Giancarlo Stanton isn’t giving up on that controversial torpedo bat—nor should he have to. The Yankees slugger made that clear Tuesday, as he plans to stick with the reshaped bat when he returns from elbow tendinitis that’s kept him sidelined at the start of the season.
There’s been some chatter that Stanton’s injury might be linked to the bat. He mentioned “some bat adjustments” last season, which sparked that speculation. But Stanton isn’t confirming any direct connection. In fact, he’s doubling down on his support for the equipment. That tells you a lot about how he feels about it—and how much he believes in himself.
Stanton’s Defense of the Torpedo Bat
When asked about those “bat adjustments,” Stanton just smiled and said he wasn’t going to give anyone the story they were looking for. That ambiguity is telling. It suggests he doesn’t think the bat was a major factor in his injury. And he’s not alone in that view.
Yankees officials have been pretty clear about the bat’s safety and health impact. They’ve even encouraged their top prospects to give it a try.
One of them, Spencer Jones, said Tuesday he plans to use the torpedo bat this season. He got it late in spring training. That tells you a lot about how the Yankees see this innovation.
The Yankees’ Offensive Explosion Fuels Interest in the Bat
The Yankees’ crazy offense in the opening series against the Brewers has only added to the questions about the torpedo bat. New York tied a major league record with 15 homers in their first three games and matched a franchise record with 13 in two games.
Aaron Boone said players aren’t forced to use the bat if they don’t feel comfortable. “To each their own,” he said. “We want to create an environment where we’re not missing any opportunity to help a player be their best or optimize a player. Ultimately, it’s up to them.”
Boone pointed out that the bat’s design aims to redistribute weight, and eliminate those “wasted spots” in the barrel where performance just isn’t happening. “You’re always looking for those marginal gains,” he said. “And that’s really what you’re doing—moving the needle a little bit where you can.”
“It’s the Artist, Not the Brush”
One Yankees official put it best: “It’s the artist, not the brush.” In other words, while the torpedo bat may help a little, it’s the player that matters most.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said the same thing over the weekend. “They will have to stand the test of time,” he said.
But the Yankees have an advantage. As Boone said, just knowing the bat exists doesn’t mean other teams can replicate the results. “There’s a lot more to it,” he said. “A lot went into it for our individual guys. It’s a lot more than the bat.”
What’s Next for Stanton?
For now he’s out with tendinitis in both elbows. No timeline for his return but he says he’s making progress. When he gets back he’ll be back with the same torpedo in his hand.
In the meantime the Yankees are crushing it and proving their lineup is loaded even without Stanton. Whether the bat is a game changer we’ll see but one thing is for sure he’s not throwing it under the bus anytime soon.