Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — This weekend, a torpedo made a direct hit to the broad side of the baseball world.
By now, every baseball fan from the Bronx to Chavez Ravine has heard the buzz about the Yankees’ new “torpedo” bats. Whether it’s from highlight reels of Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Cody Bellinger going yard or Manny Machado jokingly asking for a shipment to San Diego, these unorthodox bats are suddenly the most talked-about piece of wood in baseball.
And for good reason.
Over the opening weekend of the 2025 MLB season, the Yankees mashed 15 home runs in three games, tying a Major League record. Nine of those long balls came in a single game — a 20-9 bludgeoning of the Brewers. The common denominator? Several of the homers were hit using these strange-looking, torpedo-shaped bats.
With that kind of offensive outburst lighting up scoreboards and headlines, it begs the question: Should the Dodgers get on board?
What Are Torpedo Bats?
The “torpedo” bat isn’t a gimmick or a rule-breaking shortcut — it’s a legitimate, legal advancement in bat design. Developed by former MIT physicist Aaron Leanhardt during his time as a Yankees analyst, the bat moves the mass away from the traditional end-loaded barrel and redistributes it closer to the area where hitters tend to make contact — typically six to seven inches from the tip.
In other words, more wood where the ball is likely to meet the bat.
The result? More power without necessarily sacrificing bat speed.
Leanhardt, now with the Miami Marlins, framed the concept in simple terms: “Really, it’s just about making the bat as heavy and as fat as possible in the area where you’re trying to do damage.”
The bats have been custom-fit to individual players’ swing patterns. Cody Bellinger, Anthony Volpe, Paul Goldschmidt, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. have all embraced the new design. Even Rays phenom Junior Caminero used one for a single on Sunday.
But not everyone’s buying in — yet.
Aaron Judge, the face of Yankees power and a human highlight reel, is sticking with his traditional bat. “Why try to change something if you have something that’s working?” he said after hitting four homers over the weekend without the torpedo.
That brings us back to the Dodgers.
The Dodgers’ Current Approach
The Dodgers boast one of the deepest and most dynamic lineups in baseball, from Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman to Mookie Betts and Will Smith. The bats are already hot, and the front office is well known for staying ahead of the curve when it comes to analytics, performance, and player development.
Still, even the most innovative organizations hesitate before adopting sweeping changes — especially when the tools in question are as personal as a player’s bat. Hitting is built on feel, rhythm, and consistency. For many players, even a small grip adjustment can throw everything off.
But the potential gains can’t be ignored.
The Yankees’ surge wasn’t just hype. It was historic. And while the torpedo bat likely isn’t the only reason for their power outburst — let’s not forget, they’ve got sluggers with serious pop — the trend is undeniable.
Orioles hitting coach Cody Asche put it well: “I think that’s probably the next progression in hitting — finding out where you hit the ball in the sweet spot, putting more mass there, without changing too many things.”
The Pros and Cons
Pros for the Dodgers:
- Immediate Power Boost: Adding mass to the sweet spot could turn routine fly balls into extra-base hits — or homers.
- Customization: These bats can be tailored to individual swing paths, fitting right into the Dodgers’ player-specific development model.
- Early Adoption Advantage: The Dodgers are always looking for that 1% edge. Getting in on this early could give them a jump on other contenders.
Cons and Considerations:
- Injury Risk? Giancarlo Stanton, an early adopter of the torpedo bat, now finds himself on the injured list with elbow issues. While no one’s definitively blaming the bat, the concern is out there.
- Feel and Familiarity: As Aaron Judge and others have said, a change in bat shape — even if technically advantageous — could throw off a hitter’s timing or comfort.
- One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Not every hitter will benefit equally. For some, their current setup may already maximize their potential.
Final Verdict: Should the Dodgers Try It?
Yes — selectively.
The Dodgers should absolutely explore torpedo bats — not as a team-wide mandate, but as an option in their toolbelt. With so much data available on swing path, bat speed, and contact location, the team is in a perfect position to evaluate whether these bats could add value for certain players.
Imagine a bat tailored to Max Muncy’s uppercut swing or designed to maximize Tommy Edman’s contact-heavy approach. For a player like Teoscar Hernández, who already generates great exit velocity, the extra mass in the sweet spot might be the push from warning track to bleachers.
Meanwhile, guys like Freeman and Betts — who have proven, elite approaches — may feel no need to tinker. And that’s perfectly fine.
The Dodgers don’t need to reinvent the wheel. But they should be willing to test-drive the torpedo.
After all, it’s not cheating. It’s just smart physics — and good baseball sense.
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