My Latest Rawlings Pro Preferred: The “Holy Grail” of Baseball Gloves

[@xavierrivera9130]

Breakdown of the code itself was worth the click

[@canadiankream9332]

Beautiful looking glove!

[@jb_on_baseball]

Thanks for the comment. I think Pro Preferred Mocha is one of the best leather options available, especially with the gold trim. Rawlings used this combination it its highest end "Gold Gloves," which are no longer available.

[@johnharrington2438]

Excellent video & helpful knowledge about gloves. Thank you. I too have a modified trapeze but on a Wilson, and was wondering if it’s common for the index finger to separate when breaking in?? Is there a way to remedy the gap between index & middle finger, or is it just a common flaw with Wilson gloves that gets worse over time?? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Love your content.

[@jb_on_baseball]

Hello John, thanks for watching the video, your comments and subscribing to my channel. In my experience it is common to sometimes see a slight widening of the gap between the index and middle finger on gloves as compared to the gaps between the middle and fourth and fourth and fifth fingers. It may, as you note, be partially due to break-in, possibly if using a softball to break-in the pocket. Although it may be visually noticeable it shouldn't be so pronounced as to cause an imbalance to the pocket overall. I haven't noticed a tendency for more separation on a Wilson versus other brands. I expect it has more to do with the construction and shaping of an individual glove than anything else. I'd say as long as it doesn't get significantly wide as to impact the overall feel of the pocket you'll be OK.

[@jb_on_baseball]

A couple of other follow-up comments. If you look closely at my video you'll see that the gap between the index and middle finger on my glove is slightly wider than the other two gaps. I'd consider this to be a normal aspect of using a glove. This could also partially be occurring because I wear my glove with "two in the pinky," as opposed to a conventional five finger fit.

[@johnharrington2438]

Gotcha. Thank you for the feedback and explanation. I did notice it in your video, but was also wondering if it was something I did during break-in, or just a common flaw/occurrence with gloves. And I do wear it with two in the pinky… I appreciate your clarification.

[@Lost-Services]

love the glove

[@jb_on_baseball]

It's an exceptional glove, and my equipment bag just got a lot lighter😄

[@josemarioizabal4692]

Beautiful glove!!! I have a custom hoh wich i love, i want a pro preferred , what do you think the main differences in feel?? Greetings!

[@jb_on_baseball]

Thanks for the comments. I think the main differences in feel are attributable to the leather, and padding. The Pro Preferred "Kip" leather is from a younger calf, so it is a tighter and smoother grain, with a softer, richer feel and look to it. The Pro Preferreds also have additional padding, which adds to the premium, luxury feel. And the sheepskin palm lining on the Pro Preferreds is exceptionally soft yet durable. Note that the Pro Preferreds are generally a little heavier. The HoH's are a little more responsive, with a better feel for the ball, and easier to break-in. But they will also break down and lose their shape and pocket sooner than the Pro Preferreds. Hope this helps.

[@josemarioizabal4692]

@@jb_on_baseball thank you so much

[@BDUB228]

I love those and I collect some myself you can look at the video

[@marcosfeliciano9472]

I am extremely torn, I’m looking for a glove mainly for Rec use family gathering and catch with the kids. You reviewed all 3 gloves I’m looking into. A2000 / ssk / heart of the hid. Just off your personal choice which would you get. Also do you have any experience with the hyper skin or super skin or should I stare clear of those. Thank you in advance!!!

[@jb_on_baseball]

No question I'd go with the tried and true standard Rawlings Heart of the Hide line, with leather throughout the glove. I've tried "Super Skin" (Wilson) and "Pro Mesh" (Rawlings) synthetic shells. I don't care for either. Although they can make for a lighter glove, the savings in weight is slightly perceptible at best. They may be more durable than leather, but the shell (outside) of a glove doesn't wear out anyway. I just don't like anything but leather as material for a baseball glove or mitt. Thanks for the comment, and I hope this helps.

[@marcosfeliciano9472]

@@jb_on_baseball thank you so much! One last random question noticed half or more of the gloves are R2G. Are those same quality? Or will I be losing out for a speedy break in ? Thank you again

[@jb_on_baseball]

@@marcosfeliciano9472 Yes, we're seeing more and more Rawlings Heart of the Hide Ready to Go's (R2G’s) especially at retailers such as Dick's. The R2G's are the same exact quality as standard Heart of the Hides. The differences are that R2G's have 25% more factory break-in, and their heel pads are half the thickness of standard HoH's. The thinner heel pad allows for a quicker user break-in because the heel pad is often the most difficult part of a glove to break-in. I would only go with an R2G if I needed a glove to be game ready as soon as possible, because in the long run I prefer the feel of a standard heel pad. If you have the time and patience for a break-in, I recommend going with a standard HoH.

[@marcosfeliciano9472]

@@jb_on_baseball thank you for all your help, my HOH just came in and I am in love hahaha

[@jb_on_baseball]

@@marcosfeliciano9472 Nothing better than new leather! What model did you get?

[@iznotwuz]

You go into great detail about the 200 "Pocket" but it is the 200 PATTERN, not pocket.

[@kalebmurray1350]

Can you review a pro 44 glove

[@jb_on_baseball]

It's a good request, and I think a lot of folks would be interested in seeing a comparison of Pro 44 to Rawlings. If I can get my hands on one at some point I will. Thanks for the comment.

[@LongIslandbaseball55]

Love the glove but 11 3/4 in the outfield is criminal

[@jb_on_baseball]

😅"Criminal" - I like it! Certainly if I only played outfield I wouldn't go for anything less than 12.5", but given I mostly play infield and pitch, and just occasional outfield, I'll get by with it. But keep in mind, kind of like shoe size, the size in inches of a glove is only a number. Different mixes of models, pockets, webs etc. of the same measured size, will play differently, and some will look or feel larger than others. This model, with the modified trap and worn two-in-the-pinky index out, plays very long for an 11 3/4" and works well enough so that I don't feel I'm compromising too much in the OF for the few times that I have to cover it. Check it out if you get a chance, and let me know what you think.

[@LongIslandbaseball55]

@@jb_on_baseball I play infield and pitch also but used to play outfield in travel now as an adult I’d have to use an 11 3/4 in the outfield but yeah I can see myself missing balls left and right