Getting ready for the new baseball season? Want to outshine on the field? That is only possible if you have the best baseball gloves. Having the perfect equipment can up your performance. With the sheer number of baseball gloves out there, it can be daunting for a person to choose the perfect one. Worry not; we are here to help you with exactly that.

The popular saying “fits perfectly like a glove” assumes a different meaning with regards to finding the best baseball gloves. You need to find the perfect match since the glove could end up being your trusted buddy for a long while. A glove resembles fine wine, it improves with age. Thus, you need to find the baseball glove which will last you for quite some time to come.

 There are different types of baseball gloves. Choosing the one which is perfect for you takes a lot of research and consumes a lot of time. To save you all that time, energy and effort we have put together this list of top 9 best baseball gloves present on the market.

These gloves are as perfect as they can get. Still, baseball gloves are different for every player and should be chosen according to your personal preferences. We have put together a compact yet comprehensive buying guide which will help you understand which factors should be looked into when buying the best baseball gloves.

Our Ultimate 9 Best Baseball Gloves Review and Buying Guide

Wilson: “A2000” Series

Wilson is the first one on our review list as they have been delivering great gloves for several decades, with a high level of commitment to providing quality craftsmanship. The Wilson signature glove is the A2000. 

It has great quality, high durability and is very breathable. The lacing and stitch work on this baseball glove is exquisite. Many major league players use this glove while playing and with good reason too.

Pros

• Great quality
• Very short break-in time
• Breathable Leather
• Dual Welting
• Durable 

Cons

• The laces are a bit frail

Should I go for it?

Many professional baseball players prefer the Wilson A2000. This is because of its great design, quality and functionality. You will not be disappointed with these.

Rawlings Heart of the Hide Series

Rawlings is another great name when it comes to baseball glove manufacturers. They deliver top-quality items at affordable prices. The Heart of the Hide series is no exception to it. It is built from high-quality premium leather and a leather interior lining as well. The leather is full grain, which adds to the durability and stability of the glove. 

Comfortable to wear, it molds perfectly to the back of your hand. It is breathable; thus you will not have to worry about sweat being an issue to your performance.

Pros

• High-quality leather
• Full-grain Leather
• Durable
• Breathable
• The interior lining of leather

Cons

• Takes some time to break-in

Should I go for it?

You cannot go wrong with the Rawlings Heart of the Hide series. There are several colors and sizing options available. You can choose the one you like and rest assured that you have bought a baseball glove which will last you for a long period.

Akadema AMR34 Precision Series Glove

Akadema is fairly new to the glove-making market, however, they continue to impress every year. Most amazingly, their gloves are game-ready within a week of opening them up. This is the shortest break-in time for any baseball glove manufactured so far.

The pocket of this glove is pretty wide, which is amazing as it gives enhanced protection, especially for people with big hands. It is made of high-quality leather which makes the gloves very flexible and durable.

Pros

• Made from Kip leather as well
• Lighter
• Provides a tight stitch
• Great tensile strength
• No need for a long break-in period
• Durable
• Affordable

Cons

• Beginner-level gloves don’t have a lot of variety

Should I go for it?

Major players such as Kevin Pillar and Shane Victorino use Akadema baseball gloves. There is a reason why these players have chosen Akadema gloves. It is because of the amazing quality and durability which is provided by the manufacturers. If you are looking for a baseball glove which will last you for quite some time, then this is the one for you.

Wilson A900

A standout amongst the top-rated baseball gloves, the A900 flaunts a full leather fabrication that guarantees durability and comfort. It is appropriate to use no matter which position you are playing for, which implies that flexibility is one of its main features. Since it is game-ready, you do not have to rehearse at home with it to loosen it. You can instead go with it on the field and start playing immediately.

It is 11.5-inches in size and works perfectly for teenagers and individuals who have little hands. To guarantee flexibility, while keeping up the stability and security you need during the game, it includes a twofold palm construction and a smart low-profile heel.

Pros

• Opens up easily because of the low-profile heels
• Molds to the shape of your hand
• Great pocket stability
• Game-ready
• Durable

Cons

• A bit expensive

Should I go for it?

Ready to be used right out of the box, the Wilson A900 is a durable, leather model which fits your hand easily and can be utilized regardless of the position you play in. It is a flexible choice

Rawlings Player Preferred

Quality and sturdiness are two of the principle characteristics present in Player Preferred, a glove we prescribe to all the slow-pitch baseball players present out there. The design of this glove and the way it is manufactured, makes it one of the perfect gloves available.

Although it doesn’t come in different colors, it does come in various sizes. There are 4 size options with this baseball glove. This means that you will not have a tough time finding the perfect size for you.  The back design is conventional and the Velcro strap gives you the ability to tighten the glove as much as you like.

Pros

• Palm Padding
• Velcro strap 
• Webbing 
• Leather 
• Shape retention 

Cons

• A bit difficult to break-in
• The price tag may dissuade some buyers

Should I go for it?

A mitt worth every cent is the Player Preferred from Rawlings, a mitt we strongly recommend due to its reasonable asking price and quality full grain leather shell. Just note that it is designed for slow pitching, an aspect you have to keep in mind to make sure it is the right pick for you. Don’t forget about its all position usability as it is one of the few mitts that provide this luxury.

Rawlings Renegade

Rawlings shows up in our list again, this time with Renegade, which is a great option for beginners and recreational players hoping to improve and one day possibly make it to the League. The first thing which makes it appealing is its extremely low cost. It’s price value guarantees that it will accommodate your financial limit, no matter how limited it might be.

We can’t disregard the fact that it comes in 5 distinctive size choices to suit your preferences or the size of your hands. They are available in 4 different options. One of its greatest features, by a wide margin, is the way that it comes 90 percent broken-in from the company, a lot more than what other models available on the market offers. It is almost ready-to-play and it provides excellent cushioning to the hand against ball impact as well.

Pros

• 5 size options available
• Easy to break-in
• Great webbing
• Can be used in any playing position
• Comes with high-quality cushioning
• Lightweight
• Durable
• Affordable
•  Flexible

Cons

• Works fine for recreational games but not for professional games
• There might be some issues with the fit

Should I go for it?

This glove is pretty easy to break-in. It has a low price tag and is durable as well. If you look at all the features it offers for its price tag, it is a real bargain, one that you should not miss if you are an entry-level player.

Wilson A360

When you see the name Wilson, you should realize that the item before you is for sure a quality one. The A360 makes no special case to this standard, being a perfect choice for young players, paying little heed to their aptitude level. This glove is also perfect for grown-ups who have not yet turned out to be professional players but are rather attempting to learn and perfect their game. It is a utility size baseball glove which we highly recommend. The web and the palm are made with high-quality leather which gives you maximum possible flexibility.

There are five different size choices you can pick from. With regards to the orientation of the hand, you can either pick the right-handed model or the left-handed model. It includes a hook as well as a loop strap that enables you to fit the glove to the size of your hand. This gives you a sense of stability and security, which is very important when you are out playing in the field.

Pros

• Has a hook strap
• Comes with a loop strap
• Breaks in easily
• Several models available
• Open back style
• Comfortable
• Durable

Cons

• Not meant for professional use
• A bit stiff

Should I go for it?

It is a great Wilson product with excellent quality and shape. If you are a young player who is looking for durability and comfort, Wilson A360 will not disappoint you.

Franklin Sports Field Master Series

If you are a learner or a recreational baseball player, then the Franklin Field Master Series is the correct choice for you. Its profile is superbly appropriate for novices and beginners. What’s more, it comes at an affordable price range which makes it more enticing for beginners or people with a budget.

One of the things which make this glove standout is the fact that it comes in 7 different sizes. This means that no matter what your size preference is, or what the size of your hand is, you will find the perfect fit for you.

Each size is appropriate for a specific position in the field, so you need to choose the glove keeping in mind the position you will be playing at. With regards to tossing style, it has both the right-handed and left-handed models available, so you can choose the one which suits your throwing style. The deep pocket makes it easy to catch the ball and maintain a firm grip on it, thus making it very easy for you to play.

Pros

• Contour fit system
• Great pocket
• Multiple size options
• Great web design
• Price to quality ratio is good

Cons

• Made from synthetic leather
• Not quite breathable

Should I go for it?

If you are on a tight budget and want a highly affordable baseball glove, which will perform well in recreational baseball games, you should choose Franklin Sports baseball gloves. Even though it has a body made of synthetic leather, it is quite durable. The price to quality ratio is pretty high as well, making it an ideal, budgeted choice

Mizuno GMVP1154SE4 MVP Prime SE Gloves

The Mizuno GMVP1154SE4 MVP Prime SE Gloves are made for the best performance within an affordable price range. It is made of good quality leather and is highly breathable. It is very easy to break-in and has a good, deep center pocket.

Make sure what position you are going to play at. Then choose the size of the baseball gloves in accordance with that.

Pros

• Modern design
• Soft Leather
• Durable
• Deep Pocket
• Flexible

Cons

• Padding is not very thick

Should I go for it?

It has an amazing design with attention paid to the minutest details. The deep center pocket makes it an interesting choice.

Mizuno GPP1150Y1 Youth Prospect Ball Glove

The Mizuno GPP1150Y1 Youth Prospect Ball Glove is an interesting option. It gives excellent performance and has a great, flexible build. It has a nice looking design which is perfect to be used by young baseball players. It comes with power lock closure which makes sure that the glove fits your hand snuggly.

It has a fast break-in time, thus allowing you to play in the field almost immediately. All in all, it is a great choice.

Pros

• Distinct design
• Both left and right-hand throw
• Comes with hell flex technology
• Durable
• Power Lock

Cons

• Intended for youth level use only

Should I go for it?

When it comes to closure response, this glove is a pretty interesting option. It is durable, affordable and fits your hand perfectly.

Your Best Baseball Gloves Buying Guide

There are various features which makes a baseball glove better and stand out. Before you make the final decision about the one you are going to buy, you need to know which features are present in it. Are you a beginner and have no idea where to begin? You don’t have to worry. We have covered all the important things you need to look for in a baseball glove before buying it. Here are those factors.

Size

When it comes to the size of baseball gloves, bigger is not, in every case, better. This will generally rely upon your playing position. For infielders, it is important to field the ball cleanly and having the ability to transfer the ball quickly from glove to the throwing hand is pretty important. Therefore, a small glove which has a shallow pocket would be better as it will make it simple to take the ball out of the glove and transfer it. 

Material

The fundamental difference in the quality and nature of a baseball glove is the quality of leather. It has a huge effect on the durability, performance, softness, feel, and look and break-in time of the glove. Generally, the stiffer the leather is, the higher will be its quality.

Thus, this additionally implies it will take a long time to break the glove in. After some time, the leather will begin to mold to the hand of the player. There are 3 types of leather which are used in baseball gloves. They are as follows:

Full-Grain Leather

It is the highest quality leather. You get the perfect amount of breathability with the grains. It is highly durable as well.

Top-Grain Leather

It is the second best type of leather available. It is thin and pliable as compared to the full-grain.

Synthetic Leather

It’s very affordable and is great for those who are new to playing baseball.

Position you play

Baseball gloves are intended for various field positions. Therefore, there are differences between infielder’s glove, catcher’s gloves, first baseman gloves and outfielder gloves.

Catcher’s gloves are generally in the shape of gloves with a fingerless plan. Infielder gloves tend to have a fingered structure with a shallow pocket to rapidly transfer the ball.

Outfielder gloves are planned with more deep pockets to enable outfielders to effortlessly catch the fly balls. First baseman gloves accompany a wide and long glove configuration to guarantee that the first baseman can pretty easily pick the ball up from the ground. So relying upon the position you play, you ought to pick a particular sort of baseball glove. There is no single glove which will miraculously perform for all positions.

Right-hand throw or left hand

Baseball gloves will either be left-handed or right-handed.  A right-handed player must use a right-handed baseball glove since the position of thumb and fingers are reversed in the left-handed glove.

Likewise, a left-handed baseball player can make use only of a left-handed baseball glove. You need to know which baseball glove you require before making the final purchase. Therefore, choose according to your requirement and preference.

Fit

A decent glove is one that fits flawlessly to the hand of the player. A very big glove will feel cumbersome on the hand and impede the performance of the player. It will likewise hinder and slow down the movements of the player. It is dependably a smart idea to first try the glove on to decide if it is a solid match. A baseball glove that is just marginally bigger can work in the case it accompanies a strap or a tie to tighten it.

Durability

The durability and sturdiness of a glove decide the period for which it will last. If you buy a glove that isn’t durable, it might fall apart even before the season ends.

Durability is directly proportional to the kind of leather used. Synthetic leather is not quite durable and lasts only one or two seasons. On the other hand, top-grain and full-grain leather baseball gloves provide more durability and strength but are a bit expensive.

Padding

At the point when a baseball is tossed at high speeds, or it is hit to you, it usually has a lot of momentum. As it goes inside the glove, it does so with a lot of force. If your glove is not heavily cushioned, it can hurt to catch a baseball. This is the reason you need to ensure that any glove you purchase is very much cushioned in the pocket. This is where baseball goes when caught. Make sure that the glove also has some padding to protect your wrist.

Glove components

Baseball gloves commonly have various components. You ought to think about these parts when obtaining a baseball glove. Let’s give them a brief look.

Webbing construction

Webbing is the part of the glove which connects the thumb of the glove with the finger. Some gloves have stiff webbing while others have loose and flexible webbing.

Webbing is the part of the glove that folds and expands easily, making the “container” that helps the player catch the ball. Glove makers have thought of a wide range of cool names for their webs, yet they by and large fall into two general classes.

Closed webs utilize a tightly woven leather pattern that highlights no holes in the webbing. Pitchers, generally, utilize this sort so they can conceal their grips before delivery.

Open webs utilize criss-cross patterns of leather to make holes which the player can see through. These can be useful for tracking andfollowing fly balls. Open webbing additionally enables the dirt to drop out through the spaces so you don’t have a glove full of soil when you are fielding.

For baseball players who need to keep a good grip on the ball, for example, outfielders, marginally flexible webbing is best. Players who need to transfer the ball rapidly, for example, first baseman, can play better with stiff webbing.

Pocket construction

Baseball gloves have deep or shallow pockets. Shallow pockets let the players release the baseball quickly. Players at infielder positions or the first baseman generally need gloves which have shallow pockets. 

Deep pockets are better in case you need to maintain a strong grip on the ball. Deep pockets are usually needed by Outfielders to keep a ball in place inside the glove.

Lacing

Lacing is the thing that keeps the glove in good shape and place. Most gloves have leather lacing. It takes some time to break-in, though. How well your glove performs and for how long it lasts, doesn’t only depend on the type of material which is used in it. The lacing and stitching of the glove are details you need to look into as well. All the various bits of texture that join to make a baseball glove are either laced together or stitched together in some way.

That is the reason why it is very important to know how your baseball glove will be laced or stitched together bound together. At times you can tell this from a photograph and there are times when you need to check the glove out to find out the kind of stitching and lacing done.

Heel

The heel is the lower portion of the glove which covers a part of the wrist and the lower palm. The heel protects the lower portion of the hand. Therefore, before buying the glove, make sure that the heel of the glove covers the lower part of your hand comfortably and perfectly.

Backs of a Glove

Back of a baseball glove is normally closed or open. Open back provides greater flexibility. It is normally favored by infielders. Closed back gives additional strength, quality and support to the baseball glove. It is commonly preferred by outfielders.

Hinge

Hinge is the region between the heel area and the pinky finger. It decides the level of ease you feel when closing or opening a baseball glove. Preferably, you need the baseball glove to close easily when required and remain stiff and flat otherwise. You would need to look at several gloves to choose the one which has the perfect hinge.

Wrist  

Wrist adjustment is present in most of the baseball gloves. They are in the form of wrist straps or some other features. It provides the player a way to tighten the glove in the wrist area. This helps in getting a secure and better fit.

Color

Baseball gloves have various colors and hues. Some have a single-color design, while others have double shading or multicolor looks. You ought to normally pick a shading and color that suits you and your style.

Still, if you are searching for gloves to be used by the pitcher, you should ensure that you pick a glove that has a single, solid color. This is because multicolor pitcher’s gloves will distract the other players and the umpire might object to them. 

Price 

You have most heard people say “You get what you pay for”. But such is not the case when you are buying the best baseball gloves. You don’t need to purchase the most costly glove out there to get the best execution. Many reasonably priced baseball gloves will do fine. Nobody needs a top level glove to handle a ground ball. The primary things to search for are quality leather, durability, and breathability. All other things are just bonuses.

With regards to baseball gloves, the cost is generally a decent marker of the nature of materials utilized in a glove as well. If some baseball gloves have the same sticker price, then you would need to look at their features and compare them before deciding on one of them. You shouldn’t be impressed by the high price tag since there are several gloves out in the market which are both economical and high performing.

If you buy synthetic leather baseball gloves, it is given that although it will be durable, it will not last for a very long amount of time. When looking for a baseball glove you have to decide a spending range for yourself that your glove should fall into. This is significant because baseball gloves come in various price ranges. Some are economical and some custom baseball gloves will stun you with their sticker price. So select a spending range for your glove that is perfect for your ability level and what you are happy to spend.

Conclusion

When it comes to buying baseball gloves, there is no one magic solution. There are several options available out there in the market and they all depend on your requirements. Make sure you are choosing the right gloves per your position. We have reviewed the top 9 best baseball gloves available in the market. These are the best ones available and we are very hopeful that you will find one that you like. If you are still left wanting for more, check the buying guide we have provided for your ease.

With this buying guide, you can easily buy the best baseball gloves which suit your position, style and fulfill other needs and requirements perfectly. Once you have found the perfect baseball glove for yourself, you will be able to perform to your fullest.

Happy Playing Folks!