The Cincinnati Reds’ star shortstop delivered an unforgettable performance, using a new “torpedo” bat for the first time, going 4-for-5 with two home runs, seven RBIs, and four runs scored in a 14-3 victory over the Texas Rangers.
“I tried it today and felt really comfortable,” De La Cruz said after the game. “It feels great, no different than traditional bats.”
“Torpedo” bats, named for their torpedo-like shape, have become a hot topic in Major League Baseball after the New York Yankees hit 15 home runs in their opening series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The bat’s design was developed by former MIT physicist and current Miami Marlins staffer Aaron “Lenny” Leanhardt, who worked as an analyst for the Yankees. The concept was to make the bat as heavy and thick as possible in the area where players make contact most frequently with the ball. The Yankees’ analytics team customized the bat for each player based on their individual hitting data, placing the barrel at the spot where they hit most often.
Now, teams across the league, including the Reds, are experimenting with the bat in games. De La Cruz’s breakout performance on Monday showed the immediate impact it can have.
The shortstop’s career-high seven RBIs and his second home run, which traveled 436 feet at 110.2 mph off the bat, helped lead the Reds to victory. He was also supported by Matt McLain, who hit a home run in his third consecutive game. With the win, the Reds are now 2-2 after opening the season with a split series against the San Francisco Giants.
Manager Terry Francona commented that De La Cruz’s success was “more the player than the bat,” but hinted that other players might start using the new bats.
“Our guys will order what they’re comfortable with,” Francona said. “Bats are personal. As long as they’re MLB approved, I’m fine with it.”
MLB regulations allow the use of “torpedo” bats as long as they comply with Rule 3.02, which states that the bat must be a smooth, round stick no more than 2.61 inches in diameter at its thickest part and not longer than 42 inches, with the bat being made of solid wood.