Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is the latest player to produce impressive results with a torpedo bat.
The dynamic star went 4-for-5 with two home runs and seven RBIs in the Reds’ 14-3 rout of the Texas Rangers on Monday night.
The new style of bat, named for the torpedo-esque shape, is thickest near the label rather than the barrel. The bats first came to the baseball world’s attention during the New York Yankees’ home run barrage against the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend.
MLB declared the torpedo bats legal despite skepticism and concern. Some players have criticized them, while others, such as Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., have defended them.