Chisholm brutal in silencing Yankees’ bat critics, but Judge not sold

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The New York Yankees are once again rewriting the script — and this time, it’s not just with their bats, but the bats themselves.

A quiet revolution is brewing inside the Yankees’ clubhouse early in the 2025 season, one that’s split the lineup not by chemistry but by lumber. Enter the torpedo bat — a modified, MLB-legal weapon of war at the plate that has drawn both admiration and skepticism. Among those embracing it is new Yankees spark plug Jazz Chisholm Jr., who delivered his answer to critics both with words and jaw-dropping swings.

“I don’t know the science of it, I just play baseball,” Chisholm replied as his brute force and impeccable swing combined to contribute two long balls in the Yankees’ 12-3 rout of the Brewers on Sunday, bringing his total to three homers in three games to open the season. “It gives you a feeling like you have more to work with. You probably don’t — but it feels like it, and that’s enough.”

Chisholm’s simple response came as others across the league — and even within the Yankees’ orbit — have started questioning the sudden surge in power from hitters wielding these enhanced bats.

What is the Yankees’ new ‘Torpedo’ bat?

The bat in question is designed with more wood mass shifted toward the label, creating a larger barrel and redistributing weight closer to the hitter’s hands. The result: a bigger perceived sweet spot and altered swing dynamics. This design has not violated any MLB Bat Supplier Regulations and is fully cleared for in-game use.

But while it’s legal, it’s controversial. The Yankees erupted for a franchise-record nine home runs in Saturday’s 20-9 demolition of the Milwaukee Brewers — a game many critics point to as a torpedo bat showcase.

Five Yankees are reportedly using it this season: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Anthony Volpe, and Austin Wells.

Volpe bought in — Cool yet credible

Anthony Volpe, the Yankees’ young shortstop, was cautiously optimistic entering the season, but early results have cemented his commitment. After homering in his first two games with the torpedo bat, he isn’t looking back.

“It’s cool to look down at, and the concept makes so much sense,” Volpe said. “The bigger you can have the barrel where you’re going to hit the ball — it just makes sense to me.”

He admitted the psychological edge plays a part: “It’s probably just placebo… but it’s exciting. Anything that gives you even .001 percent more confidence is worth it.”

Cody Bellinger: Lighter and easier

Veteran slugger Cody Bellinger said he first tried a similar model during his time with the Cubs but didn’t like the feel — until the Yankees made improvements.

“The benefit for me is the weight distribution,” Bellinger said. “The weight’s closer to my hands, so it feels lighter. And obviously, the bigger the sweet spot, the bigger the margin for error.”

Bellinger finally found a version that clicked this spring. Chisholm, meanwhile, accidentally picked up Volpe’s bat in a spring training game, doubled, and then homered the next day. That was enough for him to make the switch.

From MIT to the Bronx: The bat’s origins

The mind behind this innovation is Aaron Leanhardt, a former MIT physicist and Yankees analyst, who worked in both player development and major league strategy roles for the club until 2024 November.

Leanhardt, who has been in the Yankees’ system since 2018, reportedly helped design the bat’s physics-driven profile. According to former Yankees minor leaguer Kevin Smith, Leanhardt’s vision was to “increase margin for error without compromising bat speed.”

But not everyone is sold — or entirely safe.

Stanton’s setback raises eyebrows

Giancarlo Stanton, who used the torpedo bat last season, now distances himself from it. While he declined to elaborate, Stanton recently suggested that some of his elbow issues may have been linked to “bat adjustments.” Given his history of injuries and torque-heavy swings, the suggestion raised questions about whether the added mass distribution might be too much for certain hitters.

And that’s likely why the Yankees’ captain is staying away entirely.

Aaron Judge: If it ain’t broke… avoid it

Aaron Judge, the reigning AL MVP and undisputed face of Yankees power, made his stance crystal clear.

“What I did the past couple of seasons speaks for itself,” Judge told The Athletic. “Why try to change something if you have something that’s working?”

He has a point. Judge’s production in 2024 was nothing short of historic: a .322 average, 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, and a 1.159 OPS, leading the league in all four categories. Add that to his 62 home run season in 2022, and there’s little incentive for him to mess with his formula.

Despite not using the torpedo bat, Judge has four home runs in the Yankees’ first three games — further validating his approach.

Manager Aaron Boone sees the bat as just another piece in a broader strategy to stay ahead of the curve.

“We’re always looking for ways to win on the margins,” Boone said. “Whether it’s how we steal bases, align defensively, or even the tools we give our hitters — everything’s on the table if it helps us win within the rules.”

What’s next for the torpedo bat?

The bat’s impact is no longer confined to the Bronx. Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers used it in a game this past weekend, and whispers around clubhouses suggest more players are testing them during batting practice.

Volpe acknowledged that some in the Yankees clubhouse wished the advantage had remained a secret. But once the balls started flying, that was never going to last.

“I’m sure there’s a part of our clubhouse that wanted it under wraps,” Volpe said. “But it was always going to be out. Once the numbers started showing, people were going to notice.”

For now, the Yankees’ offense looks reborn, powered by a mix of innovation, confidence, and brute force. Whether the torpedo bat becomes the next big league-wide trend or remains a niche tool remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Jazz Chisholm Jr. and his bat are speaking loudly, and the results speak for themselves.

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge remains the ultimate baseline. No new tech. No new tricks. Just baseball’s most dangerous right-handed hitter doing what he does best — crushing expectations with traditional lumber.

What do you think?

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