Not everyone in baseball is a fan of the torpedo bats that have taken the league by storm.
These specialized bats — where the wood weight is redistributed to make the barrel thicker — quickly gained traction after the New York Yankees tied an MLB record by bashing 15 home runs while sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in their first three games of the season. In one game alone, the Yankees connected for nine homers.
The Yankees aren’t the only ones using these bats. All-Stars Francisco Lindor (New York Mets), Elly De La Cruz (Cincinnati Reds), Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies), and Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles) have also been taking them into the batter’s box.
Despite their growing popularity, some pitchers are taking issue with the torpedo bats.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Matt Strahm wants pitchers to even playing field
Phillies reliever Matt Strahm, who made his first All-Star team last season, posted on X that pitchers should be allowed to use anything a hitter uses.
“Let them use whatever bat they want. Let’s just allow pitchers to use whatever hitters have in the on deck circle. And not check us like we are criminals every time we walk on or off the field. I’m just a pitcher but I’m assuming better grip helps ya swing harder…,” Strahm stated.
Let them use whatever bat they want. Let’s just allow pitchers to use whatever hitters have in the on deck circle. And not check us like we are criminals every time we walk on or off the field. I’m just a pitcher but I’m assuming better grip helps ya swing harder…
— Matt Strahm (@MattStrahm) April 1, 2025
Strahm is referring to MLB’s crackdown on pitchers using sticky substances since May 2021, when the league batting average had fallen to .236 and was on pace to be the lowest in history (just below the .237 mark set in 1968). If caught with a sticky foreign substance, pitchers face immediate ejection and a 10-game suspension with pay.
In a follow-up post, Strahm clarified his position: “Not sticky cause some of that stuff was a bit much. Just whatever a hitter can use to grip a bat better we can use too.”
Strahm’s teammate, third baseman Alec Bohm, is among those using the torpedo bat. Bohm has gone 5-for-19 with a double during the Phillies’ 3-1 start to the season.
While torpedo bats are currently legal to use, it remains to be seen if MLB will step in and take action regarding their growing presence in the game.
