What is a Torpedo Bat? Inside MLB's newest trend and how it's changing the game
The torpedo bat, created by Aaron Leanhardt, is revolutionizing hitting in MLB with its unique design. While the Yankees are leading the charge, other teams are exploring the bat's potential to improve player performance.
The start of baseball season has seen the New York Yankees making headlines by smashing records and dominating the conversation, with one of the key stories being the use of "torpedo" bats.
The Yankees made history by tying an MLB record, hitting 15 home runs in their opening three-game series, including a franchise record nine in their 20-9 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. So, what exactly are these "torpedo" bats that everyone's talking about?
What is a 'Torpedo' bat?
The “torpedo” bat gets its name from its unique shape, which resembles a torpedo. It is a customized bat designed specifically for each hitter, adjusting the barrel to fit their personal hitting needs. Unlike traditional bats that have a standard swell, the torpedo bat shifts more wood to the barrel area closer to the hands.
This approach helps locate the hitter's “sweet spot,” which is unique for every player, making each bat different. The Yankees’ analytics department used detailed player data to determine the ideal placement of the barrel to maximize contact, placing the widest part of the barrel where the player most frequently makes contact with the ball. For example, shortstop Anthony Volpe’s bat had the barrel moved closer to the label, and other teammates like Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Austin Wells also used the torpedo bat over the weekend.
Despite the changes, players like Chisholm Jr. and Bellinger say it doesn’t feel like a completely different bat. Chisholm Jr. mentioned that it doesn’t necessarily increase his exit velocity, but it gives him a feeling of having more to work with.
For Bellinger, the torpedo bat felt lighter, with the weight closer to his hands, offering a larger sweet spot and better margin for error. While the science behind the bat’s design may still be a mystery to some players, the results speak for themselves as the Yankees continue to break records and get fans talking about their latest innovation.
New York Yankees started the MLB season with a leading charge. Photo: Forbes.
Who invented the 'Torpedo' Bat?
The torpedo bat was created by MIT physicist Aaron "Lenny" Leanhardt while he was working as an analyst with the New York Yankees organization. Leanhardt explained that the idea was inspired by players who expressed a common concern: they wanted to improve their contact with pitches.
He told The Athletic, “It’s about making the bat as heavy and as fat as possible in the area where you’re trying to do damage.” Through discussions with players, he thought, "Why not shift how much wood is placed on the tip versus where it's placed in the sweet spot?"
The result was a bat design that placed more wood in the sweet spot, where players make contact, and reduced the wood at the tip. Leanhardt has since moved to the Marlins organization as a field coordinator.
Are MLB teams allowed to use the 'Torpedo' Bat?
MLB regulations on bats are relatively lenient. The torpedo bat remains legal as long as it adheres to MLB Rule 3.02, which specifies that the bat must be smooth, round, no thicker than 2.61 inches in diameter, and no longer than 42 inches.
Additionally, the rule requires experimental bats to be approved by MLB before use. As long as the torpedo bat meets these standards, it remains compliant with MLB rules and looks likely to stay in the game.
