MLB's torpedo bats aren't new — and they aren't magic

The jury is still out on the real long-term effects of the 'torpedo,' a relatively new bat style that is shaking up MLB.

By now, you’ve probably heard about baseball’s greatest innovation since the curveball: MLB’s new “torpedo” bat, the reconfigured bat that moves the barrel — or the sweet spot — closer to the handle, seemingly turning even the most meager of hitters into home run machines.

The New York Yankees famously made a splash with the bats on opening weekend, slugging 15 homers in their opening series against the Milwaukee Brewers, with several players taking the torpedo for a spin.

The Yankees aren’t alone, though. The Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz, another torpedo adopter, hit two home runs and drove in seven runs Monday night in a 14-3 win against the Texas Rangers. Other teams that have been spotted with the new wood include the Chicago Cubs, the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox, the Minnesota Twins, the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets.

Does that mean offense is up MLB-wide? Can the average of runs per game exceed 5, which hasn’t happened since 2000?

The jury is still out on the real long-term effects of the relatively new bat style. There are a couple undeniable truths, however: The bats were used before this season, and they’re not a game-changer for every player.