It’s the buzz of of Major League Baseball this season – the Torpedo bat.

While some may see the uniquely designed MLB-approved bats as just another gimmick reminiscent of the Wonderboy bat from the 1984 hit movie The Natural starring Robert Redford, a growing number of players – and fans – see them as the greatest baseball innovation since the batting helmet.

Torpedo bats have a nontraditional barrel which rests closer to the hitter’s hands. The bats are designed with more wood concentrated in the area of the bat where the hitter is most likely to hit the ball.

There’s no question which camp Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is in. In the Reds 14-3 pounding of the Texas Rangers at Great American Ballpark on Monday, the 23-year-old Sabana Grande de Boya, Dominican Republic native hit a single, a doubled, and two home runs with his Torpedo bat.

Reds manager Terry Francona downplayed De La Cruz’s bat as the reason for his remarkable game.

“I think it’s more the player than the bat,” Francona told reporters. “Our guys are going to order what they’re comfortable with. Bats are really personal. Whatever guys want to use, as long as they’re MLB approved, I don’t care. We can’t be whipping out the Wonderboy.

As you might expect, a growing number of MLB players are buying into the success – and buying – Torpedo bats.

As for that gift vs. gimmick thing, it’s hard to argue with success.

Play Ball!

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