Jeff McNeil unsure if NY Mets return will include a Torpedo Bat, here's why it must

New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil recently received a shipment of Torpedo Bats and has been incorporating them into his batting practice sessions as he continues to rehab from an oblique strain. This development comes on the heels of a noticeable offensive surge from the New York Yankees in the early days of the season, where several Yankee hitters have been observed utilizing the innovative bat design.

McNeil himself has acknowledged using the bats during his recovery but remains uncertain about their potential use in actual game situations. Could the Torpedo Bat be a game-changer for McNeil?

Jeff McNeil should look at one Yankees player's success with the Torpedo Bats

The Torpedo Bat represents a novel and legal evolution in bat design, strategically positioning the sweet spot lower on the barrel, closer to the hitter's hands, compared to traditional bats. The primary objective of this design is to amplify a hitter's bat speed.

By effectively redistributing the bat's mass towards the handle, the Torpedo Bat aims to create a "lightening" effect, granting hitters enhanced control and the potential for quicker swing speeds. Furthermore, this design is theorized to benefit hitters with a more direct, "square up" swing who frequently face pitches inside the strike zone. The lower sweet spot can provide a more favorable rebound effect upon contact in this region, potentially leading to higher exit velocities.

This design philosophy aligns intriguingly with McNeil's established hitting profile. According to Baseball Savant's Bat Tracking metrics, McNeil demonstrates the highest square-up swing rate among all Mets players and ranks third in square-up contact. Notably, his swing speed and square-up contact metrics closely mirror those of Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, who has been visibly utilizing the Torpedo Bat this season.

Volpe's early-season offensive output, including a reported 1.8 MPH increase in bat speed velocity and a display of newfound power, could serve as a compelling case study for McNeil. For a hitter already renowned for his high contact rates, the potential for increased exit velocity through adopting a Torpedo Bat could translate to more hard-hit balls and an overall improvement in offensive production. Observing Volpe's apparent success with the design should at least encourage McNeil to explore its potential benefits further.