The torpedo bat is a new and attention-grabbing innovation in Major League Baseball (MLB), known for its unusual shape and its ability to boost player performance. It was created in response to falling batting averages across the league. Unlike traditional bats, the torpedo bat has more weight shifted closer to the hands and a barrel that’s wider and rounder—kind of like a torpedo or bowling pin. This design helps line up the bat’s sweet spot with the area where hitters usually make contact, making it easier to hit the ball harder and more effectively.
The New York Yankees have been at the forefront of adopting the torpedo bat. Players such as Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Austin Wells have incorporated it into their game play. During the opening series of the 2025 season, these players collectively hit nine home runs using the torpedo bat, contributing to the Yankees’ record-tying 15 home runs in their first three games. Bellinger noted, “Personally, the weight is closer to my hands, so I feel as if it’s lighter in a way. For me, that was the biggest benefit. Obviously, the bigger the sweet spot, the bigger the margin for error.”
The idea of the torpedo bat is credited to Aaron Leanhardt, a former physicist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Leanhardt transitioned from academics to baseball, joining the New York Yankees’ coaching staff. His scientific approach led to the creation of this innovative bat, tailored to each player’s hitting zone while fitting to MLB regulations. Leanhardt’s work underscores the integration of data analysis and player collaboration in today’s sports.
The torpedo bat has also sparked discussions regarding its impact on the game. While some view it as a natural evolution of equipment, others question its fairness. Brewers closer Trevor Megill commented, “I think it’s terrible. We’ll see what the data says. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
The torpedo bat should be banned because it creates an unnatural advantage that threatens the integrity of the game. Its redesigned shape—with more mass near the handle and an oversized sweet spot—makes it significantly easier for hitters to drive the ball with power and consistency. This isn’t just a slight edge—it’s a game-changer.
Baseball has been played the same for over a century and now is not the time for change. Pitchers in today’s game face many disadvantages as the whole controversy behind the balls being juiced. The Yankees, who led the way in using the bat, hit a record-tying 15 home runs in their first three games of the 2025 season as mentioned before and almost tied the most home runs hit in a game, when they hit 9 home runs against the Brewers on March 29. That kind of offensive explosion doesn’t happen by chance—it’s a direct result of using equipment that gives hitters more margin for error and more power with less effort.
In conclusion, while the torpedo bat may seem like a smart innovation, it ultimately gives certain players and teams an unfair advantage that could harm the integrity of the game. Its design makes it easier to hit for power and consistency, which can inflate stats and overshadow skill. On top of that, only wealthier teams have access to the technology and resources needed to use it, creating an uneven playing field. To keep the game fair and competitive for everyone, Major League Baseball should strongly consider banning the torpedo bat.
