At first glance, the Yankees might have found a new way to dominate defensively — by introducing gloves bigger than your average carry-on luggage. A viral image circulating online shows an outfielder appearing to use a glove roughly the size of a car door, prompting jokes across social media that the team is doing everything possible to secure outs.
But while the glove was clearly a joke, there’s nothing fictional about what’s really giving the Yankees an edge — their now-infamous “torpedo bats.”
First seen during their explosive season-opening sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, the torpedo bats — with a modified barrel shape that helps increase contact consistency — have been at the center of the Yankees’ offensive eruption. In just three games, the Bronx Bombers scored 36 runs and crushed a franchise-record nine home runs in one outing. Aaron Judge led the charge, and the bats didn’t seem to be slowing down.
Critics immediately cried foul, questioning the legality and fairness of the uniquely-shaped bats. But as it turns out, the Yankees aren’t alone. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, star slugger Giancarlo Stanton had been experimenting with the design as early as last postseason — when he crushed seven home runs in 14 games.
What’s more, teams like the Atlanta Braves are now joining the movement. Braves catcher Drake Baldwin told Passan he used a torpedo bat in the Arizona Fall League, and with New York’s hot start, other players are beginning to follow suit. Matt Olson is even considering making the switch himself.
While MLB has yet to officially address whether any rule adjustments will be made around these bats, one thing is clear: the torpedo bat era is here, and it’s spreading fast. Whether it’s a glove the size of a mattress or a bat shaped like a bowling pin, the Yankees are staying at the forefront of innovation — and winning while doing it.
