A new era of custom bats is gaining traction across MLB, with players swinging for records and critics raising eyebrows.
Yankees Dominate Opening Weekend With New Bats
Baseball’s return brought fireworks to the Bronx as the New York Yankees tied an MLB home run record in their opening three-game series, slugging 15 homers—including nine in a 20–9 blowout of the Milwaukee Brewers. But beyond the stat sheet, the story dominating headlines is the torpedo bat.
Among those using the customized barrel design was Austin Wells, who launched a home run using his torpedo bat in the series. His teammates Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt also wielded the uniquely shaped sticks that many believe are helping unlock greater offensive potential.
The innovation is working. And while the Yankees’ power surge speaks for itself, the real impact of the torpedo bat may just be beginning.
Yankees Dominate Opening Weekend With New Bats
Developed by Aaron Leanhardt Yankees fans once known as an in-house analyst, the torpedo bat is designed with a hitter’s sweet spot in mind. Instead of the traditional taper, more wood is placed near where the batter most frequently makes contact.
Anthony Volpe torpedo bat modifications reportedly included moving the barrel closer to the bat’s label—one of many personalized changes based on analytics. Jazz Chisholm Jr. said it doesn’t feel like a different bat but added, “It gives you a feeling like you have more to work with.”
Cody Bellinger Yankees debuting the bat in regular season play added to the buzz. Having tested it during his time with the Cubs, Bellinger noted the bat’s weight felt closer to his hands, making it easier to control while expanding the sweet spot.
Even with the hype, Aaron Judge’s traditional bat remained in play—Judge hit four home runs using a standard model, saying, “Why try to change something?”
More Players Join the Trend
While the Yankees are at the center of the conversation, the torpedo-bats MLB trend is spreading quickly. Players from other teams, including the Twins, Rays, and Orioles, have joined. Junior Caminero, Ryan Jeffers, and Yandy Díaz were spotted testing the bats during Spring Training.
Coaches across the league acknowledge the shift. Orioles hitting coach Cody Asche told MLB.com, “You’d see a guy or two in each clubhouse swinging a bat specifically designed for their swing.”
Aaron Leanhardt Yankees contribution didn’t go unnoticed. Now, with the Marlins, Leanhardt explained the bat’s core concept: redistribute weight from the tip to the sweet spot. “It’s about putting the mass where you want to do damage,” he said.
Meanwhile, other teams are taking notes. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that the Braves ordered torpedo bats after seeing the Yankees’ explosive performance, further propelling the torpedo bats MLB trend.
Legal, Controversial, and Here to Stay
Some players remain skeptical. Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill, after facing the Yankees, said, “It feels like something used in slow-pitch softball.” He questioned whether the innovation aligned with the spirit of the game. Still, nothing in MLB bat rules prevents its use.
According to MLB bat rules, bats must be one solid piece of wood, not exceed 42 inches long, and have a diameter under 2.61 inches at the thickest point. The torpedo bat complies with all current regulations and remains entirely legal.
Austin Wells’s home run, Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s bat, and others are now part of the growing case for these new tools in the batter’s box. Even skeptics like Manny Machado have taken notice. On Sunday night, he said, “They should send a few over here if they’re gonna be hitting homers like that.”
As hitting continues to evolve and pitchers become more dominant, innovations like the torpedo bat may offer players the edge they want. Whether it’s a short-term boost or a permanent shift in equipment philosophy, the torpedo bats MLB trend is gaining ground—and it’s only the beginning.