Torpedo bats have taken the baseball world by storm — and some MLB pitchers are not happy about it.
Phillies reliever Matt Strahm opened up about his disdain for the new bats through a post on X this week, arguing that pitchers should have a competitive advantage to counter them.
“Let them use whatever bat they want. Let’s just allow pitchers to use whatever hitters have in the on deck circle,” Strahm posted on X. “And not check us like we are criminals every time we walk on or off the field. I’m just a pitcher but I’m assuming better grip helps ya swing harder…”
“Not sticky cause some of that stuff was a bit much,” the southpaw added. “Just whatever a hitter can use to grip a bat better we can use too.”
MLB cracked down on foreign substances during the 2021 season as it was deemed that the increased spin rates created an unfair advantage for pitchers.
Following the rule change, umpires now check pitchers for substances before entering the game and in between innings.
Several MLB pitchers have been ejected from failing the examinations, which leads to a 10-game suspension.
Strahm’s comments come just days after Brewers reliever Trevor Megill voiced his concerns behind the torpedo bats.
“I think it’s terrible,” Brewers relief ace Megill told The Post regarding the bats. “We’ll see what the data says. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I feel like it’s something used in slow-pitch softball. It’s genius: Put the mass all in one spot. It might be bush [league]. It might not be. But it’s the Yankees, so they’ll let it slide.”
The torpedo bats rose to prominence following the Yankees’ offensive eruption during the opening series last weekend that saw them hit a franchise-best nine home runs against the Brewers in Saturday’s game.
Bombers Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Cody Bellinger are all among the players using the bats, which are within the parameters stated in the MLB rule book.
