In their first four games of the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, the New York Yankees have etched their place in history, slugging 18 home runs—the most ever recorded in the opening four games of a season. This remarkable feat surpasses the previous record of 16, set by the 2006 Detroit Tigers. This goes along with a nine-home-run game against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 29, the franchise record for most home runs in a single game.
However, these feats would not come without their fair share of controversy, as some members of the Yankees were using newly invented “torpedo” bats.
Developed by Aaron Leanhardt, a physicist with a doctorate from MIT and a background in NASA-funded research, the torpedo bats feature a thicker barrel closer to the hands, resembling a torpedo shape. The bats are customized for each hitter, moving the thicker barrel to the specific hitter’s “sweet spot.” This design redistributes the weight to maximize contact efficiency, which allows players to hit the ball harder and more consistently.
While the Yankees’ power surge may not have been entirely due to these bats, their presence sparked some debate within MLB. Many immediately questioned whether the viral bats violated league regulations. MLB quickly dismissed those claims, confirming that the bats comply with all Major League and bat supplier rules.
Even though the bats were deemed legal, players around the league have expressed mixed feelings about their impact on the game. Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill, speaking after the team’s loss on March 29, did not hold back, describing the bats as “something used in slow-pitch softball” and branding them as terrible.
Despite the backlash, the Yankees stood tall in defending the bats. Jazz Chisholm Jr., one of the team’s standout performers, went to X (formerly Twitter) to express his opinion on the bats. He wrote, “Okay explanation the barrel is bigger and within mlb regulation! For the idiots that say it’s moved to the label you’re an idiot! Nobody is trying to get jammed you just move the wood from the parts you don’t use to the parts you do! You’re welcome no more stress for y’all !” Chisholm’s remarks underline the team’s confidence in the legality of the bats while also challenging critics to reconsider their assumptions. The post quickly gained attention, sparking debates among fans, players, and analysts about the role of innovation in baseball.
Another viewpoint on the controversy was given by Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Matt Strahm on X, who wrote, “Let them use whatever bat they want. Let’s just allow pitchers to use whatever hitters have in the on deck circle. And not check us like we are criminals every time we walk on or off the field. I’m just a pitcher but I’m assuming better grip helps ya swing harder…”. Strahm is talking about how pitchers’ hands and gloves are checked often in between innings for illegal substances such as spider tack. His suggestion to “level the playing field” by allowing pitchers to use sticky substances is an interesting viewpoint. Overall, his suggestion highlights a debate about whether MLB’s regulations disproportionately favor hitters over pitchers, raising questions about whether MLB cares more about offense or even competition.
In the coming weeks, many other MLB teams will receive their own “torpedo” bats, which should give us a good insight into whether the bats truly cause an uptick in offense.
