- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 462,856
- Reaction score
- 44
CLEVELAND — For anyone in a certain profession, it's almost possible to not display at least some curiosity when new tools of the trade emerge as intriguing new options, even if in the end they stick to their more traditional options.
For Major League Baseball, that discussion has revolved around what are known as torpedo bats. In essence, these are bats engineered in a slightly different way, with the goal being to move more wood to the spot on the barrel where contact is made the most. The idea is that when you make contact on the right spot, it'll lead to a harder-hit ball, though it also means missing that spot could have the opposite effect.
A few Yankees hitters — including Jazz Chisolm Jr. and Anthony Volpe, among others — began using torpedo bats and within a few games of each other had mashed several home runs. The Yankees jumped all over opposing pitchers, and it quickly became MLB's No. 1 talking point.
Torpedo bats aren't necessarily a new concept, but the success in New York over a few days sparked more discussion about them. But are hitters actually implementing them?
Some in the league have joked about ordering a few. Others are a little more serious about it. Plenty of hitters have exercised some curiosity.
"I'm still trying to learn as much as I can about it," said Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan. "It's been around for a while, so it's not this new phenomenon. It's just blowing up because the Yankees used it and they scored a million runs that one weekend. But it's definitely interesting to think about the science."
Guardians hitters haven't yet dove into the fad. For now, they're all using their respective bats without the torpedo style.
"I took a couple swings in the cage, but to me I don't see any big difference," said third baseman Jose Ramirez through a team translator. "I know there are some players who are having success and others who are not, but to be honest I don't have a clear opinion on the bats."
Part of the cautiousness to switch bat types so quickly is that while the Yankees hitters drew plenty of attention for them, it was in reality only a few games of a sample size — not to mention, some of those home runs were helped by the Yankees' short right field porch. There's also the aspect that some hitters are reluctant to make a switch during the season.
"I think they kind of want to see what the guys are doing, who's using them, because obviously it's only been a week," said Guardians center fielder Lane Thomas. "You could use a tennis racket for a week and have success if you placed it right."
But there is some intrigue. Many hitters are keeping tabs on things and experimenting in the background.
"I don't really have an opinion yet. I just feel like you need a little more of a sample size," Thomas said. "Not scared to try it — I might swing it in the cage, see how it feels. It's a curiosity. It's interesting."
It's possible a torpedo bat could be coming to a Progressive Field batter's box near you soon. It's also possible that, if the Yankees hitters and others using torpedo bats fade, the enthusiasm for others to make the switch could fade with them.
The Guardians haven't made the leap — yet.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians stars Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan discuss torpedo bats
Continue reading...
For Major League Baseball, that discussion has revolved around what are known as torpedo bats. In essence, these are bats engineered in a slightly different way, with the goal being to move more wood to the spot on the barrel where contact is made the most. The idea is that when you make contact on the right spot, it'll lead to a harder-hit ball, though it also means missing that spot could have the opposite effect.
A few Yankees hitters — including Jazz Chisolm Jr. and Anthony Volpe, among others — began using torpedo bats and within a few games of each other had mashed several home runs. The Yankees jumped all over opposing pitchers, and it quickly became MLB's No. 1 talking point.
Torpedo bats aren't necessarily a new concept, but the success in New York over a few days sparked more discussion about them. But are hitters actually implementing them?
Some in the league have joked about ordering a few. Others are a little more serious about it. Plenty of hitters have exercised some curiosity.
"I'm still trying to learn as much as I can about it," said Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan. "It's been around for a while, so it's not this new phenomenon. It's just blowing up because the Yankees used it and they scored a million runs that one weekend. But it's definitely interesting to think about the science."
You must be registered for see images attach
Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan express curiosity with 'torpedo bats' used by Yankees
Guardians hitters haven't yet dove into the fad. For now, they're all using their respective bats without the torpedo style.
"I took a couple swings in the cage, but to me I don't see any big difference," said third baseman Jose Ramirez through a team translator. "I know there are some players who are having success and others who are not, but to be honest I don't have a clear opinion on the bats."
Part of the cautiousness to switch bat types so quickly is that while the Yankees hitters drew plenty of attention for them, it was in reality only a few games of a sample size — not to mention, some of those home runs were helped by the Yankees' short right field porch. There's also the aspect that some hitters are reluctant to make a switch during the season.
"I think they kind of want to see what the guys are doing, who's using them, because obviously it's only been a week," said Guardians center fielder Lane Thomas. "You could use a tennis racket for a week and have success if you placed it right."
You must be registered for see images attach
But there is some intrigue. Many hitters are keeping tabs on things and experimenting in the background.
"I don't really have an opinion yet. I just feel like you need a little more of a sample size," Thomas said. "Not scared to try it — I might swing it in the cage, see how it feels. It's a curiosity. It's interesting."
It's possible a torpedo bat could be coming to a Progressive Field batter's box near you soon. It's also possible that, if the Yankees hitters and others using torpedo bats fade, the enthusiasm for others to make the switch could fade with them.
The Guardians haven't made the leap — yet.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians stars Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan discuss torpedo bats
Continue reading...
