With power-packed performances expected from the New York Yankees this season, the team has started the game with three consecutive home runs, each coming on one of the first three pitches of the game. Even as the Yankees are set to make records, the team’s newly designed bats have become one of the biggest takeaways from the day. Former New York Yankees’ third baseman Kevin Smith breaks the “Torpedo style bats” down for people to understand.
Kevin Smith explains the Torpedo barrel’s significance
In a series of posts on X, Kevin Smith, who has been a popular name in the Major League Baseball industry, and has played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, and New York Yankees, explains how the New York Yankees had a genius MIT Physicist, who invented the “Torpedo” barrel. Smith said:
“Yes, the Yankees have a literal genius MIT Physicist, Lenny (who is the man), on payroll. He invented the “Torpedo” barrel. It brings more wood – and mass – to where you most often make contact as a hitter. The idea is to increase the number of “barrels” and decrease misses.”
Further, Kevin Smith explained that MLB does have rules on bats, regarding the weight, the density and how big the barrel can be. Smith said:
“The MLB has rules on bats like what the weight drop can be, what the density of the wood can be and how big the barrel can be. Most guys are using bats that aren’t even close to maxing out the barrel size. When Lenny measured my barrel compared to what’s ‘allowed,’ I was shocked.”
Kevin Smith says the Torpedo barrels aren’t that big
The former New York Yankees’ ace, Kevin Smith also explained the Torpedo bats aren’t really that big. He said:
“They also feel a little lighter, there’s more weight closer to your hands so you can swing a heavier bat. It kind of feels like those old wiffle ball bats you used as a kid, the barrel feels massive the first time you pick it up. But it’s really not that big.”
He further explained:
“The reason some players use a thinner barrel on purpose is wood density. The thought is if there is a smaller barrel but same weight then the wood is more dense in my barrel and would lead to higher exit velocity.”
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