Reds' De La Cruz has 2-HR, 7-RBI game with torpedo bat
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.
(Video source: MLB.com)
"It feels good," De La Cruz said of hitting with a torpedo bat, according to Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. "It feels really good."
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.
Switching to the torpedo bat seemed to spark De La Cruz, who entered Monday's game with just an extra-base hit on the season.
"It’s more the player than the bat," Reds manager Terry Francona said of his young star's performance, per Clifford.
He added: "I told him the most impressive thing was the line drive to left field - you better make some pretty good pitches if he is on balance like that."
De La Cruz, 23, entered the season as a potential MVP candidate in the National League after hitting 25 home runs and stealing an MLB-leading 67 bases in 2024.
Cincinnati continues its series against Texas on Tuesday.