The New York Yankees made history on Saturday, launching nine home runs in a single game- just the third team in MLB history to achieve the feat. Adding to the spectacle, some players wielded newly designed “torpedo” bats, sparking intrigue among fans and analysts alike.
While Aaron Judge led the charge with three home runs, including a grand slam, the game also saw Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Judge himself belt consecutive homers on the first three pitches- an unprecedented event in pitch-counted history. The Yankees’ offensive explosion has reignited discussions about equipment innovations in baseball, with the “torpedo” bats at the center of attention.
MLB Clears ‘Torpedo’ Bats For Use
The new bats, reportedly designed by former MIT and Michigan physicist Aaron Leonhardt, feature a modified barrel that shifts the sweet spot to align with hitters’ natural contact points. Former Yankees infielder Kevin Smith referred to them as “torpedo” bats, and they’ve already gained traction among players like Jazz Chisholm and Anthony Volpe, per Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay.
Despite the bats’ immediate impact, questions surfaced regarding their compliance with MLB regulations. However, a league spokesperson confirmed to Front Office Sports that the design does not violate the Official Baseball Rules or Bat Supplier Regulations, clearing them for continued use.
Judge, notably, did not use the new bat during his multi-homer performance, but the influence of the “torpedo” bats on other New York Yankees’ hitters is undeniable. As the team heads into the final game of their series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, all eyes will be on whether these bats continue to shape offensive performances.
