The Torpedo Bat Cold War is on fire right now and the Phillies might join the arms race as early as this week

Drew Smith
March 31, 2025
Phillies
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Phillies Torpedo Bats Incoming – The Yankees kicked off the 2025 season by nuking baseballs left and right — 15 home runs in three games, to be exact — with what can only be described as illegal-looking-but-technically-legal weaponry. Enter: the Torpedo Bat.

Crafted by former MIT physicist-turned-bat whisperer Aaron Leanhardt, these mutant bats shift the “barrel” closer to where contact actually happens. Because, shocker, not every hitter is hitting balls on the traditional sweet spot. Instead of trying to fix swings, the Yankees decided to fix the bat. That sound you just heard was Babe Ruth spinning in his grave.

But here’s where things get weird and frankly, unacceptable. Victus Sports, the company behind these bats, is headquartered in King of Prussia. That’s a couple of Wawa stops away from the Phillies and Citizens Bank Park.

So I have to ask: Did the Phillies know?

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Victus already makes bats for Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott. Harper’s been loyal to them for years. How do the Yankees — of all teams — get a head start on the most futuristic bat design since aluminum, when the company is based practically next door? Are we just handing over tech secrets like it’s post-WWII Germany?

MLB says Yankees’ new Torpedo Bats are legal and likely coming to a dugout near you but are we sure this is what we want?

Trevor Megill calls Yankees’ Torpedo Bat ‘bush league’ and thinks the MLB let it slide because…well, it’s the Yankees

I was firmly against the Torpedo Bat when I saw it in action. It’s weird, it’s gimmicky, and it feels like the kind of thing that should be banned by any league that still uses pine tar and unwritten rules. But now that the Phillies are apparently getting in the mix?

Well… I might just become their biggest fan.

I think we’re all in agreement that the majority of the Phillies lineup can use as much help as they can possibly get at the plate, right?

Brandon Marsh: Love the hair, but the bat’s been missing. A torpedo might be just what he needs to finally stop waving at sliders like he’s in a dunk tank.
Johan Rojas: Incredible glove. But his bat has been legally classified as a broomstick at times. If a re-engineered barrel can save him, I’m all in.
Bryson Stott: He already finds ways to grind out two-strike hits, but if he’s making solid contact earlier in counts? Look out.
Edmundo Sosa, Rafael Marchan, Everyone Not Named Bryce Harper… name anyone who’s not in the Top 3 of this order and ask yourself: Could a Torpedo Bat help? Yes. All of them. Especially if they’re going to keep facing elite pitching while the bottom third of the lineup goes radio silent.

I still don’t love that it took the Yankees to unveil this weapon first, but if it gets us a few more barrels, a few fewer popups, and maybe — just maybe — stops the Phillies from leaving runners stranded like it’s a team tradition… then fine. Strap on the fins and let’s go to war.

This is a bat race now and as long as the Phillies are in it, I’m waving the flag — even if it’s made of torpedo wood.