Per week has handed since torpedo bats burst onto the scene as the debate of the 2025 MLB season, and the hitting innovation remains to be humming during the trade.
We requested our MLB newshounds to speak to avid gamers and coaches to peer if they suspect the bowling pin-shaped bat development is right here to stick, how a lot it in reality is helping hitters — and in the event that they consider it must be allowed within the majors.
Here is what the ones round baseball needed to say concerning the development taking the game via hurricane.
When did you first pay attention about torpedo bats?
Andrew Benintendi, OF, Chicago White Sox: I had by no means heard of it. I have used the similar bat for 9 years so I believe I’m going to persist with that. It is beautiful attention-grabbing. It is sensible. If it really works for a man, just right for him. If it does not, persist with what you were given.
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Robert Van Scoyoc, hitting trainer, Los Angeles Dodgers: I have heard about bat becoming. We do bat becoming and all that. I simply have not heard about this in particular. Once I first heard about [torpedo bats specifically] used to be when everybody else more or less knew about it.
Ryan O’Hearn, first baseman, Baltimore Orioles: (Orioles assistant GM and previous NASA engineer) Sig Mejdal merits credit score. Sig has been at the torpedo bat for a very long time. He is been looking to get guys to experiment with it, use it. He will ship them out, ship us everyone. He despatched some within the offseason. He despatched me the normal torpedo bat after which he despatched me a different style that, based totally off of my batted ball knowledge, would have compatibility higher. He is been in all places it. I believe I first heard about it in perhaps the top of ’23 from Sig. After which he made them to be had. I took BP with it. I used to be not sure as it does really feel just a little other. No longer in a foul approach, simply other. I think like I used to be hitting balls and more or less feeling the vibrations at the finish, which I did not in reality like.
Dansby Swanson, SS, Chicago Cubs: This offseason. It is simply stuck on. Other folks have used it sooner than. It isn’t that new.
Adam Ottavino, veteran reliever: I realized closing 12 months that there have been some guys with other formed bats. I believe [Francisco] Lindor had one. And, in truth, I did not assume an excessive amount of of it as a result of there is all the time been numerous tinkering with bat fashions since I have been within the large leagues. There may be such a lot of bat fashions. Even like customized handles like large knobs. Some hockey puck knobs. And there is like the ones triangular knobs. So I did not in reality assume an excessive amount of of it. I did not perhaps perceive what they have been going for.
Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels: I heard about it in spring coaching this 12 months. Chuckie Robinson had a bat. We more or less were not fascinated about it, you realize? He pulled it out and we have been like, “Uh, that is more or less atypical.” However the science at the back of it makes general sense. I did not in reality take into accounts that from that perspective in any respect till the science got here up for it and stated why it would receive advantages positive other people’s swings.
[Robinson] by no means used it … I do not know if he had it the 12 months prior, however for some explanation why he had one. And we have been identical to, “That is a weird-looking bat.” I did not assume the rest of it till come Opening Day, you spot some of these guys swinging it within the common season.
Martin Maldonado, C, San Diego Padres: I do not know the rest about it instead of what I learn on Twitter.
Have you ever used a torpedo bat sooner than and if no longer, are you making plans to take a look at it now? If this is the case, how did it really feel?
Max Muncy, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers: It felt just right. The swing felt just right. However after the Dylan Lee at-bat (by which Muncy struck out within the 6th inning closing Wednesday), I felt just like the bat used to be inflicting me to be just a little bit off-plane, just a little bit out and in of the zone. My swings felt in reality, in reality just right this night however just a bit bit off. So the closing at-bat I determined simply to return to my common bat.
Matt Shaw, 3B, Chicago Cubs: I have used it in batting observe. I wasn’t a large fan. The load felt just a little heavier. The ball comments wasn’t as just right. However we’re going to see.
Swanson: It isn’t the very best product. There are such a large amount of nuances concerned. I have dedicated to the usage of it sufficient to get a just right pattern length. There’s no doubt validity in the entirety, nevertheless it simply has its media craze at this time.
Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, Chicago Cubs: I talked to [Swanson] so much this iciness about it. He used to be very open-minded. It is a procedure. That is why we would have liked to have guys use them in spring coaching. The extra the veteran guys do it, confidently that has a carry-over impact.
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Michael A. Taylor, OF, Chicago White Sox: I would like to take a look at one. I am positive everybody is attempting to reserve one at this time. It is attention-grabbing. I am not too trained at the science at the back of it, however it sort of feels beautiful simple. I attempted the awl bat then the puck bat so the torpedo bat is the newest factor. I need to take a look at it.
Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins: I have not attempted it. No longer going to take a look at it both. I have been doing completely positive with my bats. No level in looking to transfer it up now. Other folks blowing up the Yankees about all of the homers they hit. Identical guys that hit homers are the similar guys that hit homers closing 12 months. It isn’t that gigantic of a deal.
O’Hearn: I have used a torpedo bat for one main league at-bat. I struck out. After which I threw it within the trash. Did not even make touch. I am bizarre, guy. I simply take note guys guffawing at me, being like, you might be carried out with it already?
Salvador Perez, catcher, Kansas Town Royals: No, however it is attention-grabbing. I will communicate to Davy (Royals VP of main league workforce operations Jeff Davenport) about that. Are we going to place in some orders for that bat? I talked to Gary Sanchez the day gone by. He used the bat the day gone by. The primary time that I noticed that bat, I grabbed it. Giant barrel. I believe if it is helping, why no longer? Why no longer simply check it out and spot what occurs?”
Mark Canha, outfielder, Kansas Town Royals: It wasn’t the rest I used to be acutely aware of all through spring till that part of the primary week. I am the usage of more or less a changed one at this time. It is torpedo-esque. It isn’t as drastic. I did not even know what I used to be ordering. Pete Alonso informed me to get that style. It is nice. And generally he is aware of so much. He is in reality likes stuff like that. So I more or less simply relied on him, and it is been running. I love it. However I do like that there is extra barrel, just a little less than I am used to swinging. It feels just a little other. It isn’t as ringy when I am getting it nearer to the label, which I love.
Schanuel: I most commonly pass over [the ball] at the inside aspect of the barrel, so if I pass over the barrel, I am getting jammed essentially the most. If I have been to get a torpedo bat … I believe it might assist me out so much, particularly my bat trail and seeing the ball deep. I would be greater than prepared to take a look at it but.
Nicky Lopez, 2B, Los Angeles Angels: I gave it just a little little bit of a check run in spring coaching as a result of that is what everybody used to be more or less doing. But it surely takes just a little bit of having used to.
All your occupation you’ve got been the usage of a bat that you realize, and you realize the place the candy spot is, and it is one more or less period. You may have the specs of it and also you more or less really feel the place that barrel is, and now while you transfer that barrel down just a little bit, it’s important to refine the place that candy spot is. It takes just a little bit to get used to. I used it just a little bit in BP and I will proceed to make use of it and simply see the place it is at.
Nico Hoerner, 2B, Chicago Cubs: I have used it since mid-spring coaching. Each and every AB I have taken this 12 months has been with some model of the opposite taper barrel (which is what the Cubs name the torpedo bat). Nonetheless within the strategy of figuring that out, however I love it. It isn’t one thing I am considering of after I move to the plate. A false impression I have heard is guys aren’t converting what they do to suit the bat. It is more or less the other.
What do you are making of the way in which the subject has blown up around the recreation?
Ottavino: I imply, pay attention, to begin with, it is the Yankees and so they scored 1,000,000 runs within the first few video games and it is cool to hate the Yankees and it is cool to search for the boogeyman and that’s the reason what some individuals are going to do and can not in reality forestall that. However there is additionally numerous incorrect information and noneducation on it too.
I used to be in Boston this spring and there have been a host of men the usage of the ones kinds of bats over there too. So, they are in all places. It isn’t distinctive to this group. Perhaps it originated in [the Yankees clubhouse], however I imply, there is not any secrets and techniques in baseball. Everyone’s going to be the usage of what they suspect’s going to present them the most productive end result. So I do not in reality make an excessive amount of of other people complaining about it, in truth.
Schanuel: I believe it’s going to assist out, particularly to spice up offensive performances. I believe it is just right for MLB itself. Fanatics wish to see it. Everybody loves homers. Everybody loves when guys get on base. I believe it’s going to assist out so much. I imply it is simply thrilling speaking about it.
Mark Leiter, reliever, New York Yankees: I would not say I am shocked simply because I believe there is a stage of it is one thing to discuss in a large marketplace. I imply, simply the truth that it is throughout the laws and stuff, I simply assume it is extra unexpected that it took this lengthy for any person to do that. Simply because you realize about customizing golfing golf equipment and stuff like that. Like, it makes numerous sense.
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Buxton: Everyone seems to be blowing up the Yankees about all of the homers they hit. Identical guys you spot hit homers, are the similar guys that hit homers closing 12 months. It isn’t that gigantic of a deal. It is like when the sweeper came over. We have been like, “What is a sweeper?” We had by no means heard of sweepers. And now we’ve got by no means heard of torpedo bats and now they pop.
Shaw: The Yankees hitting a host of house runs made it blow up. Aaron Pass judgement on no longer the usage of the torpedo bat is humorous to me. It blew up with the Yankees, however he does not swing it. You’ll obviously see each side. They could paintings, however the outdated bats paintings too. The adaptation may well be very small.
Do you assume it must be allowed within the recreation to make use of torpedo bats?
Canha: Sure. I do really feel like we want all of the assist we will be able to get. Those guys are throwing so onerous now. However it isn’t a cheat code. We’re going to see the way it performs out over just a little larger pattern length.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers: I don’t glance down on any one. If it is felony, you’ll be able to do no matter you wish to have. I swung the similar bat for 16 years. I can no longer be converting to a torpedo bat. I have swung the similar period, oz., the entirety. If it really works for the fellows, opt for it. I do know a few of our guys are getting them, so, we’re going to see. I can no longer be swinging them.
Jake Cronenworth, 2B, San Diego Padres: [Torpedo bats] give everybody one thing to discuss. If any workforce hit 15 house runs, you would be like, “What bats are they the usage of? Are they felony?” And they’re.
Are torpedo bats a development according to this week’s buzz or one thing this is right here to stick?
Lopez: I believe so, yeah. I in reality do. I believe it is a just right factor for numerous hitters.
Van Scoyoc: I am positive some guys will check it out. Any person will get sizzling, then you’ll be able to more than likely see extra guys going to it. I believe it is just right. In pitching they have got Trackman. In hitting we do, too. However we do not seize the bat, which is largely our identical apparatus. That is why I believe hitting is at the back of — as a result of they simply get additional info that is helpful so much sooner.
O’Hearn: It is more or less just like the awl take care of or puck knob. I believe simply for the reason that Yankees went bananas for 2 video games, it’ll blow up. And I in truth felt dangerous for Sig when it went loopy as a result of I used to be like, I do not know if he used to be the primary one on it, however I think like he is sitting round someplace, like, ‘I want the Orioles would’ve carried out this.’
Freeman: I promise you I’ve no longer learn a factor about it. I simplest know there is a torpedo bat and it appears more or less just like the barrel’s shorter or decrease down. That is all I have were given. Nor will I learn into it. That is simply me. I am not the suitable man to invite the ones more or less questions. I swing the similar bat each day.
Muncy: Baseball isn’t a one-size-fits-all recreation, going from socks to batting gloves to footwear to pants. It isn’t a one length suits fascinated by somebody on this recreation. So, everybody swings other. Everybody likes their bat other. There may be some guys I believe it generally is a actual get advantages for, and there is some guys it may well be a detriment. I nonetheless do not know the place I am at on that scale.
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Hoerner: I believe [it’s a trend]. There used to be the awl take care of. Numerous guys with the Crimson Sox had good fortune with that. Then in 2021, there used to be the large puck knob development. You continue to see a few of the ones. This can be a little other when you find yourself converting the place you have an effect on the ball with. The jury remains to be out. I do not take a look at that Yankees collection and assume it might were a wholly other collection with out the bats. It is about marginal variations over the process 600 ABs. That in reality issues.
Hoyer: This is not the type of factor, one workforce did it and everybody copied. There have been plenty of groups in this. There’s numerous consideration as a result of the scale of the marketplace and [the Yankees] scored 20. Guys have been hitting within the cage with them closing 12 months. Pete [Crow-Armstrong] used it in a recreation closing 12 months in September (he flew out). It is new, however it isn’t love it began recreation two closing weekend and everybody copied it temporarily.
