Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton mentioned that he plans to keep using a torpedo bat upon his return from elbow pain. However, he did not confirm whether he believed the new model of bat contributed to his injury.
Stanton started using these unique bats last season, which have more wood lower down the barrel near the label, resembling a bowling pin. During spring training, he hinted that the use of the different bats might have caused pain, suggesting “probably some bat adjustments” to reporters. However, he later mentioned not being sure why his injury occurred.
“You’re not going to get the story you’re looking for,” Stanton stated before New York’s series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. “So if that’s what you guys want, that ain’t going to happen.”
The torpedo bats gained attention after several players from different teams, including the Yankees, used them to hit a significant number of home runs in the season-opening series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
These bats were developed by Aaron Leonhardt, a former Yankees front-office staffer and MIT physicist who now works for the Miami Marlins. He mentioned that the concept of these bats dates back to 2023 but credited the success to the players’ skill in using them.
[RELATED: The secret behind the Yankees’ newfound power? Torpedo bats]
“It makes a lot of sense,” Stanton commented. “But it’s like, why hasn’t anyone thought of it in 100-plus years? It’s explained simply and then you try it and as long as it’s comfortable in your hand.”
Stanton is still recovering from pain and has begun hitting with a Trajekt machine to simulate high-velocity pitching. His rehabilitation is in its early stages, and he expects to go through a minor league rehab assignment after missing all of spring training.
“This is very unique,” Stanton acknowledged. “I definitely haven’t missed a full spring before. It will just depend on timing, really.”
During the 2024 postseason, Stanton played a crucial role in helping the Yankees reach the World Series, hitting .273 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs. His offseason was marked by elbow pain that led to platelet-rich plasma injections and limited swinging of the bat.
Are the Yankees’ ‘torpedo bats’ good for the MLB? | The Herd
In his last season, Stanton hit .233 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs in 114 regular-season games. His career has seen multiple injuries, including strains in different parts of his body, leading to missed games.
After signing a record contract with the Marlins in 2015, Stanton moved to the Yankees and has had varying success due to ongoing health issues. Despite his challenges, Stanton remains a key player for the Yankees and continues to work towards his return to the field.
[i] Reporting by The Associated Press.
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