The Rise of the Torpedo Bat: A New Trend in Major League Baseball
Just two days after the New York Yankees showcased an impressive offensive display in the Bronx, the baseball world was buzzing about the innovative ‘torpedo bat.’ Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz decided to experiment with one during batting practice, and the results were nothing short of spectacular. In the Reds’ commanding 14-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night, the 23-year-old slugger went 4-for-5, smashing two home runs, a double, and driving in a remarkable seven RBIs. “I just wanted to know if it felt good,” De La Cruz remarked, “and it definitely does.”
While the excitement surrounding these uniquely shaped bats has recently captured national attention, it turns out that the experimentation with them has been quietly taking place across baseball for some time. “It became viral,” acknowledged New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza on Monday. “But it’s nothing new for us.”
Aaron Leanhardt, a 48-year-old coach for the Miami Marlins, has been recognized as one of the key figures behind the torpedo bats. These bats gained prominence when Yankees players utilized them during a franchise-record nine-home run performance in a 20-9 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. “There were definitely some major-league players that swung it in the big leagues in 2023,” Leanhardt explained. “As well as some minor-league players who swung it in some real baseball games in 2023, and it just kind of built up throughout 2024 into what it is today.”
As the buzz around these bats grows, they are no longer flying under the radar. Players throughout the league have started reaching out to manufacturers for their own versions. Retailers have begun selling them to the public online, with Chandler Bats offering a model designed for Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. priced at $239 per bat. Victus has released three models, including a signature version for Anthony Volpe, while Marucci features a Francisco Lindor “torpedo pro exclusive” bat for sale.
The design of the torpedo bats departs from traditional models, featuring a unique shape that redistributes weight, moving the most dense part—known as the “sweet spot”—closer to the handle. Birch is often the wood of choice for these bats, which were crafted to assist hitters in making cleaner contact in an era where pitchers are increasingly throwing at 100 mph, armed with more advanced repertoires thanks to technological and analytical advancements.
Major League Baseball has confirmed that these bats comply with all regulations. “It’s kind of exciting,” said Max Muncy, infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. “We just had a long conversation about how in the 170 years of baseball, the number of changes to the baseball bat has been minimal.” Historically, players predominantly used ash bats until Barry Bonds popularized maple bats in the late 1990s and early 2000s. “I mean,” Muncy noted, “everyone swung ash for 140 years and then you had one guy swing maple, and then they came out with birch. Really, that’s been all the changes. There haven’t been any drastic alterations like what we’re experiencing now.”
The excitement surrounding the torpedo bats created an unusual scene at LoanDepot Park on Monday. The Marlins made Leanhardt available to reporters outside their dugout. Notably, during his time with the Yankees last season, Leanhardt had not addressed the media. “There are a lot more cameras here today than I’m used to,” he remarked. “It’s definitely been surreal for the last couple of days.”
Through discussions with coaches, players, MLB, and bat companies, Leanhardt developed prototypes that eventually came into the possession of Yankees players. Notable names like Chisholm, Volpe, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Austin Wells have embraced the new bats this season, although right fielder Aaron Judge, widely regarded as one of the game’s best power hitters, has opted not to use one.
Brett Laxton, a bat maker for Marucci Sports and a former big-leaguer, shared in an Instagram video that Giancarlo Stanton used one of their torpedo bats during his seven-home run postseason performance last year. Rookie Jasson Domínguez also confirmed that Stanton had been utilizing one.
Yankees catcher Jose Trevino, who was part of the team last season, first encountered the bat during spring training in 2024. “At first, I was like, ‘No way,’” he recalled. “Then I tried it. I liked it.” Trevino continued to use the torpedo bat during workouts and spring training games, carrying it into the regular season. He explained that the creation of these bats involves a complex process, beginning with designers modifying existing models familiar to players. He mentioned that he can order barrel sizes in small, medium, and large, indicating the customization options available. “It’s making your barrel bigger where you want to hit the ball,” Trevino explained.
“Perhaps the eureka moment came when players began pointing to their target areas and realized they were not making contact with the fattest part of the bat,” Leanhardt shared. “They observed that the tip was the thickest part of the bat and collectively decided, ‘Well, let’s flip it around. It might look silly, but are we willing to go with it?’ Ultimately, we found players willing to embrace this change.”
Despite the rapid spread of information about the new style of bat, not every player has been convinced. “None of the players have said anything about using them,” remarked Houston Astros manager Joe Espada. “I have never held the bat or seen one. I know some of our guys in the minor leagues were using them, but I’m not going to comment on a piece of baseball equipment I’ve never seen.”
“I don’t have a strong opinion,” said Reds manager Terry Francona. “I think if you go back and look at where some of these pitches were thrown against the Yankees, it might not be the bat.”
“I guess it’s this craze,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts added. “I just haven’t delved into it. It’s still early, and people are talking about it, but I don’t think any of our guys swing that bat, so I’m not sure what it is.”
Many players have expressed interest in acquiring their own torpedo bats after witnessing the Yankees’ power surge over the weekend. “I have learned absolutely nothing other than that they look like bowling pins,” remarked Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernández. “I ordered some. All of the cool kids are doing it.”
A lingering question remains: do these bats truly make a difference? “I think that’s still up for debate,” stated Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, who is currently using a torpedo bat. “I don’t think it’s going to be the end-all solution for everyone, that everyone’s going to start swinging these bats and become better hitters. For some, it might work, and for others, it might not. For me, I’m giving it a trial period to see how I like it. The concepts behind them seem promising, but there’s still much trial and error involved. It’s so new.”
“I had teammates last year (with the Yankees) who asked me if I wanted to try it, but it didn’t catch my interest,” Mets right fielder Juan Soto stated, according to the New York Post. “But, yeah, I would consider trying it.”
And the ultimate question: are these bats here to stay? “I don’t know,” Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson admitted. “I feel good with my bat right now. I’m not looking to change anything. But maybe one day.”
“It might be one of those phases that comes and goes,” Jeffers concluded. “I think time will tell.”
— The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans, Fabian Ardaya, Dan Hayes, Will Sammon, Chris Kirschner, Cody Stavenhagen, Matt Gelb, Britt Ghiroli, and Chandler Rome contributed to this story.
(Top photo of Elly De La Cruz: Jeff Dean / Getty Images)
