It didn’t take long for MLB’s latest controversy to upstage the start of the 2025 season after the New York Yankees launched 15 home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers in an eyebrow-raising three-game series in the Bronx. While the jaw-dropping home run total would usually be a story unto itself, it was the controversially redesigned torpedo bats used by a handful (not all) of Yankees sluggers during the offensive outburst that has caught the attention of the entire baseball universe over the last few days.

And rightfully so. The redesigned bats initially raised suspicion over the barrel size appearing thicker and being located closer to the hands of hitters when compared to a standard model. Many of the torpedo bats were custom-designed for hitters based on analytics and other relevant collected data.

While they are certainly a strange sight when compared to standard bat models, the torpedo bats are considered legal, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. They follow all other specifications outlined according to MLB’s rulebook, despite the barrel’s increased proportions and proximity to the hitters hands.

That being said, before Philadelphia Phillies fans begin to cry foul over the controversial bats spoiling the purity of baseball, it should be mentioned that Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm is already using a model this season. It was also recently reported that a handful of teammates will soon be joining him, with Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh all awaiting delivery of the controversial new bat, per Ben Silver of The Good Phight.

Stott shared his feelings about the new bat design when speaking to the media following the Phillies home opener on Monday.

But not all Phillies players are happy about the new bats gaining popularity league wide. According to one outspoken Phillies relief pitcher, MLB hitters are gaining another major advantage while pitchers around the league continue to face scrutiny surrounding the use of foreign substances.

Phillies’ Matt Strahm eviscerates the state of MLB with torpedo bat take

Left-handed relief pitcher Matt Strahm is no stranger to speaking his mind about the disadvantages pitchers face on the mound. Strahm has previously let his feelings be known about MLB hitters being allowed to use virtual pitching machines in-between innings that are programmed to mimic an opposing pitcher’s pitch mix and delivery. It should also come as little surprise that Strahm is no fan of torpedo bats this season either, as the 2024 NL All-Star once again aired some grievances when speaking with reporter Anthony SanFilippo from On Pattison.

“If pitchers mattered in this game, maybe I’d have (an opinion),” said Matt Strahm, per SanFilippo. “But we get checked like criminals every time we walk off the mound, so I don’t think our opinion matters anymore. I think they made that very clear. It’s all about offense. So, yeah, let’s make more offense.”

Strahm later commented further on the topic via a social media post on X.

Strahm’s claim of an unfair double standard taking place in the game is not unwarranted. Pitchers are thoroughly examined by umpires at the end of every inning, as the league continues to crackdown on grip enhancing substances after a number of pitchers were caught using glue and other sticky items to manipulate spin rates and aid control on game-used baseballs.

That being said, doctoring the baseball is not a new concept. Some critics may dismiss Strahm’s comments as whiny. The truth of the matter is that the veteran southpaw isn’t wrong about hitters in the post-defensive shift era being given a plethora of advantages to successfully generate more offense at the expense of MLB pitchers.