Some Yankees have been swinging distinctive lumber currently, however nothing unlawful.
The Bombers’ bats drew consideration on Saturday, because the group set a franchise report with 9 dwelling runs in a 20-9 win over the Brewers. Early within the sport, YES Community broadcaster Michael Kay highlighted just a few Yankees utilizing new bats, together with Anthony Volpe and Jazz Chisholm Jr., who each went deep.
The bats have barrels which can be nearer to the palms. Historically, bats have barrels nearer to the tip.
“It’s actually a little bit lower than the barrel,” Kay continued. “The Yankee front office, the analytics department, did a study on Anthony Volpe, and every single ball it seemed like he hit on the label. He didn’t hit any on the barrel, so they had bats made up where they moved a lot of the wood into the label, so the harder part of the bat is going to actually strike the ball.”
Michael Kay explains that the Yankees made new bats “where they moved a lot of the wood into the label so the harder part of the bat is going to strike the ball.”
Appears related at the moment… pic.twitter.com/cpldzigdrT
These guidelines — particularly Rule 3.02 — state, “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 rulebook additionally states that “experimental” bats can’t be used “until the manufacturer has secured approval from Major League Baseball of his design and methods of manufacture.”
“It’s all within major league standards,” Aaron Boone assured on Sunday morning.
Kevin Smith, a just lately retired infielder who frolicked with the Yankees final season, revealed on X that Aaron Leanhardt pitched the “torpedo” design to the group final 12 months. Leanhardt is now with the Marlins, however he held the title of main league teaching employees analyst with the Yankees final season.
Leanhardt has a PhD in physics from MIT and taught the topic on the College of Michigan.
“He invented the ‘Torpedo’ barrel,” Smith wrote. “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.”
Sure, the Yankees have a literal genius MIT Physicist, Lenny (who’s the person), on payroll. He invented the “Torpedo” barrel. It brings extra wooden – and mass – to the place you most frequently make contact as a hitter. The concept is to extend the variety of “barrels” and reduce misses. pic.twitter.com/CsC1wkAM9G
“Lenny was working really hard at it,” Volpe stated Sunday.
Volpe noticed teammates having success with the bats, so he tried them out. Nevertheless, the primary mannequin he examined felt “horrible,” so he didn’t change to the torpedo design till this season.
“The concept makes so much sense,” stated the shortstop, who homered in his first two video games of the season. “I know I’m bought in.”
Cody Bellinger, who additionally homered Saturday, stated that 4 or 5 Yankees are utilizing the torpedoes, himself included. Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Wells had been additionally pictured with the golf equipment.
Bellinger, a former Cub, truly examined just a few out in Chicago final season, however solely in batting follow. His most well-liked producer, Louisville Slugger, couldn’t make a bat that was fairly proper, however he began swinging torpedo fashions previous to spring coaching this 12 months and felt snug. His new bat is an oz. lighter than what he beforehand tried, and he appreciated the way in which the load was distributed regardless that he needed to shift from maple to birch.
“I like the weight distribution, personally,” Bellinger stated. “The weight’s closer to my hands, so I feel as if it’s lighter in a way. So that was, for me, the biggest benefit. And then obviously, bigger the sweet spot, bigger the margin for error.”
Whereas some Yankees have loved their torpedo bats, others aren’t even serious about making an attempt them.
Jasson Domínguez is amongst them. So is Aaron Choose, who couldn’t consider all of the fuss that was being revamped the Yankees’ new wooden.
“Is this real?” Choose requested when stopped by reporters within the group’s clubhouse.
As for why he’s not within the torpedo bats, the two-time MVP made a legitimate level.
“What I did the past couple seasons kind of speaks for itself,” stated Choose, who hit three homers on Saturday. “Why try to change something if you’ve got something that’s working?”
Even those that are utilizing the bats questioned simply how a lot of an influence they’ll make.
Volpe, for instance, stated “it’s probably just placebo” when requested if he’s felt a distinction in his contact.
“A lot of it is just looking up at your bat and you see how big the barrel is, but it’s exciting,” he continued. “I think any .001% mentally that it gives you confidence helps.”
Bellinger stated there’s a disadvantage to utilizing the torpedoes: “If you don’t hit it on the sweet spot, it doesn’t necessarily feel as good.”
Domínguez, in the meantime, talked about in passing that Giancarlo Stanton used the design final season. Stanton just lately attributed his lingering elbow accidents to “bat adjustments,” however declined to elaborate.
With the Yankees sharing blended emotions on the torpedo bats, Boone stated that the group isn’t recommending them to gamers. As a substitute, it’s as much as particular person hitters in the event that they wish to use them.
Boone doesn’t think about the bats to be game-changing, however fairly one thing that may assist “on the margins.”
The supervisor additionally stated that experimenting with bat designs is nothing new. He used a number of fashions all through his profession and even had totally different shapes for right-handed and left-handed pitchers.
Boone made the identical comparability on Sunday.
“Back in the day, you had your set of clubs and you went out and played,” stated the skipper, who has not tried swinging a torpedo bat. “Now you get in a simulator and you’re hitting and trying to optimize as best you can. We’re able to do that a little bit better now. So some of the guys have changed some things. Some of the guys are like, ‘No, I don’t like this.’”
Bellinger and Choose additionally famous that there are actually bats with puck knobs, which are supposed to counterbalance the load of the barrel.
As for the torpedo bats, the Yankees weren’t certain if they’ll unfold like wildfire throughout the league following the group’s nine-homer efficiency on Saturday. In spite of everything, it is a sport stuffed with previous habits and superstitions.
“I think us baseball players are very into what we like,” Bellinger stated, although he knew individuals would discover his bat’s funky form. “We’re very, ‘Nah, this is what works.’ I don’t know. It’s really tough to say. It’s very unique. I didn’t like a lot of the models that I was swinging in spring either. I just like this certain one that I’ve been swinging, so it’s just gonna be hit or miss with guys.”
Volpe, nevertheless, stated that he’s been getting questions in regards to the bats every time he’s on base. With that in thoughts, he expects some opponents to repeat what he and different Yankees are doing.
“I’m sure there’s a part of our clubhouse and our team that would have wanted it to be a secret,” Volpe stated, “but it was always gonna get out.”
Initially Printed: March 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM EDT
