Dodgers' slugger Max Muncy proves 'torpedo' bats aren't all they're cracked up to be

The famed 'torpedo' bats are all the rage in Major League Baseball these days. The New York Yankees introduced the baseball world to their alternative lumber during the team's Opening Weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers and thrashed the Beer Makers to the tune of 36-14 en route to a three-game sweep.

For those who are unfamiliar, the 'torpedo' bat moves some of the bulk of the wood from the end of the bat closer to the taper in an effort to make the barrel larger. While some have questioned the legitimacy of such a change to the equipment, MLB has ruled that these bats are perfectly legal (and popular).

Once it was revealed that many of the Yankees' hitters were using these 'torpedo' bats, suddenly every team and player throughout the major leagues wanted to give it a whirl. You can count Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy among those who wanted to use this nontraditional-shaped bat. Considering he was just 2-for-21 since the season began, it sounded like a good idea.

Dodgers' slugger Max Muncy proves 'torpedo' bats aren't all they're cracked up to be

But these bats aren't for everybody, as evidenced by Muncy's first three at-bats during Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves. Muncy grounded out to first base during his first AB of the game on a ball that came off the bat at just 87.3 mph.

LA was down 5-0 to start the game, but thanks to homers from Tommy Edman and Michael Conforto the Dodgers narrow the gap to 5-3. Muncy's second time through, however, resulted in a one-pitch at-bat with a weak fly ball out that halted a potential Dodgers' rally in the fourth inning with two runners on base. Muncy's third plate appearance resulted in a strikeout.

So you'll forgive the Dodgers' slugger if his first impression of the 'torpedo' bat was rather negative. So Muncy ditched the 'torpedo' bat before heading to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning and laced a game-tying double into the gap in right-center field. Muncy's two-bagger knotted the score at 5-5 and helped set the stage for Shohei Ohtani to walk it off in the ninth inning, leading to LA's record-breaking 8-0 start.

Safe to say, we're unlikely to see Muncy switch things up again any time soon. In other words, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

More LA Dodgers News and Rumors