TAMPA, Fla – So, here’s baseball.
Most call this sport a game of innovation and then a series of adjustments. Pundits like to think of a principal reason for low batting averages and high earned run averages lay in the intellect and ability of players to adjust and modify.
Since the advent of analytics about a decade ago, there remains the constant demand to gain an edge, reach further and drive up production.
Now in the third decade of the 21st century, here’s a new dimension and that’s designed to spark offense and terrify pitchers.
Welcome to the era of the torpedo bat.
An innovation of Aaron Leanhadt, educated at MIT and former physics professor at the University of Michigan, the torpedo bat is a decided change in the architecture and draft of a bat and is intended to increase weight and volume at the barrel. That’s the part closest to the batter’s hands.
While bat design remains transformational, players can expect an ever-changing roster of alterations and modifications.
“Bats are always changing,” said Derek Shelton, the Pittsburgh Pirates manager. “Hitters are always trying to figure out what’s the best thing in my hand to fit my swing. Some hitters now feel this torpedo bat is the case. It’s not like they’re new. These were available last year and in spring training, and we saw guys using. Everyone has the availability to use these.”
While the use of the torpedo bat seems to have appeared from nowhere, a dramatic event thrust the bat to popular conversation. When the New York Yankees hammered nine home runs on March 29 in a 20-9 victory over Milwaukee, homers by Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm. Cody Bellinger and Anthony Volpe were all charged with the Torpedo bat. That achievement opened a wide-ranging discussion on the use and future of the latest bat innovation.
“We will have to start using this because everyone seems to be using it,” said Rays’ first baseman Yandy Diaz. “I can’t really say if this is any good and that’s based in my experience. I used this just one time, but other guys have used them. They have good things to say, so it’s just a matter of time and see what happens.”
Because of its peculiar design, the future use could change. While the basic principle may remain consistent, players will likely make personal changes and variations.
“Hitters, over the next three or four years, will try and find something, legally, that fits their swing,” Shelton added. “Bats are one area where baseball lags. If you look at the PGA tour, each guy on the tour has every club customized to what their swing might be, swing speed, and I cannot even begin to tell you what it is or how this works. We have the same information with hitters now in the game. I think hitters are starting to realize like, ‘all right, we need to build stuff that works to what I am doing.’ I think we’ll see this bat conversation change over the course of the next three, four, five years.”
On the diamond … in the first week of the season, the Tampa Bay Rays remain one of the hottest teams. After a 7-0 victory over the Pirates on April 1, the club picked up their fourth win in the opening five games. In that stretch, the Rays recorded a team ERA of 1.60 and that’s the lowest through a five-game period in club history. As well, the Rays have issued no walks in four consecutive games and that’s the first time since the A’s did that from Sept. 25 – 28, 2014. … Outfielder Jake Magnum continues to torch the opposition. With a 3-for-4 night against the Pirates on April 1, he raised his season batting average to .636 after five games. “This game is not easy, and stepping in the box, it’s believing I can get the job done and believe in the work we put in,” he said after that 7-0 win over the Pirates. “There is no secret, and just believing in yourself and then stepping in the box.”
Next … the initial Tampa Bay home stand of the season concludes with a matinee on Wednesday. The Rays face reigning National League rookie-of-the-year and All-Star game starter Paul Skenes. In his initial start of the season March 27 at Miami, Skenes allowed two runs over 5.2 innings. He draws righty Ryan Pepiot (0-0, 1.50 ERA) as his mound opponent. After this series, the Pirates open their home schedule on Friday against the New York Yankees, and the Rays hit the road for a three-game set against the Texas Rangers in Arlington.
