Yankees' J.C. Escarra Embraces Torpedo Bat for Offensive Boost

Catcher looks to build on encouraging spring training performance with new bat model.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:49am

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Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra has been using a heavier "torpedo" bat model this spring, specifically designed to fit his swing, and the results have been promising. Escarra, who struggled offensively in limited playing time last season, has seen an uptick in his exit velocity and power numbers while using the specialized bat. The Yankees' analytics department helped Escarra adopt the new bat, and he is committed to "living and dying" by it this season as he looks to secure a bigger role on the team.

Why it matters

Escarra is competing for playing time behind the plate, and his ability to provide offensive production could be a key factor in determining his role on the team. The Yankees are high on Escarra's defensive abilities, but he needs to prove he can contribute more at the plate to solidify his spot on the roster.

The details

Escarra first experimented with a torpedo bat last season but did not see immediate results, so he went back to his regular bat. This spring, with help from the Yankees' analytics department, Escarra has been using a heavier Aaron Judge model that has been converted into a torpedo bat specifically designed for his swing. The results have been encouraging, with Escarra hitting the ball harder and further, including a 438-foot home run in a recent spring training game. His average exit velocity this spring is up nearly 4 mph compared to his rookie season.

  • On March 17, 2026, Escarra hit a 438-foot home run off Rays starter Ryan Pepiot.
  • On February 27, 2026, Escarra hit a home run with an exit velocity of 109.6 mph, the highest of his spring training so far.

The players

J.C. Escarra

A Yankees catcher who is looking to secure a bigger role on the team this season after struggling offensively in limited playing time last year.

Aaron Boone

The Yankees' manager, who believes Escarra is a "top-half-of-the-league catcher" who just needs more of an opportunity.

Zac Fieroh

The Yankees' manager of analytics and implementation in quantitative analysis, who has worked with Escarra on the specialized torpedo bat.

Austin Wells

The Yankees' starting catcher, with Escarra likely to serve as the traditional backup.

Ben Rice

A former Yankees catcher who took on more playing time last season as Escarra was relegated to Triple-A.

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What they’re saying

“I think it has to be the torpedo bats. My boy Zac [Fieroh, the club's manager of analytics and implementation in quantitative analysis] in the analytic hitting department, he's doing a great job with my bats. I bought into the torpedo bats and maybe it's that. Maybe it's not, but I like to think so.”

— J.C. Escarra, Yankees Catcher

“J.C. is a really good player — I tell him this, too — he just hasn't gotten a chance yet. There's no doubt in my mind that he's a top-half-of-the-league catcher. … He can play, man.”

— Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager

What’s next

The Yankees will continue to monitor Escarra's performance this spring as they determine his role for the upcoming season. If he can maintain his improved offensive production with the torpedo bat, he could earn more playing time behind the plate.

The takeaway

Escarra's embrace of the specialized torpedo bat is an example of how teams are using analytics and player-specific equipment to try to unlock offensive potential. If the results continue, it could give Escarra the boost he needs to solidify his spot on the Yankees' roster and contribute more at the plate.