The newest innovation in baseball, the bat has a seemingly inflated barrel that is thickest and heaviest where the player most frequently makes contact.

MIT physicist Aaron Leanhardt has been credited with creating the torpedo bats. Leanhardt previously served as a hitting analyst with the Yankees before he joined the Miami Marlins as a field coordinator in the offseason.

Long before his oddly shaped bat became the talk of baseball, Aaron Leanhardt played in the Boston Metro Baseball League. He wasn’t the only guy on the team to reach the big leagues.

"I think it’s an amazing discovery," said Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, one of many players suddenly interested in the new bats.

Torpedo bats drew attention over the weekend when the New York Yankees hit a team-record nine homers in one game.

Now back to the torpedo bat. It's designed so that the wider part of the bat IS the sweet spot. Since it’s wider, it's easier to hit the ball. Since that part is the sweet spot, it gives the ball a higher speed. Higher speed means the ball will travel farther. Adios pelota!

“Let them use whatever bat they want. Let’s just allow pitchers to use whatever hitters have in the on deck circle,” Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm posted on X this week. “And not check us like we are criminals every time we walk on or off the field. I’m just a pitcher but I’m assuming better grip helps ya swing harder…”

MLB Central discusses whether they are in favor or not of torpedo bats, Jose Altuve playing left field, the NL West being the best division and more