After a frustrating opening series against the San Francisco Giants, the Cincinnati Reds’ offense broke out in a major way Monday night.In their first three games of the season, the Reds scored no more than four runs in any individual game. Against the Texas Rangers, Cincinnati erupted for a 14-3 lead, thanks largely to the efforts of star shortstop Elly De La Cruz.Logging one hit in each game of the three-game series against San Francisco, De La Cruz announced himself to the 2025 season in the series opener against Texas, going 4-for-5 with two home runs—his first two of the year—and recording seven RBI, finishing a triple shy of the cycle.Following the game, De La Cruz was asked if a new tool helped him with his stellar game, one that has been the talk of baseball over the season’s first weekend.For the first time in a game, De La Cruz used what has been called a “torpedo bat,” which is an otherwise traditional baseball bat that tailors the barrel for each hitter.It’s all about locating a hitter’s so-called “sweet spot,” and moves more wood to that area.The New York Yankees garnered attention for the bats during their weekend sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, thanks in part to a 20-9 win which saw the Bronx Bombers slug nine home runs against Brewers pitching.When asked after the game, De La Cruz says he wanted to use one not because of the Yankees’ success, but to see how it compared to a “normal” bat.”I just want to feel how it feels like,” he said. When asked in a follow up question about if he planned on using one again, he burst into laughter.”More in control, more mature,” he continued on how it felt using the bat that’s the talk of the baseball world. “I feel like I’m more in control, on defense and offense.”De La Cruz also said he hadn’t used the bat prior to taking batting practice before the game.”I think it’s more the player than the bat,” manager Terry Francona said, insisting the bat has nothing to do with adding talent to an already All-Star-caliber player. “I meant that before the game and I still do.”What 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,” the Reds skipper continued.

CINCINNATI —

After a frustrating opening series against the San Francisco Giants, the Cincinnati Reds’ offense broke out in a major way Monday night.

In their first three games of the season, the Reds scored no more than four runs in any individual game. Against the Texas Rangers, Cincinnati erupted for a 14-3 lead, thanks largely to the efforts of star shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

Logging one hit in each game of the three-game series against San Francisco, De La Cruz announced himself to the 2025 season in the series opener against Texas, going 4-for-5 with two home runs—his first two of the year—and recording seven RBI, finishing a triple shy of the cycle.

Following the game, De La Cruz was asked if a new tool helped him with his stellar game, one that has been the talk of baseball over the season’s first weekend.

For the first time in a game, De La Cruz used what has been called a “torpedo bat,” which is an otherwise traditional baseball bat that tailors the barrel for each hitter.

It’s all about locating a hitter’s so-called “sweet spot,” and moves more wood to that area.

The New York Yankees garnered attention for the bats during their weekend sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, thanks in part to a 20-9 win which saw the Bronx Bombers slug nine home runs against Brewers pitching.

When asked after the game, De La Cruz says he wanted to use one not because of the Yankees’ success, but to see how it compared to a “normal” bat.

“I just want to feel how it feels like,” he said. When asked in a follow up question about if he planned on using one again, he burst into laughter.

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Elly De La Cruz & Terry Francona on a 4-5, 2 HR, 7 RBI performance after changing to the torpedo bat pregame:

“Are you going to use it again?”

Plus: Elly on why his early improvement in 2025. pic.twitter.com/AqOuAKGbe0

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) April 1, 2025

“More in control, more mature,” he continued on how it felt using the bat that’s the talk of the baseball world. “I feel like I’m more in control, on defense and offense.”

De La Cruz also said he hadn’t used the bat prior to taking batting practice before the game.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

“I think it’s more the player than the bat,” manager Terry Francona said, insisting the bat has nothing to do with adding talent to an already All-Star-caliber player. “I meant that before the game and I still do.

“What 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,” the Reds skipper continued.