications
| Brand | Old Hickory |
|---|---|
| Model | JD28 J.D. Martinez Pro Maple |
| Model Year | 2026 |
| Certification | Wood |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Construction | Custom Pro maple |
| Model # | JD28 |
| Drop | -3 |
| Barrel | Large |
| Swing Weight | Balanced |
| MSRP | $199 |
Where to Buy
2026 Old Hickory JD28 J.D. Martinez Pro Maple Wood Bat — FAQ
Is the 2026 Old Hickory JD28 J.D. Martinez Pro Maple a good Wood bat?
We rate it 8.4/10 (Grade A). J.D. Martinez's pro model — a long-barrel turn with great balance, a thin handle and a traditional knob.
What drops does the JD28 J.D. Martinez Pro Maple come in?
The 2026 JD28 J.D. Martinez Pro Maple Wood comes in -3.
How much does the 2026 JD28 J.D. Martinez 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 — JD28 Custom · Bases Loaded — Old Hickory JD28 J.D. Martinez