The torpedo bat might be perfect for Elly De La Cruz — but not everyone should swing it

Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz didn’t just have a breakout night on Monday — he lit up the scoreboard with two home runs, seven RBI and a stolen base. But it wasn’t just his raw athleticism on display. For the first time in a game, he swung the much-discussed "torpedo bat."

The bat, which gained attention after several Yankees used it during a nine-homer barrage against Milwaukee, features an unorthodox design with a thicker barrel taper and adjusted weight distribution. De La Cruz used it to devastating effect against Texas, launching balls at over 110 mph off the bat. After the game, he said, "It feels really good."

But that begs a more nuanced question — why does it feel good for him? And should others be rushing to make the switch?

The truth is that the torpedo bat is not built for everyone. What worked for De La Cruz — an explosive, twitchy athlete with elite bat speed and natural lift — may not translate to players with flatter swings, more contact-oriented profiles or slower hands.

De La Cruz’s swing is built for violence. He uses the lower half to generate massive torque, and his long levers whip through the zone like a coiled spring. A bat with added end weight and torque-friendly balance gives him more pop without costing him timing. That’s a rare combination.

But now, consider a player like Steven Kwan or Luis Arraez — hitters who rely on precision, barrel control and quick contact decisions. A bat like this could throw off their timing, flatten their angles or lead to more swing-and-miss, especially against high velocity.

Even among power hitters, the fit isn’t universal. For sluggers who rely on compact, leveraged movements (think Matt Olson or Jose Ramirez), a heavier or more unorthodox bat shape could disrupt their load and bat path. Hitting isn't just about generating power but repeating a swing. Anything that alters the core mechanics of that swing is a risk.

The other concern is sample size. One monster game doesn’t prove anything. Players have good nights all the time. We’re still learning whether the torpedo bat truly gives a measurable advantage — or whether it’s a short-term curiosity with limited long-term impact.

To be clear, De La Cruz should keep swinging it. His swing and physical gifts are tailor-made for experimenting with gear that amplifies his already freakish profile. But for others? Caution makes more sense than bandwagon hype.

As with all things in baseball, fit matters; the torpedo bat might be a breakthrough for a select group of players, but it’s not a magic fix for the rest. Before half the league starts chasing launch angle glory with a physics-forward piece of lumber, they’d better ask a simple question: Is this bat built for my swing — or just someone else’s highlight reel?