New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. took to social media to defend the team’s use of newly designed “torpedo bats,” which have come under fire despite being approved by Major League Baseball.
Torpedo bats spark league-wide controversy
The bats feature a slightly larger barrel than the standard models typically used across Major League Baseball. According to the league, the bats are fully compliant with regulations. Still, their unusual shape and the Yankees’ explosive start to the season have drawn criticism from fans and even rival players.
Despite the pushback, MLB confirmed that the Yankees’ bats are within legal limits. The rulebook allows for some variance in bat shape, as long as specifications for diameter and length aren’t exceeded. The Yankees’ bats stay within those parameters.
Jazz Chisholm claps back on social media
Jazz Chisholm addressed the backlash head-on in a post on X (formerly Twitter), firing back at those accusing the Yankees of bending the rules.
“Okay explanation: the barrel is bigger and within MLB regulation!” Chisholm wrote. “For the idiots that say it’s moved to the label, you’re an idiot! Nobody is trying to get jammed — you just move the wood from the parts you don’t use to the parts you do! You’re welcome, no more stress for y’all!”
The message was loud and clear: Chisholm isn’t interested in entertaining what he sees as baseless complaints.
Yankees offense explodes in season-opening sweep
New York opened the 2025 season with a dominant sweep over the Milwaukee Brewers, outscoring them 36-14 across three games. The Yankees slugged 15 home runs in the series, including a 20-9 blowout in the second game and a 12-3 win in the finale.
Chisholm, who hit three home runs in the series, was one of the team’s most productive hitters. With such a hot start, the performance only intensified debate around the torpedo bats.
Barstool Sports founder and longtime Red Sox fan Dave Portnoy added to the controversy with a viral video slamming the Yankees’ bats.
“Yankees have a long history of cheating… and this is just the latest,” Portnoy said. “If you get sawed off and hit the ball on the label, that means you stink. I should be in the big leagues with this thing.”
Chisholm responded by quote-posting the video, writing, “This is a high school baller talking,” with a laughing emoji — clearly unimpressed by Portnoy’s take.
Not just a Yankees tool: other players using torpedo bats
Though the Yankees have become the face of the torpedo bat trend, the bats are not exclusive to the Bronx. Players such as Paul Goldschmidt and Anthony Volpe have also used them, and the bat’s designer now works for the Miami Marlins.
The design redistributes wood from less-used areas of the bat to the hitting zone, offering more surface area without violating league rules. While the shape may look unconventional, it’s not unprecedented in the game’s evolution.
Yankees set to face Diamondbacks next
New York continues its homestand on Tuesday night with a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. With the offense firing and the controversy growing, expect the bats to remain a focal point — especially if the Yankees continue their torrid pace at the plate.
Whether you love them or hate them, the torpedo bats aren’t going anywhere — and neither is Jazz Chisholm’s unapologetic approach to shutting down the critics.
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