Baseball can be a game of trends. Big league players are always looking to get that much desired edge over their competition, with every developing idea having a chance to be implemented. The latest craze that has stuck a chord around baseball is the dawn of the "torpedo bat."
The creation of MIT physicist Aaron Leanhardt has now caused quite the commotion. The idea came to light after the New York Yankees slugged nine home runs on Saturday over Opening Weekend while sporting some oddly shaped bats (subscription required), per Sam Blum of The Athletic. The bat gets its name from moving the bulk of the barrel more toward the label, giving it a torpedo shape.
Can torpedo bats help the Phillies?
After early success, multiple teams have put in requests for the torpedo bat, including the Philadelphia Phillies. Even with the implementation of the new bats, could last year's plate discipline blunders haunt them regardless of what bats they’re using?
The Phillies' main issue, and what led to their early exit in the playoffs each of the last three postseasons, has been a lack of plate discipline. When it came down to the final games in October, the routine swing and miss and higher chase rate killed the Phillies' momentum.
The arrival of the torpedo bat can presumably increase better contact, but a better approach at the plate will be where the payoff lies. Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm was already spotted with the new bat at the Phillies’ home opener on Monday while others are awaiting their own, so it remains to be seen if they'll benefit from them.
I asked Bryson Stott about the torpedo bats and if they are something the Phillies have discussed using in-game.
— Devan Kaney (@Devan_Kaney) March 31, 2025
He said he has already texted his guy at Victus about it: pic.twitter.com/uxK71wBmwY
Per FanGraphs, the Phillies had the third-highest chase rate in the National League in 2024 with a 30.4 percent chase rate, behind only the Miami Marlins (32.4 percent) and the Colorado Rockies (31.8 percent). That rate increased to a 31.7 percent chase rate after the All-Star break, the worst in the NL during that span.
Phillies' early-season plate discipline looking good
What spring training did show for the Phillies is that there is work they're putting in. Preseason stats don't always translate to regular season success, but leading the Grapefruit league in walks with 153 left room for optimism.
Things have gone well so far this season. Even after the Phillies' shadow-aided 17-strikeout game on Opening Day, they still entered Thursday's action with the fewest strikeouts in MLB, with 39.
In the four games since that double-digit performance, their 12.7 percent strikeout rate is the best in baseball. Even including Opening Day, they're striking out at a 19.5 percent rate — still better than last season's 22.2 percent clip.
If the torpedo bat takes over the Phillies clubhouse and turns into a team favorite going forward, the club knows it won't be the cure-all to avoid disaster at the plate. The work needs to be put in to have the approaches they strive for. The goal is to not waste at-bats through the season. If they can get the discipline in order, the bats could possibly add depth to their offensive arsenal.
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