In this post, I am going to outline what I feel are the best catchers mitts this year. With so many options everywhere, I think you’ll agree with me when I say:
Finding a catchers mitt that fits well, lasts multiple seasons, and does not cost an arm and a leg is HARD!
Until now.
Further below, you will learn about 5 choices that I believe can be considered as the better options. Now…this isn’t a list of the most expensive mitts, or mitts that are designed for competitive players. Instead it is a list of mitts that vary in cost, size, and skill level. I believe that this page will provide a great option for any catcher.
So let’s begin!
Wilson A2000 M2 Superskin – Best Overall
When it comes to a list of the best catchers mitts, the Wilson A2000 M2 needs to be on it!
If you are looking for a high-end, long lasting glove, you really can’t go wrong with a trusted name like Wilson.
Wilson has spent hours upon hours with professional players, working to improve their already time-tested, player-approved glove, and the final, ever-refining product line is the SuperSkin series.
A few things, besides the high-end price-tag, set this model apart from the herd.
Construction
The first is the world-famous Pro Stock Leather from which the mitt is made. Wilson’s Pro Stock Leather is prized by professional ballplayers the world over for its durability. It’s true that that durability comes at a hefty price, monetarily, but it also comes at a much smaller price, convenience-wise.
These mitts are very stiff at first, making break-in time a drag, but they will last for season after season. The same factors that make these so hard to break in are what ensure you get the most use of your glove in the end, and that’s a pretty fair trade.
Fingerbacks
Another part of the painstaking, ever-evolving design that went into this mitt is the dual welting along the finger backs. This small, easily overlooked detail is what keeps Wilson’s pockets so durable and your hard-won break in effective.
Comfort
But Wilson is concerned with more than just functionality and reliability from their products. They also want them to be comfortable for your whole game, and your whole season. The heavy, enclosed leather of a catcher’s mitt will make your hand sweaty and hot. The Dri-Lex lining keeps you from dropping the ball by wicking away that moisture, keeping your hand cool, dry, and as quick as ever.
This is a serious choice for serious players, and is well worth the expense and the extra break-in time. Treat it well and don’t take any shortcuts, and it will last you seasons upon seasons.
Rawlings Heart of the Hide – Best for 2023!
If your budding baseball legend dreams of the big leagues, why not help them look the part with this Pro-style mitt from the Rawlings Heart of the Hide series?
The Heart of the Hide series of gloves have been around for a while now for good reason.
They offer great durability, a solid construction and rival the more popular Wilson A2000 series we discussed earlier.
This game-ready model is tailed for older players such as travel team players, collegiate and more.
Shell
The Heart of the Hide is built with a Carbon Fiber Hyper Shell. At first glance this sounds a bit odd and cheap. However, it’s quite the opposite! What this shells helps with most is in the weight of the mitt. According to the specifications, on average, the mitt is 3.5 ounces lighter than other mitts. So if you are looking for the lightest feeling mitt available – here is your chance.
Quality
When it comes to Rawlings gloves, often the most desired are the Heart of the Hide models. Due to their quality and longevity, many players keep coming back to them. In fact, Rawlings prides themselves so much in their gloves that they’ve always handed out Gold Glove and Finest in the Field awards for the best defensive players in the game. These would make a great mitt for any advanced player that can handle it’s quality.
All Star Pro – Best Competitive Mitt
It’s difficult, and often quite expensive, to put a price on perfection.
That’s exactly the case with the All Star Pro Elite series.
This mitt is extremely popular in the world of professional baseball, and for many good reasons!
It is a superior choice for serious players, and it has the price-tag to prove it and the praise and loyalty to match, some even calling it the best mitt on the market today.
You will be able to tell the difference that the finest materials and hand-craftsmanship make as soon as you put it on.
Leather Construction
Good leather is what makes or breaks (sometimes literally) a mitt. The leather used for the Elite series is used only on All-Star models and is part of what makes their design so appealing. The Japanese-tanned, U.S. Steerhide simultaneously speeds up the break in while extending it’s life. You’ll be able to catch with it sooner and it will last you for season after season.
Design
But the real achievement of the Elite line is its exceptional design. The pocket is extended and features a profiled toe, excellent for scooping up the ball as well as added control and strength. Beyond that, the black and tan leather combinations make their own separate contributions to the quality of the glove.
The soft, tan palm leather makes an amazing pocket with a good, loud “pop” while the sturdy black leather back gives you all the support you need to control the ball.
This mitt may come at a high price, but it is well worth it in benefits. It’s easier to be the best when you play with the best, and that means paying for the best as well.
Rawlings R9 – Best Youth Mitt
Finding a great, high-quality mitt can be a challenge, even for adult players, but younger players face an additional hurdle.
Because their hands are still growing, it can be difficult to find a good mitt for a good price, which is important since it will need to be replaced more frequently, not due to wear, but due to larger hand size.
Rawlings has made it a priority to make this search for the perfect youth glove an easy one.
Their R9 Series mitt is made for comfort, quality, and ease of use, but first and foremost, it’s affordable.
Designed for Younger Players
Form and functionality are just as important as price when searching for the perfect option for a budding baseball star, and this is one of the best options available. It is tailored to smaller hands, from the openings to the finger stalls, without compromising is ability to get the job done. Another great thing for younger players is the break-in period is incredibly quick as right from the factory it comes approximately already 80% broken in. Catchers will still need some time to break it in themselves – but this time should be much shorter than most other models!
Protection
The Rawlings R9 features additional and reinforced padding along the palm area which is quite beneficial to young catchers. This extra padding helps to deaden the ball on impact and therefore reduces much of the pain a catcher could experience with fastballs or foul tips.
Comfort Level
The leather used to make this mitt provides catchers with a soft and comfortable feel. This is important for a younger catcher so they aren’t concentrating so much on their glove and instead paying more attention to the field. In addition – as opposed to many other youth mitts – the Rawlings R9 provides more padding in the finger lining along with a thumb loop making it comfortable between the finger and hand areas. This, in combination with the smaller hand openings as discussed earlier, should provide youth level catchers with a high quality mitt to help performance.
Marucci Krewe – Best Mitt under $100
For the longest time, Marucci did not have a specialized mitt that we’ve decided to showcase on this page.
That has now changed!
The Marucci Krewe catchers mitt is a great option for catchers, especially with its sleek and refined look along with the performance and durability features.
But, one of the most attractive features of this mitt is its competitive price (right now it costs under $100).
If you are looking for a good looking, good playing glove that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg (you need those to play, after all), the Krewe might be exactly what you’re searching for. For high school players this may represent a great option due to its quality and affordability.
Leather
The Marucci Krewe is built using high quality steerhide leather which should provide you with many years of use. The nice thing about this leather is that it isn’t that stiff which allows a quicker and easier break in. There is nothing worse than trying to loosen up a non-broken in glove!
Comfort
Comfort wise, the Krewe offers quite a bit of padding all along the palm area to prevent ball sting as much as possible. In addition, something you’ve probably experienced with other gloves in the past is the frequent tearing of the lace on the exterior of the pocket. This mitt offers vertical lacing which is supposed to lower the chance of tearing and therefore having to replace laces.
Wide Target
Another helpful aspect to the Krewe mitt is its large, deep pocket which allows for easier catching and provides your pitcher with a larger area to throw strikes. Some catchers aren’t big fans of deep pockets as they find it hinders the ability to secure the ball on close plays at the plate. In most models this is a very valid concern. However the Krewe contains a thicker heel area to help with ball security.
This is one instance where price does not reflect quality. Though far more affordable, this glove is easily on par with the rest of the best on the market. Not only is it mostly broken in already, but it won’t break your fingers or the bank.
Characteristics of the Best Catchers Mitts
In my opinion the catchers mitt is one of the hardest things to find as there are many things to consider including sizing, pocket type, and much more.
So finding the best catchers mitt is quite subjective.
However, I feel that the 5 on this page would be a great start for any catcher.
There are several items you should consider when looking for a brand new mitt including:
- Budget – Like most other equipment, the price range varies tremendously. They can be had for as low as $30 and can go up to $300 for the really specialized gloves.
- Single vs Dual hinge – many players prefer a dual hinge as the mitt feels much closer to mimicking the actual hand
- Size – Youth models typically are sized around 32 inches which is a perfect size for ages 10, 11 or 12. Sizes then go up to the more common 32.5, 33, and 33.5 inches that are used for catchers aged approximately 13 or older. Sizes of mitts can go all the way to 34.5″ for larger hands. Please see how to size information below.
- Brand – some brands are much better than others. I’ve provided my favorite choices above
- Baseball or softball – specific exist to make female players feel much more comfortable. Narrower finger stalls and openings allow for female players to have just as much success.
Sizing Considerations for Mitts
As opposed to regular baseball gloves, catchers mitts are sized by the circumference length and not the length of the hand. If you already know your glove size, calculating the circumference you need is very easy.
First, subtract the length of a regular sized glove that you’d wear from 12.5 (the largest size).
Next take this number and subtract it from the largest catchers mitt size of 34.5. This resulting number is the proper size for you.
Typically a younger catcher will need a size of 31 to 32 inches, where an adult level catcher will range from 33 to 34 inches.
Why a Mitt and not a Glove?
Just like all other players on the field, a catcher is required to wear a glove.
However, instead of calling it a glove, the catcher calls it a mitt instead. So what is the difference between the two?
The catcher’s glove is called a mitt as it does not contain individual finger components that you find in regular baseball gloves.
In addition, the mitt is specially designed with a unique larger sized pocket to help trap the ball and meet the demands of the numerous times a catcher will have to catch the ball during a game.
It also includes extra protection and a unique shape that helps a pitcher see an bigger and easier target to throw the ball.
You can see more difference from this great article.
In Summary
I often get asked what the top catchers mitts are right now.
For the year 2023, there are 5 main models that stand out the most including the Rawlings R9 series (youth), the Wilson A2000 (Adult), and the Under Armour Converge (adult) series.
The Prospect series itself is the most sold so far as it is one of the least expensive mitts around and offers youth players quite a bit of extra features.
The Gold Glove Gamer and the A2403 (coming from the A2000) family have been staples in the industry for years and years.
The Wilson A2000 M2 catchers mitt is ideal for competitive catchers as it features MLB’s most popular catchers mitt pattern. That being said, it is expensive and as mentioned earlier should normally only be needed by competitive catchers.