Best Catcher’s Mitts (Top Rated Picks For 2023)

You can be the best catcher in the world. But if your catcher’s mitt isn’t the greatest, you will experience some setbacks. To set yourself up for success, it’s important to make sure your catcher’s mitt works for you, not against you.

Let’s take a look at our top picks for the best catcher’s mitts of 2023.

The Best Catcher’s Mitts

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Best Overall Catcher’s Mitt – Wilson 2023 A2K M1D (Our Top Pick)

Due to the mitt’s pocket placement, the new and improved Wilson catcher’s mitt is one of the best. The drawstring feature makes it the most well-constructed baseball mitts to date.

Should You Buy This?

YES:

The Wilson 2023 A2K catcher’s mitt is the perfect combination of flexible yet sturdy. It gives catchers the freedom to comfortably move their hands with a mitt that maintains its shape. If you catch with your right hand, the Wilson A2K mitt could be great for you.

NO:

There are two details about the 2023 Wilson A2K catcher’s mitt that might deter people from purchasing it. This mitt happens to be one of the most expensive out there. Additionally, the Wilson 2023 is for right-handed players. Catchers who favor their left hands are not the best fit for the Wilson A2K best overall catcher’s mitt.

The Good

• Excellent design
• Adjustable features
• Flexibility meets protection

The Bad

• Expensive
• Right-hand use only

The Verdict

The Wilson A2K catcher’s mitt is all about performance. The design is top tier, and the adjustability is incredible. However, it is not a cheap mitt, so it might not fall into everyone’s preferred price range. Additionally, it’s only suitable for wear by right-handed catchers.

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The Runner-Up - Rawlings R9 32.5″ Baseball Catcher’s Mitt

This mitt is an incredible option for high school players and young catchers alike. The Rawlings R9 catcher’s mitt is a conventional baseball mitt. It comes with excellent padding not only in the finger spaces but along the palm of the mitt as well.

Should You Buy This?

YES:

The Rawlings R9 catcher’s mitt is an affordable version of the best catcher’s mitt. If you are a younger baseball player, the Rawlings R9 might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a very comfortable mitt as well. The thickness of the padding is an amazing addition.

NO:

Made out of leather materials, this baseball mitt is great for any player. This mitt carries its weight when put up against our best overall choice. But we placed it as the runner-up for one reason in particular: the short lifespan of the mitt.

Since the Rawlings R9 is for younger players, it may not be the best pick for long-term use. Players might need to replace the Rawlings R9 sooner than other mitts, and it does not perform as well as the Wilson A2K.

The Good

• Thick padding inside of the entire mitt
• Made out of quality leather
• Great for beginners and high school players

The Bad

• Has a shorter life span
• Weighs more than others because of leather material

The Verdict

Young catchers will love the Rawlings R9 catcher’s mitt. The mitt’s thickness helps catchers feel comfortable catching incoming balls on the pitch. This is because the padding is thick and protective. The mitt is heavier than most. So, the added weight might make movements more complicated depending on the player.

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Best Catcher’s Mitt for Youth Baseball Players – Akadema Prodigy AGC 98

Recognized for its latest technology, the AGC 98 youth catcher’s mitt is perfect for young players who take pride in their pitch performance.

Should You Buy This?

YES:

Hall of Fame superstar and famous American catcher, Gary Carter, played a role in this performance-focused youth’s mitt design process. With a circumference of 32″ and a quarter-inch of rawhide material lacing, this mitt is a decent size.

The ACG 98 youth catcher’s mitt is suitable for all youth catchers out. You can wear it on either the left or the right hand. One of the most impressive aspects of this mitt is the protective feature. This sturdy and well-constructed mitt acts as a shield against the shock of incoming baseballs.

NO:

Since this catcher’s mitt is for youth baseball players, we don’t encourage professional level catchers to buy the Akadema Prodigy catcher’s mitt. It’s not ideal for high-intensity catching games, so pro catchers run the risk of injury with this mitt.

The Good

• Very protective
• Updated technology
• Sturdy and strong
• Versatile

The Bad

• Weighs more than synthetic mitts

The Verdict

Catchers who wear the Akadema AGC 98 youth catcher’s mitt trust the shock-absorbing feature to protect their hands. No matter their incoming catch speed, the mitt absorbs the force. The mitt is extremely affordable compared to others, making it a great deal for youth baseball players.

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Best Fastpitch Catcher’s Mitt – Wilson A2000 FP 34″

The 2023 A2000 34″ catcher’s mitt follows the design of the original Wilson A2000 FP mitt. It helps catchers achieve better grip and accuracy.

Should You Buy This?

YES:

With two hand orientation options, the fastpitch glove series is for left-handed and right-handed catchers alike. Sized at thirty-four inches, The Wilson A2000FP is great for adult fastpitch catchers.

This must-have fastpitch glove is a lightweight material that looks and feels like genuine leather but weighs far less. The microfiber and leather material, SuperSkin, is an alternative to the heaviness of pure leather mitts.

It is fully adjustable, thanks to the velcro design around the wrist. A drawstring allows for even more flexibility and adjustability for fastpitch catchers.

Inside the glove, fastpitch catchers will notice that the lining pulls sweat away from the hand and keeps you dry while playing an intense game of fastpitch. Known as DriLex lining, this fastpitch catcher’s mitt’s internal padding prevents players from overheating and getting distracted during the game.

NO:

This catcher’s mitt is on the pricier side, so it’s not a good fit for you if you are on a budget. It also doesn’t make sense to spend a lot of money on a mitt if your hands are still growing, so we recommend that children not buy this catcher’s mitt. It’s best for adult catchers.

The Good

• Lightweight microfiber material
• Sweat-reducing features
• Dual hand orientation options
• Adjustable

The Bad

• Faux leather
• Very spendy

The Verdict

The fastpitch catcher’s mitt from Wilson is pricey, but though the cost might seem high, this mitt is well worth the price. Trust us when we tell you that the Wilson A2000 is gorgeous. The price reflects just how much attention to detail went into the design process.

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Best Catcher’s Mitt for High School – Mizuno Prospect GXC105

At the high school level of gameplay, it’s all about finding a balance between a reasonable price and a well-made mitt, which is where the Mizuno Prospect GXC105 Youth Catcher’s Mitt comes into the picture.

Should You Buy This?

YES:

For all the high school catchers out there, our top recommendation for the best catcher’s mitt for school catchers is the Mizuno Prospect GXC105 Youth Catcher’s Mitt. Catchers are still going through growth spurts in high school, so it makes sense to find an affordable catcher’s mitt.

With this mitt, you don’t have to compromise the quality for a good price. If a mitt is incredibly cheap yet poorly made, the catcher will run the risk of sustaining a hand injury during games due to a cheap product’s poor design. With the Mizuno Prospect mitt, you get the best of both worlds.

NO:

This catcher’s mitt won’t last forever, so only purchase it if you want to replace your catcher’s mitt in a year or two.

The Good

• Low cost
• High quality

The Bad

• Not designed to last forever
• Will need replacing sooner than others

The Verdict

With an affordable price point, this Mizuno model catcher’s mitt is a great option for young catchers. The Mizuno Prospect GXC105 Youth Catcher’s Mitt is a heavy-duty leather material made out of pigskin. High school level catchers will experience optimal comfort levels with this mitt. They will also feel protected by the leather glove’s durable design.

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5 Things to Think About When Looking for the Best Catcher’s Mitt

If you are in the market for a brand new catcher’s mitt, there are certain details you should pay attention to when searching. Here are the top five things to think about and consider when looking for your next best catcher’s mitt.

Type of Material

Not all mitts use the same material. The material of your catcher’s mitt makes a difference in how well it performs during game time. While traditional mitts use leather, modern equipment often involves a combination of materials.

When looking at new catcher’s mitts, you’ll see four prevalent material types:

• Durable Leather
• Softer Leather
• Synthetic Mesh
• Synthetic in General

Durable Leather

Durable leather catcher’s mitts are typically better-suited for professional catchers on pro baseball teams. The durability of these mitts make for more effective gameplay, and they also hold up the best, which is essential for catchers at the professional level.

As positive as a durable leather catcher’s mitt can be at the professional level of play, there are two major downsides to this material. The primary issue is that durable leather is a bit heavier than mitts made out of other materials. Some breaking in may be necessary before players (especially younger ones) can manage this type of mitt.

In addition to the heaviness of durable leather, there is also a very noticeable price difference between durable leather mitts and mitts made of different materials. For an older player, a higher-priced mitt might be worth it. For younger players who are still growing, prepare to purchase a handful of catcher’s mitts before your child makes it to the big leagues.

Soft Leather

Durable leather is not the only type of leather used in crafting catcher’s mitts. Softer leathers are often incorporated in these mitts, as well. It’s for players that are either new to the game or only play casually.

Soft leather does not maintain its shape or durability as well as hard leather mitts, which is why they are excellent for novice catchers. Soft leather mitts are far less expensive than the mitts made from durable leather, as well.

Because of this significant price difference, soft leather mitts can also be a great trial mitt for players making the transition to a durable leather mitt but wanting to see what a leather mitt is like first. Keep in mind that soft leather gloves will not last nearly as long as durable leather catcher’s mitts.

It’s essential to keep an eye on soft leather mitts. They have a shorter lifespan than most leather gloves, and they might not last as long as you expect.

Synthetic Mesh

Don’t let the title of this material fool you. These gloves use real leather material. The only synthetic part about them is their mesh backing.

Like synthetic catcher’s mitts, these mesh-backed mitts are very lightweight. A mix of leather and synthetic material makes these mitts a perfect combination.

Synthetic in General

Synthetic catcher’s mitts are the best for youth players. They can stretch while taking the shape of the catcher’s hands. Instead of being stiff like many durable leather mitts, synthetic mitts are lighter and form-fitting.

Young catchers benefit the most from synthetic catcher’s mitts. They provide space for their still-growing hands to spread out.

These types of catcher’s mitts also won’t break the bank. Synthetic gloves are the most affordable of all types of catcher’s mitts. It costs less to replace a synthetic catcher’s mitt that a young player has outgrown.

The Adjustability Options

When looking for a new catcher’s mitt, one of the most important deciding factors is whether or not it fits. As impressive as the features of a catcher’s mitt might be, none of it matters if the mitt does not fit your hand correctly.

Thankfully, many mitts on the market offer an adjustability feature that allows you to alter the fit slightly. This feature is a fantastic addition to an already well-made glove because it allows you room to grow.

You can adjust the mitt instead of having to throw it out and replace it immediately. Usually, the laces on the outside of the mitt make this mitt very adjustable. When trying on a new mitt, test out the laces, and see how adjustable it is before committing to the glove.

The Size

The sizing of a catcher’s mitt is the leading player in whether or not you should purchase the mitt. If a glove is either too big or too small, you will not be able to be at your best while playing the game.

The key is to find a mitt that fits you but not too snugly to the point where it is uncomfortable. If you are unsure where to start, the typical sizing guide for catchers suggests certain mitt sizes based on your age.

For example, young baseball players between the ages of eight and ten should look for a catcher’s mitt between 30 and 31 inches. Not every ten-year-old baseball player has the same sized hand, so it’s normal to diverge from the typical size for players your age.

No matter how big or small your hand is, the fit of a catcher’s mitt is a priority.

The Type of Webbing

Believe it or not, the webbing of a catcher’s mitt affects how strong and stable the mitt is overall. The two types of mitt webbing are open and closed. These are relatively straightforward ways of describing the differences in webbing.

Closed webbing catcher’s mitts do not leave much room, if any, between the fabric connecting the pointer finger and the thumb. Closed web gloves have their advantages, but some players find that the closed webbing makes it more difficult to accurately and securely catch the ball.

Open webbing mitts create a more natural grip for players to work with, especially when catching the ball. This has everything to do with the flexibility that open webbing allows. There is usually a space between the material connecting the pointer finger and the thumb. This space allows for more of a grabbing movement than closed webbing catcher’s mitts.

The Overall Thickness of the Padding

Finally, whenever you catch a baseball, there is always a possibility of feeling a bit of pain due to the high speeds. However, catcher’s mitts should minimize the shock that you feel, if any.

The shock-absorbing ability of catcher’s mitts is a result of the mitt’s thick padding. The more padding, the higher the shock-absorption. If you don’t like the feeling of the ball hitting your hand and sending a wave of shock, you should search for a glove with thicker padding.

Make sure you try on a catcher’s mitt before committing to it merely because it has a decent amount of padding. Thick padding is an amazing feature. But if the padding does not fit well with your hand, then the mitt won’t work as well as it should.

Closing Thoughts: Best Catcher’s Gloves

Searching for the right catcher’s mitt for your needs can be a daunting task. First, determine your level and frequency of play. From there, you can decide what material is necessary for you.

Consider the adjustability of the glove and the size. The overall thickness is another essential factor for comfort and longevity. Our top pick is the Wilson 2023 A2K M1D because it takes all of these details into consideration. Of course, you’ll want to choose a catcher’s mitt based on your unique needs for the best results.

No matter what you prefer, we are sure you can find a fantastic mitt. Start by trying out these 5 top choices for the best catcher’s mitts in 2023!