Miami, Florida — As Major League Baseball kicks off the 2025 season, the rise of the torpedo bat has captured the attention of players and fans alike. Stars like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have been approached about the trend, but both expressed contentment with their current bat choices. Ohtani, after hitting a walk-off home run in April, told reporters he remains satisfied with the bat he has used effectively. Judge, reflecting on the Yankees’ recent record of nine home runs in a single game—three of which came from him—echoed similar sentiments, questioning the need to change a winning formula.
Interestingly, both players utilize bats from Chandler Bats, a brand associated with former MLB player Yoenis Céspedes. Known for his prowess as a two-time Home Run Derby champion, Céspedes has transitioned from player to entrepreneur since defecting from Cuba. In a recent interview, he emphasized the significance of his ventures in the bat industry, reflecting on his past focus solely on winning games.
Chandler Bats may not carry the same recognition as major brands such as Victus and Louisville Slugger, but it is gaining traction among professional athletes. CEO Ben Chase stated that over 60% of Chandler’s business comes from professional players, highlighting the brand’s commitment to customization, catering specifically to the unique preferences of athletes regarding knob sizes, weights, and cup depths.
As of opening day, Chandler Bats held a 10.4% market share in the MLB bat industry, placing it fourth behind Victus, Marucci, and Louisville Slugger. This achievement is noteworthy, particularly considering the company’s tumultuous past. “Chandler went under, and we had to rebuild everything from scratch,” Chase noted, underscoring the challenges that made their comeback so significant.
Founded in 2009 in Norriton, Pennsylvania, Chandler faced a major setback when its parent company declared bankruptcy in 2019. Since then, Céspedes has invested heavily to rejuvenate the brand, ultimately leading to the acquisition of Emery Glove Co. in late 2021. This expansion has allowed Chandler to reduce its order fulfillment time significantly, going from several weeks to as little as 30 days for custom orders.
The brand’s consumer business has seen remarkable growth, increasing five-fold since 2021 and bolstered by a surge in sales during April this year. Chase mentioned an impressive surge of over 100% in sales compared to the previous year, thanks to the torpedo bat craze, although he did not disclose specific revenue figures.
Céspedes notes that one of his greatest joys comes from testing new products and collaborating with his team on custom models, ensuring their output maintains the highest quality. Judge’s long-standing relationship with Chandler has included the creation of two bat models—the AJ99 and AJ99.2—which retail for $239 each on the company’s website.
Ohtani, too, has given Chandler bats a chance since testing custom models during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. His performance has soared, contributing to his consecutive MVP awards while utilizing Chandler equipment. However, there is currently no Ohtani-specific bat available.
Traditionally, equipment manufacturers compensate MLB players for wearing their gear, but bat deals stand apart, as players typically do not receive payment for swinging specific bats. Chuck Schupp, a representative for Chandler, explained that the unique nature of bats—being highly customizable—creates a different dynamic based on player comfort and trust.
This blend of innovation and tradition continues to shape the landscape of baseball as players like Ohtani and Judge find success with equipment that meets their needs on the field.
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