What’s the difference between A2K and A2000?
A2K vs. A2000, what's the difference? Meet the details that separate the two pro caliber Wilson® baseball glove models.
The Wilson® A2K® and A2000® are the preferred baseball gloves of elite professional players. While Mookie Betts, Juan Soto and José Abreu take the field with A2K glove patterns, other professional players like Tim Anderson, Ke’Bryan Hayes and José Ramírez opt for A2000 gloves. Both the A2K and A2000 meet the demands of professional baseball, but key differences set these two Wilson® glove models apart. Ryan Smith, the lead ball glove designer and product line manager for Wilson Baseball and Softball, said players should know three main differences between A2K and A2000 gloves when choosing a new gamer.
So, what is the difference between A2K and A2000?
“The three biggest differences are craftsmanship, leather quality and the double palm construction found in the A2K,” Smith said.
Glove Craftsmanship: A2K vs. A2000
Both A2K and A2000 ball gloves are formed with an extreme attention to detail, but the two glove models are made through different processes. Premium A2K baseball gloves are made entirely in Japan, formed to the perfect shape by expert glove craftsmen.
“Being made in Japan, the A2K is made by craftsmen who have been making ball gloves for decades,” Smith said.
From start to finish, Pro Stock ball gloves require about 18 hours of labor, Smith said. Craftsmen select leather hides, cut the pieces, then assemble and form the glove. Once a glove is assembled, craftsmen inspect and shape each glove to meet the needs of ball players. Skilled glove craftsmen in Japan dedicate time to perfectly shape A2K baseball gloves, resulting in a flawless final product.
Materials: Pro Stock® Select vs. Pro Stock® Leather
Glove craftsmen make A2K and A2000 ball gloves from pro caliber leather, materials beloved by top players in baseball. A2000 gloves feature Pro Stock® leather while A2K gloves feature flawless Pro Stock® Select leather.
“Leather is so important,” said Wilson Master Glove Craftsman Shigeaki Aso. “A really important thing is a certain level of softness is needed. A certain level of stretchiness is needed. Our Pro Stock leather is perfect for that.”
The leather used in A2K and A2000 gloves is derived from the same material, but Pro Stock Select leather is finely inspected for perfection. When choosing leather hides, craftsmen ensure only unblemished cuts are selected for use in A2K ball gloves. Through this triple-sorting process, Pro Stock hides are inspected at least three times before being approved for A2K gloves.
“The leather used in A2K ball gloves is triple sorted,” Smith said. “It’s the best of the best leather. It’s flawless with the tightest grains.”
Only the top 5% of leather hides are selected for use in A2K ball gloves. All other Pro Stock leather hides are used to make A2000 ball gloves.
GLOVE DESIGN: DOUBLE PALM CONSTRUCTION
Double Palm Construction separates the A2K from every other ball glove available. To complete an A2K, glove craftsmen insert a thin layer of leather between the palm of the glove and its ultra-soft interior palm liner. This piece of leather matches the shape of the palm to stabilize the pocket of the glove.
“Double Palm Construction is a thin piece of leather between the palm and the liner,” Smith said. “It’s there to help keep the shape of the palm and the pocket, and it helps in the forming and shaping process.”
When players break in a new A2K and shape the glove to their preferences, Double Palm Construction ensures that the glove keeps its shape for its entire lifespan. This extra layer of leather maintains the shape of the pocket, allowing for more consistent performance on the field.
Select Your A2K or A2000
Both A2K and A2000 baseball gloves are engineered to meet the needs of elite baseball players. With premium details like Pro Stock Select leather, Double Palm Construction and expert craftsmanship, A2K gloves stand out for their flawlessness. To find the ideal baseball glove, explore the full collection on Wilson.com.
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Originally Posted on Wilson.com