Chicago Cubs’ Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner Are Using Torpedo Bats — And Seeing Results
In the world of Major League Baseball (MLB), technological advancements in equipment have always sparked debate and interest. Now, two of the Chicago Cubs’ brightest stars, Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner, are experimenting with the torpedo bat, a revolutionary new piece of equipment designed to boost bat speed, power, and precision. Early returns suggest that these bats are having a noticeable impact on their performance, raising the question: Could this new technology change the course of their seasons, and perhaps the trajectory of the MLB?
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In this article, we’ll dive into the torpedo bat’s features, how Swanson and Hoerner are using it to elevate their games, and the potential long-term impact on the Cubs’ lineup.
What is a Torpedo Bat?
Before we delve into the specifics of how Swanson and Hoerner are benefiting from the torpedo bat, let’s first explore the technology behind this new innovation.
The torpedo bat is designed with a streamlined, tapered barrel that mimics the shape of a torpedo, reducing drag and increasing bat speed. Its key features include:
- A tapered barrel: This creates a sleek, aerodynamic profile that minimizes air resistance during the swing, allowing for faster bat speed and more power on contact.
- Rotational handle technology: This feature helps hitters achieve better control over the bat’s movement, improving swing mechanics and enhancing consistency.
- Lightweight, durable materials: The bat is constructed with high-performance alloys or composites, ensuring it’s both sturdy and easy to handle.
- Expanded sweet spot: This offers more forgiveness on off-center hits, meaning hitters don’t need to make perfect contact to get a solid result.
The result is a bat that increases bat speed, maximizes exit velocity, and boosts overall hitting performance.
Swanson and Hoerner: Adapting to the New Technology
Both Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner have been known for their defensive prowess, but they’ve also been steadily improving their offensive output. With the addition of the torpedo bat, both players have taken their hitting to another level. Here’s a closer look at how these two Cubs are making the most of their new equipment.
Dansby Swanson’s Offensive Surge
Since joining the Chicago Cubs in 2023, Swanson has been a key player on both sides of the ball. Known for his elite defense, Swanson has always shown flashes of offensive brilliance, but he struggled at times with consistency at the plate. Enter the torpedo bat.
The bat’s design has worked wonders for Swanson’s swing mechanics. In particular, the rotational handle has helped him make more consistent contact while allowing for faster bat speed. This increase in bat speed has translated into stronger contact and higher exit velocity—key factors that contribute to more power and longer fly balls.
By mid-2025, Swanson’s power numbers were up significantly, with an increase in home runs and slugging percentage compared to the previous seasons. The tapered barrel has allowed him to generate more power from his swing without losing control. This has been evident in his ability to consistently drive the ball to all fields, with greater distance on line drives and fly balls.
Swanson’s improved slugging percentage is a testament to how the bat’s design has unlocked his potential. Rather than struggling to muscle the ball, he’s using the bat’s technology to get the most out of his natural abilities.
Nico Hoerner’s Increased Consistency and Power
While Nico Hoerner was always known for his excellent contact hitting and speed, he had trouble translating that skill into raw power. Like Swanson, Hoerner has never been a traditional power hitter, but with the addition of the torpedo bat, his game has taken a significant leap forward.
The lightweight nature of the torpedo bat allows Hoerner to maintain his quick hands and excellent hand-eye coordination, while also improving his ability to drive the ball harder. The expanded sweet spot has given Hoerner more leeway to make solid contact even on off-center hits, which was once a weakness in his swing.
In 2025, Hoerner’s extra-base hit totals have spiked, particularly in terms of doubles and triples. His ability to hit the ball with more authority, especially in the gaps, has made him a more complete offensive player. Hoerner is now more than just a contact hitter—he’s evolving into a well-rounded offensive weapon, capable of producing both speed and power.
One of the notable improvements in Hoerner’s performance is his slugging percentage. In previous seasons, his power numbers were solid but not elite. With the torpedo bat, he’s seeing a noticeable increase in his ability to drive the ball into the gaps and over the fence.
The Cubs’ Lineup: The Impact of the Torpedo Bat
While Swanson and Hoerner are certainly the most high-profile users of the torpedo bat on the Cubs, they are not alone. The success of these two players with this technology could signal a broader trend for the Cubs as a team.
Cubs’ Manager David Ross has praised the bat for helping his players generate more bat speed and power while maintaining control and precision. With the combination of improved offense from players like Swanson and Hoerner, the Cubs’ lineup has become more dynamic and dangerous. The added offensive production has helped the Cubs rise in the standings, competing for a playoff berth in the highly competitive NL Central.
Swanson and Hoerner are providing the Cubs with a perfect mix of contact hitting and power, which could give the team a more well-rounded offensive approach. This balance will be crucial as the Cubs look to build a lineup that can handle the power-heavy pitching rotations of the NL Central.
Performance Metrics: How the Torpedo Bat is Changing the Numbers
The impact of the torpedo bat on Swanson and Hoerner’s individual performances can be seen in the advanced stats that MLB teams use to evaluate hitters.
- Exit Velocity: Both players have seen an increase in exit velocity, which measures the speed of the ball coming off the bat. This statistic is often a predictor of hard-hit balls and power output. Since switching to the torpedo bat, both Swanson and Hoerner have registered career-high exit velocities.
- Launch Angle: The torpedo bat’s design allows hitters to consistently maintain a more optimal launch angle, which has led to more fly balls with the potential for home runs. For Swanson, the combination of a higher launch angle and more bat speed has led to an increase in home run production.
- Barrel Rate: The barrel rate is a key metric used to assess how often a hitter is making contact with the “sweet spot” of the bat. With the expanded sweet spot of the torpedo bat, both Swanson and Hoerner are finding the barrel more often, leading to better-quality contact.
- ISO (Isolated Power): This metric, which measures a hitter’s raw power by isolating extra-base hits, has shown a marked increase for both Swanson and Hoerner since adopting the torpedo bat. For Hoerner, this represents a major leap forward in his development as a power hitter.
The Cubs’ Future: Can the Torpedo Bat Help Take Them to the Next Level?
As Swanson and Hoerner continue to see success with the torpedo bat, the bigger question is whether the Cubs can use this new technology to elevate their lineup and become more competitive in the postseason. The increase in power and bat speed for both players could make a significant difference in key games during the stretch run toward the playoffs.
Additionally, as more MLB players look for ways to optimize their swings, it’s possible that other teams may begin adopting the torpedo bat as well. If this happens, it could spark a revolution in the way players approach hitting and even lead to changes in how the league evaluates equipment standards.
For now, the Cubs are reaping the benefits of the torpedo bat, with Swanson and Hoerner playing key roles in their offensive success. If this trend continues, the Cubs could find themselves with a more potent lineup—one capable of competing with the best in the NL.
Conclusion: The Cubs Are Hitting It Big With the Torpedo Bat
The torpedo bat has proven to be more than just a novelty for Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner. As both players continue to improve their offensive numbers, the innovative design of the bat is emerging as a game-changer. With Swanson’s power and Hoerner’s consistency on the rise, the Cubs have a new edge at the plate, which could make all the difference in the pursuit of October baseball.
Whether or not the torpedo bat will become a staple across MLB remains to be seen, but for now, it’s helping elevate the Chicago Cubs and their stars to new heights. For Cubs fans, it’s an exciting glimpse of a future where innovation
