Torpedo bats have taken MLB by storm; what are they?

So, what are they?

The torpedo bats have the barrel of the bat in a different location. Instead of being at the end of the bat, the barrel is closer to the handle, which gives the bat a bowling pin shape. Some players make contact with the ball more on the label instead of the traditional barrel of the bat. The torpedo bats move the barrel to the label, so when they make contact they barrel up the baseball more. 

The uniquely shaped bats dominated conversation among players and fans this weekend after the Yankees' offensive eruption. 

Kevin Smith, who spent time with the Yankees last season, took to X to give credit to Aaron Leanhardt for the innovative bat. 

"Yes, the Yankees have a literal genius MIT Physicist, Lenny (who is the man), on payroll. He invented the 'torpedo' barrel. It brings more wood - and mass - to where you most often make contact as a hitter. The idea is to increase the number of 'barrels' and decrease misses," Smith wrote. 

Leanhardt joined the Yankees in 2018 after coaching in the Atlantic League and Montana community college in 2017. 

"There were definitely some major league players that swung it in the big leagues in 2023," Leanhardt told reporters Monday. "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."

The bats are legal.

MLB Rule 3.02 states, "The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood." 

The rule also says "experimental" bats can't be used "until the manufacturer has secured approval from Major League Baseball of his design and methods of manufacture."

Leanhardt said he would "guarantee" he is on a first-name basis with MLB officials who oversee bat regulation. 

While teams and players are sure to want to get their hands on the torpedo bat, some players are content with what they've been using. 

When Yankees captain and two-time AL MVP winner Aaron Judge was asked why he hadn't tried the new torpedo bat, he replied, "What I've done the past couple of seasons speaks for itself."

Reds manager Terry Francona said maybe it wasn't the bats that led to the Yankees' record nine home runs.