Baton Rouge-based bat maker hits home run with MLB's torpedo bat craze
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Torpedo bats have quickly become one of the hottest topics in Major League Baseball this season—and they're being made right here in Baton Rouge.
The New York Yankees made headlines after hitting nine home runs in a single game, with several of those blasts coming off torpedo bats.
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Among the players using them is Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, who swings a Victus bat — a brand owned by Marucci Sports. The sports equipment manufacturer is headquartered in Baton Rouge and is seeing soaring demand.
Kurt Ainsworth, co-founder and CEO of Marucci Sports, said that approximately 55% of MLB players use either Marucci or Victus bats. The company's torpedo model is one of the latest innovations now in the hands of major leaguers—and available to the public.
MLB stars swinging Marucci or Victus include former LSU standout Alex Bregman, as well as Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodríguez, Austin Riley, Freddie Freeman, and Trea Turner.
Last season, Giancarlo Stanton and Francisco Lindor both used torpedo bat models developed by Marucci. The company confirmed Lindor's model, the Lindy12 Torpedo Pro Exclusive, is still in use this season.
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Bregman's $120 million, 3-year deal with Red Sox includes $60 million deferred, paid from 2035-46
What makes torpedo bats different?
'The torpedo model shifts mass from the end of the bat down toward the barrel to expand the sweet spot,' Ainsworth explained.
That shift doesn't change the bat's diameter, he said, but it does increase the hittable area, giving hitters a better chance of solid contact—a strategic advantage as pitchers continue to throw harder and fielders rely more heavily on positioning data.
'For torpedo models, it's even more important to leverage player swing data to see where on the bat they most consistently make contact,' Ainsworth said.
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As of this week, Ainsworth said about half of all Marucci's MLB orders include requests to test torpedo models.
Photos shared by Marucci show close-ups of the distinctive bat alongside others in production, reflecting the company's sharp focus on innovation and customization.
A torpedo bat from Marucci Sports is seen close up with other bats in the background. (Photo courtesy of MC Huntsberry)
Multiple torpedo bats from Marucci Sports are observed together during the production process. (Photo courtesy of MC Huntsberry)
Built in Baton Rouge, used around the world
Founded in 2004, Marucci Sports operates its headquarters in Baton Rouge with additional offices in Japan, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Ainsworth said the company can produce over 1,000 bats per day, with custom bats turned around in seven to ten days on average.
'Our team is always looking to innovate to help hitters adapt to the evolving game,' Ainsworth said.
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