By Sunday 
A New Controversy in Baseball
The New York Yankees have started the season with a historic power surge, hitting 15 home runs in their first three games while sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers. The impressive display tied an AL/NL record, but not everyone is celebrating.
The source of the Yankees’ newfound dominance? A newly designed bat—dubbed the ‘torpedo’ bat—that has left opponents stunned and skeptical.
What Are ‘Torpedo’ Bats?
Unlike traditional bats, the ‘torpedo’ design shifts the barrel’s mass closer to the hitter’s hands, supposedly giving players better control and more powerful contact. Though the bats are completely legal under MLB rules, their unique build has drawn criticism from players who see them as an unfair advantage.
Brewers Pitcher Sounds Off
One of the loudest voices against the bats has been Milwaukee Brewers reliever Trevor Megill. Speaking with the New York Post, Megill didn’t hold back his frustration.
“I think it’s terrible,” Megill said. “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.”
The unexpected design of the bats caught the Brewers’ bullpen off guard. Megill described his initial reaction, saying, “It took a minute for the shock to go away, since from the bullpen, they looked like bowling pins. We weren’t able to process it.”
Science or Unfair Advantage?
Baseball is evolving rapidly, with technology and analytics shaping the way the game is played. As Megill acknowledged, “It’s a big data race, with science and technology playing a huge role in baseball now. You can’t hate them for trying something new.”
That perspective may not be enough to quiet critics, especially as more teams become aware of the Yankees’ secret weapon. If these bats continue to fuel home run barrages, expect deeper discussions on whether they should be regulated.
Yankees Stand by Their Innovation
The Yankees, for their part, are embracing the change. Several players, including Austin Wells, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Anthony Volpe, have already homered using the bats.
“The concept makes so much sense. I know I’m bought in,” Volpe said. “The bigger you can have the barrel where you hit the ball, it makes sense to me.”
While Megill and other opponents may not be fans of the new bats, the Yankees see them as an innovation that aligns with the modern game. Whether the rest of the league follows suit—or fights for stricter regulations—remains to be seen.