Redesigned bats helped the boys in pinstripes unleash an offensive explosion on Saturday, thrashing Milwaukee 20-9 in a historic performance.
The Yankees set a franchise record for home runs in a game, including a three-home run performance by Aaron Judge and three home runs hit on the first three pitches of the game. During the game, however, Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay revealed the reason for the team’s historic performance: They were using specially designed bats.
As Kay reported, the team analytics department looked at how shortstop Anthony Volpe hit the ball. Their analysis found that he didn’t hit any balls on the bat’s barrel. So, they moved most of the wood on the bat near the label area so the hardest part of the bat would make contact with the ball.
The result was an odd-shaped bat that was thickest in the middle.
Michael Kay explains that the Yankees made new bats "where they moved a lot of the wood into the label so the harder part of the bat is going to strike the ball."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 29, 2025
Seems relevant today... pic.twitter.com/cpldzigdrT
Needless to say, the bats were effective.
WHAT A START FOR THE @YANKEES!!!
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2025
3 pitches, 3 home runs!! pic.twitter.com/xWqAqH9X0y
Former Yankee infielder Kevin Smith praised the innovation and called it a “torpedo barrel.”
Yes, the Yankees have a literal genius MIT Physicist, Lenny (who is the man), on payroll. He invented the “Torpedo” barrel. It brings more wood - and mass - to where you most often make contact as a hitter. The idea is to increase the number of “barrels” and decrease misses. pic.twitter.com/CsC1wkAM9G
— Kevin Smith (@KJS_4) March 29, 2025
If you’re wondering whether this is all legal, apparently it is.
MLB rules state, “the bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length.”
The Yankees’ bats fit within those prescriptions, and given their impact, other teams are likely to begin adopting the “torpedo barrel” or begin tinkering with their own creations.
