Torpedo bats are the talk of MLB as the year begins. Basically, they look like this: Back in my middle Iowa early 20s slow pitch softball heyday (I know, it’s an oddly specific heyday) these bats were used. I loved my team’s since it turned my routine fly outs into legitimate warning track power. The idea […]
Torpedo bats are the talk of MLB as the year begins. Basically, they look like this:
Back in my middle Iowa early 20s slow pitch softball heyday (I know, it’s an oddly specific heyday) these bats were used. I loved my team’s since it turned my routine fly outs into legitimate warning track power. The idea is to get more wood into the sweet spot, thereby increasing the barrel rate. Really fun story, this is, as the season begins, the Yankees put the wood to the Brewers using them (notably Aaron Judge did not though, and hit 4, so might be overblown). Any time an MIT professor gets into baseball, it’s worth following.
So, in the spirit of torpedo bats, let’s look at the data for some early season strugglers and standouts. Who will torpedo your season, and who can propel your team up to higher heights?
Bad Torpedoes
Rafael Devers: Devers was a popular fade and has done absolutely nothing to dissuade the haters. He has struck out an astronomical 67% of at bats. This might seem like bad news, especially when coupled with zero hits. His bat speed has been down 3 MPH from his 73 down to 70. The sweet spot has not been struck with his bat (maybe should switch to torpedo, but if you miss the sweet spot it’s not ideal). Reported shoulder issues and this data would make me feel sick if I had drafted Devers anywhere (I didn’t but wasn’t opposed to it). Don’t panic sell yet, but if you can get preseason value for him you’d have to at least entertain the idea. Losing bat speed and shoulder issues combined can sink the ship that is your fantasy hopes.
If you’re asking, and I don’t know why you wouldn’t be, he is on pace to strike out 367 times in 600 plate appearances as of Tuesday morning.
Rocket You to Success?
Every year, smart fantasy people talk about deep and shallow positions. Also every year, people break out. It’s not about being a shallow position at the corners; it’s about identifying breakouts and nabbing them early. Here are some guys who will torpedo up draft rankings for next season.
Kyle Manzardo: Manzardo had a big weekend with a 1.844 OPS and two home runs, not to mention a .455 batting average. Of course, this is a small sample. But in this small sample, the plate approach looks solid. If he can maintain a 21% walk rate and only a 14% strikeout rate that would be very nice. He likely won’t continue to barrel 80% of the time. The thing with Manzardo is that he was a highly touted prospect who had a family issue and a lousy season, then was traded to Cleveland where he was blocked, and now the playing time is clear. He’ll get at bats at DH and first base and should have a league average or better average and over 70 runs and ribbies. Not combined, in each one.
This is the way. Be like Grogu and tag along with the Manzalorian. Here’s a young player with prospect pedigree who is playing full time for the first time in his career. He hit five jacks and batted over .270 last season. The view here is that he will not be only 27% owned for long. I understand he’s UTIL only; as soon as the five games hit he’s at least a useful CI spot guy with potential to be more in a soon to be not shallow position.
Spencer Torkelson: Tork is now batting cleanup for a good team in Detroit and raking. Small sample size, of course, but there are narrative reasons to buy into this post post hype sleeper. He was picked one overall for a reason, right? Torkelson has had a solid plate approach. While it’s admittedly early, this is a Statcast comparison from last season to the first four games of 2025.
Walk Rate: 8% increased to 26%
Whiff rate: Decreased from 26% to 14%
Sweet Spot: 31% increased to 67%.
I know it’s early! The whiff and walk rate are encouraging if you’re looking for a reason to buy in. You have to at least try it to see.
The Torpedo Users:
Here are the corner infielders confirmed to be using torpedo bats:
Cody Bellinger
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Paul Goldschmidt
Junior Caminero
All four of these guys after the first weekend are hitting over .400 and all but Caminero have a home run. Slacker Junior Caminero is only batting .500 to start the season. It’s one of the first truly fun stories for this season, and the hope here is that it can restore some balance to the pitcher/hitter dynamic and even things out a bit.
Thanks for reading, and hope I didn’t torpedo your day with my dad jokes. In my defense, I am a dad and teacher, so it’s part of the gig.
