MIAMI — The intriguing design of the torpedo bat, despite its headlines, owes more of its success to player talent than to the bat itself, according to its creator. The distinctive torpedo design shifts wood lower down the barrel, giving the end an appearance not unlike a bowling pin. It has gained significant attention in major league baseball recently.
The New York Yankees made headlines by setting a team record over the weekend, hitting nine homers with a combined distance of 3,695 feet. Players like Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. used the torpedo bat during their impressive performance. Across three games, the Yankees’ 15 homers matched a record set by the 2006 Detroit Tigers for the most homers in major league history.
In Cincinnati, Elly De La Cruz trialed the torpedo bat during a Monday night game. The result? His first two homers of the season and a remarkable seven RBIs, contributing to a 14-3 victory against Texas. “At the end of the day it’s about the batter not the bat,” stated Aaron Leanhardt, the MIT-trained physicist behind its conception, during an interview. Leanhardt highlighted the role of the hitters and their coaches in achieving success despite the bat’s innovative design.
Twenty-three-year-old De La Cruz reported that the torpedo bat felt good. When asked if he would continue using it, he responded with a good-natured laugh, leaving his future choice ambiguous.
Leanhardt, now 48 years old and working as a field coordinator for the Miami Marlins, attributes the bat’s inception to 2023 during his tenure with the Yankees. This bat design went through several iterations to achieve the desired results. As development progressed, major and minor league players sought information on the bats, with some providing input.
“The past few days have been surreal,” remarked Leanhardt. He noted that industry insiders were aware of the bat long before the recent media spotlight. Players from different teams have shown interest in swinging these bats, he added.
Prior to Monday’s home opener, bat manufacturer Victus Sports provided the Phillies with a batch of torpedo bats. Curious, Alec Bohm tried one out, hoping to replicate the Yankees’ success, but achieved only a single with his new bat. Despite its unique feel, Bohm remained unsure about future use, suggesting that the torpedo bat might be a passing trend.
Meanwhile, Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers noted the bats didn’t seem to influence their performance in a recent series against the Yankees, attributing success primarily to player skill. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned that Francisco Lindor had experimented with a similar bat during their series in Houston, suggesting players continually seek innovative ways to gain a competitive edge.
As for bat manufacturers, both Victus and Marucci Sports began offering torpedo bats online, with Chandler Bats joining in soon after. Thus, the bat has aroused curiosity, yet remains a topic of fascination more due to its novelty than its perceived efficacy.