Washington State University researchers have completed what they describe as the first laboratory analysis of the innovative baseball bat design, determining that these so-called torpedo bats deliver essentially identical performance to conventional bats.
The Yankees’ distinctive bat design gained widespread attention during the previous season when the team established a franchise milestone by launching nine home runs in a single contest against the Milwaukee Brewers. The unusual appearance of their equipment sparked viral interest across social media and baseball communities.
The torpedo design features a unique profile where material is redistributed from the barrel’s end to the sweet spot area, creating a tapered appearance reminiscent of a bowling pin. Despite the excitement surrounding this configuration, scientific testing suggests the buzz may have been exaggerated.
Lloyd Smith, who serves as both a professor in WSU’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and director of the university’s Sports Science Laboratory, offered a straightforward assessment to WSU Insider. He explained that wood remains wood regardless of shape, noting that wooden bats inherently limit significant performance variations, which helps maintain consistency in the game.
The research team comprises Smith alongside Alan Nathan from the University of Illinois and Daniel Russell from Penn State University. They plan to share their results at the International Sports Engineering Association conference scheduled for June 1-4 in Pullman, Washington.
According to information from WSU Insider, the experimental
methodology involved constructing two conventional Major League Baseball regulation maple bats. The researchers then crafted two additional maple bats featuring the torpedo-style barrel design, ensuring these matched the swing weight of the standard models.
Testing procedures measured energy transfer from bat to ball by launching baseballs from an air cannon toward stationary bats. The team employed light gates and cameras to record both incoming and rebounding ball velocities, providing precise performance data.
Results demonstrated remarkably similar performance characteristics between both bat types, with only one minor distinction: the torpedo design’s sweet spot location shifted approximately half an inch further from the barrel tip compared to traditional bats.
Smith expressed surprise at how closely the measurements aligned between the two designs, describing the similarity as phenomenal.
While certain Yankees players suggested last season that even minor modifications might provide competitive advantages, the team’s leader remained skeptical about the need for change.
Aaron Judge, who established an American League record with 62 home runs in 2022, earned MVP honors with 58 homers in 2024, and repeated as MVP with 53 in 2025, contributed three home runs using conventional equipment during the heavily discussed victory over the Brewers.
Judge told ESPN last May that his performance record over recent seasons speaks for itself, questioning why he would alter an approach that has proven successful.
The New York Yankees recently completed a series in Seattle, claiming victories in two of three games against the Mariners. Meanwhile, across Washington state, scientists were methodically examining the performance characteristics of the Bronx Bombers’ attention-grabbing equipment.
The research findings suggest that despite visual differences and initial excitement, the fundamental physics of wooden bat performance remain unchanged. The study provides empirical evidence that innovative bat shapes, while potentially offering psychological benefits or minor adjustments to hitting zones, do not fundamentally alter the power-generating capabilities of wooden baseball bats within Major League Baseball specifications.