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An early storyline in the 2025 MLB season has been the “torpedo” bats used by the New York Yankees. In its first two games, the lineup cranked 11 home runs.
Nine came in a blowout win over Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. AL MVP favorite Aaron Judge hit three dingers in the victory.
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The Yankees lead the majors in homers through the opening weekend. Their new bats have been a topic of conversation.
The team unveiled “experimental” equipment that’s shifted the weight of the bat from the barrel to other areas. The new bats look different than what’s typically seen. The torpedo design caught viewers’ attention.
Now, not everyone in the lineup is using the bats. That includes Aaron Judge. Still, others have taken advantage, like Jazz Chisholm. New York commentator Michael Kay broke down the changes in his Saturday broadcast.
“The Yankee front office, the analytics department, did a study on Anthony Volpe, and every single ball it seemed like he hit on the label. He didn’t hit any on the barrel. So, they had bats made where they moved a lot of the wood into the label, so the harder part of the bat is going to actually strike the ball… It allows you to wait a little bit longer.”
-Michael Kay
MLB rules allow for weight to be distributed throughout the bat so long as the thickest part of the barrel is no wider than 2.61 inches. Bats must also be no longer than 42 inches. The Yankees have not violated any rules with their new equipment.
Milwaukee pitcher Trevor Megill doesn’t expect the MLB to do anything about the changes, though he disagrees that the bats should be legal.
“I think it’s been terrible. We’ll see what the data says. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I feel like it’s something used in slow-pitch softball. It’s genius. Put the mass all in one spot. It might be bush league, it might not be, but it’s the Yankees so they’ll let it slide.”
-Trevor Megill via the New York Post
Megill wouldn’t get any happier on Sunday. Aaron Judge left the yard again in the series finale. It was his fourth home run in less than 24 hours. The Brewers got beat 12-3. New York totaled four homers on the night.
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So long as the Yankees continue hitting homers, the new bats will be questioned. They added to their MLB lead Sunday. New York is up to 15 homers on the year and counting.
Trevor Megill hasn’t been happy watching his team get bullied by the Bronx Bombers. He’s not expecting any changes to come, though!