The Viral ‘Torpedo’ Baseball Bat: How a New Design Sparked a Surge in Demand

A 70-year-old senior league player recently walked into Victus Sports in Pennsylvania to pick up some bats for the new season. What he didn’t expect was to be captivated by baseball’s latest sensation—the torpedo bat. Designed with a distinctive shape, this bat has taken the baseball world by storm, and even seasoned players like Ed Costantini couldn’t resist giving it a try.

Costantini, who had been skeptical of the bat’s hype, tested the torpedo-style VOLPE11-TPD Pro Reserve Maple inside Victus’ batting cage. After dozens of swings, he was convinced. The bat’s balance and the crisp sound of the ball off the barrel were undeniable. He immediately placed an order for four custom torpedo bats at $150 each. “The swings were hitting the thickness of the torpedo, rather than the end of the bat,” Costantini explained, illustrating why the design has captured the attention of so many.

The torpedo bat’s unique design—where the wood is shifted lower down the barrel, resembling a bowling pin—has drawn players from all levels, not just the pros. While the bat may seem like a novelty, its impact has been undeniable. After Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger’s back-to-back home runs for the Yankees last weekend, Victus saw their phones light up with orders from both big leaguers and recreational players eager to get their hands on one.

“It was the most talked-about thing about bats that we’ve ever experienced,” said Jared Smith, Victus co-founder. The bat, which had been mostly under the radar, exploded into popularity after the Yankees’ home-run spree, stoking curiosity and prompting even more players to inquire about the new design.

Victus, a company that has steadily grown over the past 14 years, was already established as a key player in the baseball bat industry. Their sleek, high-quality designs and custom-made bats, often seen in the hands of stars like Bryce Harper, had already earned them a loyal following. However, it wasn’t until the torpedo bat entered the spotlight that business really began to boom.

Before the Yankees’ game, Victus had produced only a handful of torpedo bats, initially created for the Yankees during spring training in 2024. Now, the company is turning out hundreds each week as demand skyrockets. “Every two minutes, another one comes out of the machine,” Smith shared, reflecting on how quickly production has ramped up.

Though it may seem like the torpedo bat is a brand-new concept, it’s actually been in use for a year or two, with players like Giancarlo Stanton and Francisco Lindor experimenting with it behind the scenes. However, the design didn’t catch fire until recently. Aaron Leanhardt, a former Yankees front-office staffer, is credited with developing the torpedo barrel, which brings more mass to a bat’s sweet spot, providing a unique feel and performance boost for hitters.

Despite its somewhat unconventional shape, the torpedo bat complies with Major League Baseball’s rules and costs about the same as a standard bat—around $200. The bat’s newfound fame has turned it into the most-talked-about piece of equipment in the sport.

The bat’s popularity isn’t just limited to Major League Baseball. Players from all levels, from All-Stars to recreational league players, are eager to try it out. In just a few days, Victus has seen orders flooding in, with players like Alec Bohm of the Phillies even using it in a game. However, not everyone is convinced the bat is the game-changer it’s made out to be.

Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ slugger who set the AL record for home runs in 2022, isn’t eager to try something new. “Why try to change something?” he said, sticking to his familiar bat. Trea Turner of the Phillies also downplayed the hype, though he admitted he’d be open to trying the torpedo himself.

On the flip side, pitchers like Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks are taking note of the bat’s simple yet revolutionary design. “For it to take this long is wild,” Gallen remarked, acknowledging the bat’s potential.

Victus’ journey began in 2012 when Smith and co-founder Ryan Engroff started crafting bats in a garage in Blackwood, New Jersey. Their company quickly became known for its unique, artistic bat designs, such as the crayon-colored bats used in the Little League Classic. Now, with the torpedo bat taking the baseball world by storm, Victus is more popular than ever.

“We’ve outgrown our space,” Smith said, reflecting on how the company has expanded. Victus now employs over 300 people, and with the viral success of the torpedo bat, they’re gearing up for even more growth. Their goal? To educate the public about this new, exciting design and to continue providing top-quality equipment to players at every level.

As the torpedo bat continues to make waves in the baseball world, there’s no doubt it’s here to stay. Whether it becomes the next big trend or remains a niche innovation, one thing is certain: Victus has struck gold with this viral sensation.

Source: AP News – Demand for viral ‘torpedo’ baseball bats has sent a Pennsylvania factory into overdrive