What’s most troubling and challenging in terms of evaluating the bat’s impact is that a bat isn’t the only thing impacting the offensive environment; the ball is a major factor as well.

McKee, co-owner of Trinity Bat Co. in Fullerton, Calif. -- whose roster of pro clients includes Texas Rangers star Corey Seager -- was just as curious about the Yankees' so-called torpedo bats.

But while 28 clubs besides New York and Baltimore now, at the very least, have “Torpedo Bats” written on a to-do list somewhere, the Yankees and Orioles do maintain a notable advantage, even ...