© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Yankees made uncountable headlines throughout the first weekend of the MLB season thanks to their experimental bats unveiled in 2025. Many believe that new equipment has aided power numbers across their first three games.
Star infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. is one of the players in the lineup using the altered bats. He publicly ripped critics on Monday following a successful series at the plate vs. the Brewers.
Chisholm smacked three home runs over the weekend, two of which came in the Yankees‘ series finale. The performance helped New York secure a sweep with a 12-3 win.
View this post on Instagram
In all, the team bashed 15 dingers and totaled 36 runs. It sparked immediate cheating concerns amongst baseball followers.
Milwaukee pitcher Trevor Megill voiced his displeasure with the new bats after seeing his teammates hammered by the Bronx Bombers, though he’s hesitant to see change. “I think it’s been terrible,” he said of the bats. “But it’s the Yankees so [the MLB] will let it slide.”
The new torpedo design has shifted the weight of the bat from the barrel to other areas. Still, the dimensions fall within MLB guidelines. The Yankees have not violated any league rules.
The man responsible for the design is Aaron Leanhardt, a former MIT physicist that now works for the Marlins. He was employed by the Yankees prior to his move to Miami.
It’s worth noting that not everyone is using the equipment, including AL MVP frontrunner Aaron Judge who hit four home runs this past weekend. Still, the negativity towards the bats remains.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. broke his silence on the situation Monday. He called his critics “idiots.”
Okay explanation: The barrel is bigger and within MLB regulation! For the idiots that say it’s moved to the label you’re an idiot! Nobody is trying to get jammed you just move the wood from the parts you don’t use to the parts you do! You’re welcome no more stress for y’all!
The infielder says the club is acting within the MLB rulebook. He shot down false narratives surrounding the Yankees’ new bats, though he certainly seems to have benefitted from the switch.
Through three games, Chisholm is hitting .417 with three bombs and six RBIs. He’s never hit above .256 across a full professional season. His career-high for home runs is set at 24. He’s on pace to annihilate those numbers, though it’s a limited small sample size.
The Yankees set numerous records on opening weekend. Many believe the equipment is to blame. As a result, a number of MLB organizations are rushing to place orders for bats of their own. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
The change has paid dividends for a few New York stars, Chisholm included. He’s hesitant to give the bats all the credit. It will be interesting to see how the Yankees perform over the course of the year, and if the MLB begins monitoring the torpedo clubs moving forward. For now, it seems they’re here to stay.