Something strange is happening at Yankee Stadium, and it’s not just what you think. Some New York Yankees players are swinging a radically redesigned MIT bat, nicknamed the “Torpedo”, and it’s turning heads across Major League Baseball.
From MIT to the Yankees: How physics changed the game
The twist? This cutting-edge piece of sports tech wasn’t invented by a coach or a player. It was co-created by an MIT-trained physicist who used to teach college science. And now helps players crush baseballs.
Aaron Leanhardt, a physicist with a PhD from MIT, teamed up with the Yankees’ analytics department to rethink how bats work. Traditional bats are evenly shaped. But the Torpedo shifts weight toward the “sweet spot”, the area players are actually aiming to hit the ball.
Not everyone’s using it… yet
Imagine a bat shaped more like a bowling pin: slimmer at the ends, heavier in the middle. That extra mass in the barrel means harder contact, less wasted motion, and potentially more power, especially when a hitter connects clean. And yes. MLB has confirmed that the bat design is 100% legal.
Yankees stars like Anthony Volpe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. have already taken the Torpedo for a spin, with noticeable results. Even Cody Bellinger and JC Escarra are experimenting. But not every slugger is on board. Aaron Judge is sticking with his usual gear (for now).
Other MLB teams will follow
Still, with exit velocities climbing and home runs flying, this Yankees MIT innovation could spread fast. If it keeps producing results, expect other teams to follow.
This isn’t just a sports story. It’s a Bronx-born innovation blending science, data, and tradition. It shows how New York stays ahead: not just with talent, but with ideas.
The Torpedo bat is proof that even the oldest games can evolve. And that the Yankees are always at the front.