A surprising trend is taking over the baseball world, and it’s not what anyone expected. The spotlight is now on a uniquely shaped bat—commonly referred to as the “torpedo” bat. This isn’t just a novelty item. Players, fans, and analysts are all talking about it, especially after the New York Yankees hit 15 home runs in their first three games of the MLB season against the Milwaukee Brewers. Remarkably, all nine homers came off torpedo bats, causing a wave of intrigue across the league.
Legendary 82-year-old Chicago Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins has weighed in with a bold prediction: the torpedo bat isn’t a short-term trend, but rather the beginning of a new era in baseball. He believes that before the All-Star break, every MLB team will have at least half a dozen players swinging the torpedo bat. His prediction is supported by the example of Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe—previously not known as a heavy hitter—who has significantly improved his offensive output since using the new bat.
Jenkins went on to claim that players using this bat could see an increase of around 20 points in their batting average. For instance, hitters batting .255 or .260 could potentially hit around .280. That’s a considerable leap, especially in a time when batting averages have generally declined. In 2014, the MLB-wide average was .251, which is higher than what was seen recently. In the 2024 season, only seven players ended with a .300 average, underlining the offensive struggles across the league.
According to Jenkins, the success of one player using the torpedo bat can easily influence others on the team to give it a try. As word spreads, more players are following suit, making the torpedo bat a growing phenomenon rather than a passing phase. Jenkins believes this trend is just the beginning of what could become the “Torpedo Era” in baseball.
During a recent Yankees game at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the buzz around the bat continued. Pirates pitcher Colin Holderman commented on the bat, suggesting that while its shape may be unconventional, it still doesn’t take away from the fact that hitting is difficult no matter what. He emphasized that making solid contact is the key, regardless of the bat.
Meanwhile, Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski mentioned experimenting with the torpedo bat during the offseason. He said the bat wasn’t as dramatic in real life as it looks on TV. Infielder Jared Triolo, who is waiting for his own torpedo bats to be delivered, shared that players often try various bat models, so trying out this one felt like a natural next step. While he didn’t give a strong opinion yet, he’s clearly open to exploring its potential.
Holderman wrapped up his comments by acknowledging that adaptation is key in the major leagues. “You adapt or die in this league,” he said, indicating his readiness to adjust if the bat becomes a regular part of the game. Importantly, MLB rule 3.02 allows torpedo bats, so as of now, they are completely legal. That means teams can continue to experiment and test their impact.
With these developments, the baseball world watches closely to see whether the torpedo bat will permanently reshape the game or fade out as just another temporary craze. One thing is certain: the experiment has already begun, and it’s changing the way many think about hitting.