Torpedo Bats!
The Yankees tied the MLB record with 15 home runs in their first three games of the season, thanks in part to some unusual equipment. New York used an MIT physicist during the offseason to help create the “Torpedo” barrel, which brings more wood and mass to where contact is most often made.
It's a small sample that included high winds in favorable matchups, but the early results are undeniable. The Yankees became the first team in MLB history to have their 1-6 hitters all hit home runs in the same game. Aaron Judge has been a huge reason for New York’s early offensive explosion — and he hasn’t changed bats — but Jazz Chisholm (358 wRC+), Anthony Volpe (162), Cody Bellinger (156) and Austin Wells (209) are all benefitting from the Torpedoes.
The difference between the Yankees’ team wRC+ (239) and the second-best (164) is greater than the difference between No. 2 and No. 15!
Other Yankee hitters plan to make the switch (*crosses fingers it’s Jasson Domínguez*), but Torpedoes haven’t been limited to New York. Adley Rutschman (175 wRC+) has adopted the new bat during spring training and early this season, while a handful of Phillies (Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh) have placed their orders. Elly De La Cruz went 4-for-5 with two homers and seven RBI during his first game using the Torpedo bat Monday. Expect many more to follow soon.
In a possibly related note, HR/FB rate (13.1%) is up across the league in the (very) early going
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