High school baseball players use aluminum bats during the prep season but use wood bats in some youth and high school leagues.

By now, you’ve probably heard about baseball’s greatest innovation since the curveball: MLB’s new “torpedo” bat, the reconfigured bat that moves the barrel — or the sweet spot — closer to the handle, seemingly turning even the most meager of hitters into home run machines.

MLB’s bat regulations are fairly lax. The “torpedo” bats are legal so long as they follow league Rule 3.02, which states: “The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.”

Enquirer Reds beat reporter Gordon Wittenmyer and sports reporter Pat Brennan discuss the Cincinnati Reds.

Reds star Elly De La Cruz is the latest convert, hitting two home runs and knocking in seven runs in his first game with the unique bat.

Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz has joined the wave of players using the "torpedo bats." He had a phenomenal game in his first action with his new bat.

Cincinnati Reds star shortstop Elly De La Cruz, like every baseball player and fan, has heard all about the torpedo bat. And he wanted to see for himself what all the fuss was about. So, De La Cruz, in the lead-up to the Reds' game against the Texas Rangers on Monday night, took some practice hacks with the torpedo bat.

Torpedo bats have been thrust into the national conversation following the Yankees’ three-game sweep of the Brewers last weekend to open the season, including Saturday’s 20-9 rout that doubled as a home run derby with a franchise record nine homers.

The success of the New York Yankees' torpedo bats is spreading around the MLB. One Cincinnati Reds star is taking advantage of the new bat.