Apr 3, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) singles while using a torpedo bat during the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
San Diego, California – At 1:54 ET on Saturday afternoon, Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay ignited what may go down as one of baseball’s most transformative discussions. A seemingly minor revelation about bat design—born from the Yankees’ analytics department—quickly became the talk of the sport, sending shockwaves through social media and clubhouses alike. The “torpedo bat,” as it’s now known, has rapidly reshaped how players, teams, and manufacturers view the science of hitting.
During spring training, the Yankees’ analytics team discovered that many hitters weren’t striking the ball with the traditional sweet spot of the bat. By studying past contact points, they suggested modifications to the bat’s design, shifting mass to optimize those contact areas. The result was a bat with a thickened, bowling-pin-like shape that redefined offensive potential. Jazz Chisholm and Anthony Volpe were among the early adopters, with Volpe blasting a home run using the torpedo bat—an event that instantly went viral.
Within 48 hours, the bat became the most sought-after piece of equipment in baseball. Teams from Little League to the Majors scrambled to place orders, and manufacturers like Louisville Slugger and Victus faced unprecedented demand. “This is the most talked-about thing in the industry since I started,” said Jared Smith, CEO of Victus.
By midweek, all 30 MLB teams had requested versions of the bat, and notable players, including Elly De La Cruz, began using them to immediate success. De La Cruz’s two-homer, seven-RBI game only intensified speculation that the torpedo bat was a game-changer.
Yet, skepticism remains. Milwaukee Brewers closer Trevor Megill likened the bats to something out of slow-pitch softball, while Yankees manager Aaron Boone dismissed the notion that the bat was a magic fix, stating, “Maybe in some cases, for some players, it may help them incrementally. But this isn’t some revelation that changes the game overnight.”
The physics behind the bat is compelling—by concentrating mass where hitters naturally make contact, the design increases exit velocity and consistency. However, traditionalists argue that hitting remains an art, and no piece of equipment can substitute for skill.
With the sport’s offensive numbers at historic lows in recent years, any innovation that gives hitters an edge will spark intrigue. But whether the torpedo bat represents a seismic shift or a fleeting trend remains to be seen. Players like Alex Bregman, who reverted to his old bat despite experimenting with the torpedo design, emphasize that it’s still the hitter, not the bat, that drives success.
Regardless of its long-term impact, the torpedo bat has already forced baseball to reconsider how equipment can shape performance. Whether it’s a revolution or a novelty, the conversation has already changed the game.
