MLB Rumors: Are The Yankees New Torpedo Bats Illegal?

The New York Yankees broke offensive records on Saturday in their game against the Milwaukee Brewers. But questions have been raised about the validity of their dominance, due to the unique equipment that they used during the contest.

Yankees New Bats Have Come Into Question

The home runs came early and often. The top of the Yankees’ order opened the game with back-to-back-to-back home runs, which came off of the first three pitches from opposing starter Nester Cortes. The onslaught would continue throughout the contest, as New York set a franchise record by hitting 9 home runs in total, including three from superstar outfielder Aaron Judge.

The Brewers wound up scoring nine runs themselves thanks to five defensive errors by the Yankees, but eventually lost by a score of 20-9.

In the hours after the game, New York’s batting equipment came into question. Five of the players in the Yankees lineup are testing out new bats this year, ones that have an odd shape by the usual standards. Best described as looking like a torpedo, the bats are designed so that there is more wood is closer to the barrel. It creates more mass at the point of contact, which has been one of the big reasons for the hot start by the players using them.

Well this is wild…

The Yankees made new bats that moved more of the wood into the label so the hardest part of the bat strikes the ball.

They have 8 home runs today. pic.twitter.com/CH2cOmvOh8

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 29, 2025

Shortstop Anthony Volpe is one of the players utilizing the new wood, and he has seen solid returns through the first two games of the season. He hit a home run in each of the contests, including one in Saturday’s onslaught against the Brewers. Other players like Cody Bellinger are using the new bats, and have been prepping to use them in live action since as early as last season.

“I think the benefit for me is I like the weight distribution personally,” explained Bellinger. “The weight’s closer to my hands, so I feel as if it’s lighter in a way. So that for me was the biggest benefit. And then obviously the bigger the sweet spot, the bigger the margin for error.”

Is The New Equipment Legal By MLB Standards?

Not all of the Yankees players are taking part, though. Judge has said that he has little interest in the new bats, and is still playing like his dominant self without them. Through three games, Judge has raked four home runs and accounted for 11 RBIs while using the standard equipment.

There seems to be a lot of confusion about the Yankees new torpedo-style bats, but they are perfectly legal.

MLB bats must be made from one piece of solid wood, be no more than 2.61 inches in diameter at their thickest part, and not exceed 42 inches in length.

No problems here. pic.twitter.com/70JSOVaoGi

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 30, 2025

There are plenty of fans and pundits who have raised concerns about the legality of the odd-shaped bats, but no rules have been violated when it comes to MLB regulations. Bats must be no more than 2.61 inches in diameter, and not exceed 42 inches in length. The ones used by the five Yankees players are within the parameters.

Rumor has it that the idea has been in the works for some time. One report says that Aaron Leanhardt, who served as a team analyst last season, is the brain child. The former MIT physicist is no longer with the team after leaving for the Marlins this off-season, but came up with the idea that has stuck in New York.