TAMPA, Fla. -- South Carolina has plenty of familiarity with the other teams in the Final Four -- the Gamecocks lost to all of them this season.

That has provided an even higher level of motivation as they attempt to repeat as national champions. South Carolina faces Texas on Friday for a fourth time this season. The Gamecocks already avenged their regular-season loss to Texas with a win in the SEC tournament championship game.

But on the other side of the bracket, South Carolina lost to UCLA and UConn in the regular season. South Carolina heads into the Final Four at 34-3, its most regular-season losses since 2020-21, when it had five.

"I think that motivates us to want to play better," MiLaysia Fulwiley said Thursday during media availability. "We didn't have our great games versus them, and the teams that we played had outstanding games. They couldn't miss. So it makes me hope and pray and feel like the roles are going to be reversed. We're going to be the ones not able to miss, and we're going to be the ones that lock in and play the better basketball.

"We just have to go out there and show that our best basketball has yet to come. So it motivates me because we owe them one."

Indeed, South Carolina enters the Final Four not playing its best basketball. The Gamecocks needed to rally to win their past three NCAA tournament games after playing inconsistently for large stretches in wins over Indiana, Maryland and Duke.

It was a stark contrast to how well South Carolina had played after the UConn loss in February, which ended its 71-game home winning streak. After that loss, South Carolina won its eight games by double digits and did not have to sweat it out in the fourth quarter.

Indiana had a lead at halftime in its second-round game, while Maryland and Duke had leads in the fourth quarter. Forward Chloe Kitts said the focus during the past few days of practice was playing with confidence.

"We know what we can do. We've done it before. We talked about individually, everybody needs to be confident. We're here for a reason. We play at South Carolina for a reason. We're at the Final Four for a reason. So we just need to believe in ourselves and believe in our team."

UCLA handed South Carolina its first loss of the season back in November, ending a 43-game winning streak. At the time, players said they were still learning how to play with each other after changes to their lineup. UCLA ended up with the No. 1 overall seed in part because of its head-to-head win over South Carolina in November. South Carolina lost to Texas in February in large part because it got into foul trouble, coach Dawn Staley said Thursday. But the Gamecocks also beat the Longhorns twice, and Staley said, "We're not going to stray too far left or right from the things that we've done that were positive that would help us."

The UConn loss was especially shocking because it came at home, and the 29-point loss was South Carolina's largest margin of defeat since 2008. South Carolina already has a rematch with Texas, and would get another no matter who wins between UConn and UCLA.

"This is our only opportunity to show the world that we just had an off game," Fulwiley said. "We have enough in the room to compete against these teams, and I think we didn't really show that the first time. So we have to lock in and just be true to ourselves and understand that it's going to take all 12 of us to walk out with those wins, and I think we will."

Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr. committed to UConn, the school announced Thursday, giving the Huskies one of the best guards in the transfer portal and a much-needed boost to their backcourt.

Demary visited UConn earlier this week after taking a trip to St. John's. The likes of Kentucky and BYU were also in pursuit.

A 6-foot-5 sophomore, Demary was ranked No. 10 in ESPN's transfer rankings. He averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season for the Bulldogs, leading them to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2015.

He was at his best down the stretch of the season, averaging 18.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists over his last 10 games, shooting nearly 39% from 3-point range. He reached 20 or more points four times over that span.

Dan Hurley has been in search of a lead guard to play alongside returning starter Solo Ball and McDonald's All-American Braylon Mullins next season, and Demary fits that role. He's much more in the mold of two-time national champion Tristen Newton, who started at point guard for UConn in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Demary has the requisite size, defense and shot-making to lead the Huskies at both ends of the floor.

HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders and new quarterback Geno Smith have agreed to a two-year, $75 million extension, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The contract has incentives that could push the total to $85.5 million and includes $66.5 million in guaranteed money, the source said.

Smith, 34, is now contractually tied to Las Vegas through the 2027 season. He had one year and $31 million left on the $75 million contract he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023.

The Raiders traded a 2025 third-round pick to the Seahawks to acquire Smith last month.

Adding Smith solved the Raiders' need for a quarterback after the team struggled under Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell in 2024. Most importantly, the arrival of Smith allows them to compete right away under the new regime of coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek.

In 2024, Smith broke Seattle's franchise record for passing yards (4,320) and completion rate (70.4%) while throwing 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 17 starts. He led the Seahawks to a 10-7 record, but they didn't qualify for the playoffs.

He will become the fifth player since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to set a franchise record for passing yards and then start the following season with a new team, joining Jameis Winston, Jay Cutler, Ken Stabler and Bob Berry.

Over the past three seasons, Smith has been one of the league's most accurate passers, ranking fourth among all quarterbacks in completion percentage and first in off-target percentage, meaning he had the most throws on target, per ESPN Research. Over that same span, Raiders quarterbacks have ranked 25th in completion percentage and 23rd in off-target percentage.

Smith was a two-time Pro Bowl selection under Carroll in Seattle, recording 8,641 passing yards, 55 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 37 games.

Carroll called Smith an "immediate fix" at the position during the NFL's annual meeting this week. However, he didn't rule out the possibility of drafting a quarterback this month.

Smith is the fourth quarterback in league history to earn multiple Pro Bowl selections under a head coach and then rejoin that coach on a different franchise. After the Seahawks moved on from Smith, they signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal.

The Arizona Cardinals are making Pro Bowler Trey McBride the highest-paid tight end in NFL history with a four-year, $76 million extension, agents Mike Swenson, CJ LaBoy and Doug Hendrickson told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday.

The deal includes $43 million guaranteed and a $19 million average per year, the highest ever for an NFL tight end.

The Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce previously held the highest average per year for a tight end at $17.125 million, per the Roster Management System.

The Cardinals announced McBride's four-year extension but did not disclose financial terms.

McBride, 25, set career highs with 111 receptions and 1,146 yards last season. He also scored three touchdowns (two receiving).

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks received an automatic one-game suspension after he was whistled for his 16th technical foul of the season during Wednesday's victory against the Utah Jazz.

NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars announced the suspension Thursday.

Brooks, who said he had hoped that the technical would be rescinded by the league, will be suspended for Friday's home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is averaging 13.9 points, 3.7 assists and 1.7 assists this season.

The technical came just 4 minutes, 48 seconds into the game while Brooks was trying to post up Utah's Collin Sexton near the basket. With his back to Sexton, Brooks spun inside to attempt a turnaround jumper, but Sexton swiped the ball away before Brooks could get off the shot.

During the follow-through, Brooks kicked out his right leg, which appeared to strike Sexton near the groin. Sexton immediately doubled over in pain, as officials whistled a stop in play. After a brief review, referee Tony Brothers announced a technical foul for Brooks, resulting in a free throw for Sexton.

Once a player reaches 16 technical fouls, a potential suspension will increase by one game for every two additional technicals he receives. During the postseason, a player will need to accumulate a total of seven technical fouls before facing suspension.

Houston clinched its first postseason berth since the 2019-20 season, becoming the second team in the Western Conference to reach 50 wins.

ESPN's Michael C. Wright contributed to this report.

New York Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson is expected to return to practice and could see game action this weekend.

Brunson, 28, initially was expected to miss at least two weeks after spraining his right ankle during overtime of a March 6 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. His recovery time has been extended as the Knicks (48-28) have gone 8-6 without him in the lineup and are in third place in the Eastern Conference.

"He's cleared for basketball activities," coach Tom Thibodeau said Wednesday before New York's 124-105 loss to the host Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Knicks, with six regular-season games remaining, visit the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday and host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Brunson has played in 61 games, four short of the 65-game threshold needed to qualify for postseason awards.

A candidate for All-NBA honors and the Clutch Player of the Year, Brunson is averaging 26.3 points, 7.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 61 starts.

The Dallas Mavericks selected Brunson in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft out of Villanova.

Voted an All-Star the past two seasons, Brunson was All-NBA second team in 2023-24. His career averages are 18.1 points, 5.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 483 regular-season games (333 starts) for the Mavericks (2018-22) and Knicks.

Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, leads Duke into the Final Four against Houston on Saturday (8:49 p.m. ET, CBS), and his exceptional play begs the question: To which NBA players -- both past and present -- does he best compare?

ESPN talked to NBA executives and scouts, who came up with five comparisons based on Flagg's developing offensive skills, versatility and defensive prowess.

Player comps, though often divisive, are inextricable from how prospects are discussed among scouts. While imperfect, they can be useful in setting expectations and envisioning roles a player might grow into.

"I want to know, worst-case scenario, if we're using a pick on this guy, give me someone who made the league who he reminds you of," one Western Conference executive told ESPN.

"It builds the case to say why he's an NBA player. You can give me two guys, this player with a side of that player, even a guy from an older era. It's an easier sell when you can say this guy reminds me of that guy."

Flagg's first-team All-American season makes him a challenging case study because elite prospects have special qualities that set them apart. The diversity of their skill sets often call to mind several different players at once.

Here are five players whom NBA scouts tell us they're leaning into as they go through their own evaluations for Flagg. These comps are designed to illustrate his range of outcomes and highlight his strengths on both sides of the ball.

Jump to a Flagg comp:
Jayson Tatum | Kawhi Leonard
Lamar Odom | Scottie Pippen | Andrei Kirilenko

Ceiling comp: Kawhi Leonard

Bio: Small forward; 6-foot-7; 227 pounds
Drafted: No. 15 overall in 2011 by the Indiana Pacers (traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft night)

NBA front office take: "[Flagg]'s really good defensively and can be a game changer on that end pretty much immediately with his size, effort and IQ. He's always been a very good defender and the offense is coming along. It's a very similar path to the one Kawhi was on early in his NBA career, as a guy who had all these really useful qualities, and then entered as a real two-way force as he rounded out his game." -- a Western Conference scout

Where the similarities start: What Leonard became in the NBA -- an effective perimeter scorer who could take on any matchup defensively at his peak -- would be a fantastic outcome for Flagg.

There are stylistic similarities between them: On the offensive end, neither plays the prettiest style with the ball in his hands, but they each rely on balance and footwork in the midrange, make plays for teammates and would rather attack the basket and go downhill than settle for 3-point shots. Leonard evolved into a No. 1 option in the NBA; the big question hanging over Flagg is whether he'll become that level of scorer.

Defensively, both players use their size and instincts to disrupt opponents and the flow of opposing offenses. Flagg, at 6-foot-9, is more of a shot blocker -- he has been deployed by Duke as a roving forward away from the ball. Leonard's physical strength and huge hands made him one of the league's most devastating wing stoppers at his peak. This comp points to the fact that Flagg's impact on winning games, coupled with further offensive development, could elevate him into franchise-player territory in the same way.

Where the similarities end: Leonard had a once-in-a-generation type of developmental arc. Unpolished as a power forward at San Diego State, he evolved into a two-way wing dynamo and Finals MVP with the San Antonio Spurs, then shifted into more of an offensive-minded force midway through his career. His accomplishments and outlier growth trajectory make Leonard a tricky comp.

To Flagg's credit, he's well ahead of where Leonard was entering the NBA in terms of offensive comfort level and on-court success -- and at a younger age. While player development is nonlinear and unpredictable, that bodes well for Flagg's future as a scorer: His freshman numbers show he's on a faster track than Leonard, who entered the draft as a 20-year-old sophomore.

Leonard has a more developed upper body with a 7-3 wingspan. Flagg is taller and more lithe. He doesn't have Leonard's extreme length, measuring with a 6-11 wingspan at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit. Flagg may offer more scheme versatility, with the size to guard bigger forwards, but might not evolve into the true wing stopper Leonard was in San Antonio -- few players could lock up one-on-one matchups on the wing the way Leonard did in his Spurs years.

What the numbers say: Leonard and Flagg were very different college players, as evidenced by their stats, which underscore Flagg's advancement compared to Leonard's sophomore season at San Diego State in 2011.

Flagg's efficiency (60% TS), playmaking (5.6 assists per-40 pace adjusted) and comfort from the 3-point line (37% to Leonard's 27%) are well ahead, pointing to his level of polish. Leonard's rebounding outpaces Flagg's, and his steals are about on par, but he wasn't near the level of scorer or initiator, developing those skills over time in the pros. While nothing is a given, there's reason for optimism that Flagg will further blossom as an offensive option as he matures.

Floor comp: Lamar Odom

Bio: Power forward; 6-10; 220 pounds
Drafted: No. 4 overall in 1999 by the LA Clippers

NBA front office take: "Just the ease and comfort level handling the ball on the perimeter -- we talk about [whether] guys are inside players who develop outside or perimeter players who take their game down low. Flagg has had such comfort on the perimeter. Odom filled out and was a late growth spurt guy with ball skills. You love a guy who at 6-10 can play with the facility of being a 6-3 guard." -- Western Conference executive No. 1

Where the similarities start: Using Odom, a two-time NBA champion and NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner, as a low-end comparison captures the intrinsic value of Flagg's versatility. If Flagg plateaued as a scorer, his ability to function as a point forward, make plays for teammates and engender flexibility in the lineups played around him would still be additive.

Odom often functioned as an oversized ball handler in the NBA and effectively played point guard at Rhode Island in 1998-99. His career took off after leaving the Clippers for the Heat, then being traded to the Lakers as part of the 2004 Shaquille O'Neal deal. With the Lakers, Odom's ability to play all over the floor on offense and cover multiple positions defensively made him an essential part of the 2009 and 2010 title teams.

While expectations for Flagg are higher than they were for Odom, the thought of him as a point forward who also changes the game defensively points to his exceptional ceiling.

Where the similarities end: Flagg's developmental trajectory is on track to surpass Odom's production in the NBA. Odom was a standout performer who led Rhode Island to the Atlantic 10 championship in his lone college season, but Flagg's impact on a title contender sets him apart. Odom's off-court struggles contributed to him not reaching his ceiling in his NBA career. Execs I've spoken to don't have any concerns about Flagg off the court.

What the numbers say: Odom averaged 17.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.8 blocks per-40 in his lone season at Rhode Island, shooting 53% on 2s, 33% on 3-pointers and 68.7% from the line. (Pace-adjusted stats from that era were unavailable).

Flagg's season has put him ahead of Odom in every category, underscoring that this comparison is perhaps overly conservative, but Odom's all-around production helps frame where the comp comes from.

In-his-prime comp: Jayson Tatum

Bio: Small forward; 6-8; 210 pounds
Drafted: No. 3 overall in 2017 by the Boston Celtics

NBA front office take: "Both of them at Duke presented really positively as guys that were going to have a couple of off-ramps to be super successful. We're seeing that with Flagg recently, he's had poor shooting nights like against [Alabama in the Elite Eight], and still was super impactful [toward] winning. ... People questioned both of their shots, which turned out to be a silly concern, probably. They both have really good feel offensively in a way that's just uncommon for their size and usage. -- a second Western Conference executive

Where the similarities start: A one-and-done out of Duke, Tatum has developed into one of the NBA's best players in his mid-20s, becoming the anchor of a championship team in 2024. A gifted scorer in high school, Tatum developed from a midrange player into a more well-rounded offensive option over time.

Flagg and Tatum are similar, with the former listed an inch taller and both measuring with 6-11 wingspans. They were both rigid and mechanical jump shooters in high school, particularly from 3-point range.

Tatum's balanced, high-volume offensive profile with the Celtics shows how Flagg could grow into a similar role -- particularly if his future team guides him toward high usage. Tatum has had success without being a top-flight 3-point shooter, with his percentages settling in the mid-to-high 30s on high volume, but not placing him among the league's elite. He has expanded his passing ability over time, topping out this season with a career-high 5.9 assists per game.

Where the similarities end: Stylistically, Flagg and Tatum were much different as college freshmen. One of Tatum's weaknesses as a prospect was his shot selection and limited passing acumen -- and it took time for him to change his style. Flagg is a more accomplished playmaker for others, more than doubling Tatum's assists per game at Duke, and the passing figures to be more central to his offensive value in the NBA. Flagg's shot selection is a bit more team-friendly, but while he has made strides creating his own shot in the half court, Tatum was more polished.

Flagg will enter the NBA as a more impactful and focused defender than Tatum, who has improved with the Celtics but was never known for his defense as a prospect. Tatum has learned to use his size and versatility to his advantage and rebounds his position at a high level. Expect Flagg to be more impactful defensively as a rookie and potentially in the long run.

What the numbers say: The stats again show the prodigious nature of what Flagg is doing at his age: His college numbers stack up well with Tatum's.

His superior passing is on display (5.6 assists per 40 adjusted to Tatum's 2.6), and the advanced stats (+37.3 net rating, +14.5 BPM) capture some of his broader defensive impact on a more successful Duke team. Tatum wasn't far behind in terms of efficiency (57.3% true shooting to Flagg's 60%).

A second-star comp: Scottie Pippen

Bio: Small forward; 6-8; 228 pounds
Drafted: No. 5 overall in 1987 by the Seattle SuperSonics (traded to the Chicago Bulls on draft night)

NBA front office take: "I say Scottie because he could have been a No. 1 guy, and was after MJ left [Chicago], but he became by far the best No. 2. I think Cooper will be a hell of a No. 2, but he might need a top 10 [player] running mate with him. He can obviously prove me wrong, but I don't see him as a No. 1 guy on a championship team in his career." -- a Eastern Conference general manager

Where the similarities start: This comp is a lofty way to illustrate Flagg might be best used alongside another elite player who can shoulder a heavy scoring load. Pippen is regarded as the best "second star" ever, pairing with Michael Jordan to win six championships with the Bulls in the 1990s. This comparison underscores Flagg's impact in every other area, but there's still immense upside if he doesn't develop into an No. 1 caliber scorer.

Pippen was never a top-flight scorer and thrived in a do-it-all role alongside Jordan that enabled him to exert more of his energy on defense. Flagg's offensive gifts might be best suited in that fashion, with his excellent passing and ballhandling allowing him to thrive as a hybrid point forward.

Where the similarities end: Pippen was more of a dynamic athlete who bullied defenders with physicality and in transition, using his strength and length to create advantages. It's too early to know how Flagg's frame will change, but he doesn't play with the same degree of force.

Flagg's feel and perimeter skills are well ahead of Pippen, who began as a walk-on at Central Arkansas and didn't become an NBA prospect until a late growth spurt changed his trajectory. The fact Flagg is a much better shooter already suggests he might surpass Pippen's offensive impact, although that doesn't guarantee Flagg will turn into a true No. 1 scorer.

What the numbers say: While the difference in eras and level of competition doesn't make this the most statistically significant comparison, the Pippen comp captures Flagg's ability to fill up a box score and impact the game on both ends.

Pippen averaged 23.6 points, 10 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.1 steals as a 21-year-old senior at Central Arkansas in 1986-87 (blocks weren't recorded at that time), pointing to an all-around impact, albeit at a lower level. He was a late bloomer who became one of the most versatile players of the 1990s but took a couple NBA seasons to break out.

A left-field comp: Andrei Kirilenko

Bio: Small forward; 6-9; 220 pounds
Drafted: No. 24 overall in 1999 by the Utah Jazz

NBA front office take: "Kirilenko led the NBA in blocks! I don't see Flagg doing that. [Kirilenko] had the energy to expend more on the defensive end because he was a role player offensively. Kirilenko doing three blocks a game [at his peak] as a non-center is incredible, in an era where there weren't as many possessions. ... But you project Flagg to be much more meaningful on the offensive end." -- Western Conference executive No. 1

Where the similarities start: This comp was thrown around frequently with Flagg prior to the season. Flagg's mentality and impact on that end of the floor led many scouts to invoke the 2004 All-Star from Russia, who was one of the better defenders upon his arrival to the NBA. Kirilenko led the league in blocks (3.3 per game) at his peak in 2004-05.

Flagg's ranginess and instincts as a defensive playmaker are the driving force behind this comp.

Where the similarities end: The more we've learned about Flagg, the less this comp makes sense. Kirilenko was far behind Flagg offensively at a similar stage. Kirilenko peaked at 16.5 points per game in the NBA, was never a prolific outside shooter or versatile scorer, nor someone capable of heavy offensive initiation. Flagg's offensive aptitude clears the bar here -- his passing ability and intuitive feel make him a very different player.

Also, Kirilenko had a 7-foot-4 wingspan, which contributed to his prolific shot blocking.

What the numbers say: Kirilenko's rookie season line in Utah (2001-02) saw him finish third in NBA Rookie of the Year voting, with 10.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.9 blocks and a 55.3% true shooting clip in 26 minutes per game. He hardly shot 3s and made 48% of 2-point attempts.

Assuming full health, expect Flagg to surpass those offensive totals, with more minutes and possessions headed his way in the NBA. It's not likely Flagg's block numbers will reach that extent, but the impact should be there nonetheless.

The opening weekend of the 2025 MLB season was taken over by a surprise star -- torpedo bats.

The bowling pin-shaped bats became the talk of the sport after the Yankees' home run onslaught on the first Saturday of the season put it in the spotlight and the buzz hasn't slowed since.

What exactly is a torpedo bat? How does it help hitters? And how is it legal? Let's dig in.

Read: An MIT-educated professor, the Yankees and the bat that could be changing baseball

What is a torpedo bat and why is it different from a traditional MLB bat?

The idea of the torpedo bat is to take a size format -- say, 34 inches and 32 ounces -- and distribute the wood in a different geometric shape than the traditional form to ensure the fattest part of the bat is located where the player makes the most contact. Standard bats taper toward an end cap that is as thick diametrically as the sweet spot of the barrel. The torpedo bat moves some of the mass on the end of the bat about 6 to 7 inches lower, giving it a bowling-pin shape, with a much thinner end.

How does it help hitters?

The benefits for those who like swinging with it -- and not everyone who has swung it likes it -- are two-fold. Both are rooted in logic and physics. The first is that distributing more mass to the area of most frequent contact aligns with players' swing patterns and provides greater impact when bat strikes ball. Players are perpetually seeking ways to barrel more balls, and while swings that connect on the end of the bat and toward the handle probably will have worse performance than with a traditional bat, that's a tradeoff they're willing to make for the additional slug. And as hitters know, slug is what pays.

The second benefit, in theory, is increased bat speed. Imagine a sledgehammer and a broomstick that both weigh 32 ounces. The sledgehammer's weight is almost all at the end, whereas the broomstick's is distributed evenly. Which is easier to swing fast? The broomstick, of course, because shape of the sledgehammer takes more strength and effort to move. By shedding some of the weight off the end of the torpedo bat and moving it toward the middle, hitters have found it swings very similarly to a traditional model but with slightly faster bat velocity.

Why did it become such a big story so early in the 2025 MLB season?

Because the New York Yankees hit nine home runs in a game Saturday and Michael Kay, their play-by-play announcer, pointed out that some of them came from hitters using a new bat shape. The fascination was immediate. While baseball, as an industry, has implemented forward-thinking rules in recent seasons, the modification to something so fundamental and known as the shape of a bat registered as bizarre. The initial response from many who saw it: How is this legal?

OK. How is this legal?

Major League Baseball's bat regulations are relatively permissive. Currently, the rules allow for a maximum barrel diameter of 2.61 inches, a maximum length of 42 inches and a smooth and round shape. The lack of restrictions allows MLB's authorized bat manufacturers to toy with bat geometry and for the results to still fall within the regulations.

Who came up with the idea of using them?

The notion of a bowling-pin-style bat has kicked around baseball for years. Some bat manufacturers made smaller versions as training tools. But the version that's now infiltrating baseball goes back two years when a then-Yankees coach named Aaron Leanhardt started asking hitters how they should counteract the giant leaps in recent years made by pitchers.

When Yankees players responded that bigger barrels would help, Leanhardt -- an MIT-educated former Michigan physics professor who left academia to work in the sports industry -- recognized that as long as bats stayed within MLB parameters, he could change their geometry to make them a reality. Leanhardt, who left the Yankees to serve as major league field coordinator for the Miami Marlins over the winter, worked with bat manufacturers throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons to make that a reality.

When did it first appear in MLB games?

It's unclear specifically when. But Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton used a torpedo bat last year and went on a home run-hitting rampage in October that helped send the Yankees to the World Series. New York Mets star Francisco Lindor also used a torpedo-style bat last year and went on to finish second in National League MVP voting.

Who are some of the other notable early users of torpedo bats?

In addition to Stanton and Lindor, Yankees hitters Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt have used torpedoes to great success. Others who have used them in games include Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero, Minnesota's Ryan Jeffers and Toronto's Davis Schneider. And that's just the beginning. Hundreds more players are expected to test out torpedoes -- and perhaps use them in games -- in the coming weeks.

How is this different from a corked bat?

Corking bats involves drilling a hole at the end of the bat, filling it in and capping it. The use of altered bats allows players to swing faster because the material with which they replace the wood -- whether it's cork, superballs or another material -- is lighter. Any sort of bat adulteration is illegal and, if found, results in suspension.

Could a rule be changed to ban them?

Could it happen? Sure. Leagues and governing bodies have put restrictions on equipment they believe fundamentally altered fairness. Stick curvature is limited in hockey. Full-body swimsuits made of polyurethane and neoprene are banned by World Aquatics. But officials at MLB have acknowledged that the game's pendulum has swung significantly toward pitching in recent years, and if an offensive revolution comes about because of torpedo bats -- and that is far from a guarantee -- it could bring about more balance to the game. If that pendulum swings too far, MLB could alter its bat regulations, something it has done multiple times already this century.

So the torpedo bat is here to stay?

Absolutely. Bat manufacturers are cranking them out and shipping them to interested players with great urgency. Just how widely the torpedo bat is adopted is the question that will play out over the rest of the season. But it has piqued the curiosity of nearly every hitter in the big leagues, and just as pitchers toy with new pitches to see if they can marginally improve themselves, hitters will do the same with bats.

Comfort is paramount with a bat, so hitters will test them during batting practice and in cage sessions before unleashing them during the game. As time goes on, players will find specific shapes that are most comfortable to them and best suit their swing during bat-fitting sessions -- similar to how golfers seek custom clubs. But make no mistake: This is an almost-overnight alteration of the game, and "traditional or torpedo" is a question every big leaguer going forward will ask himself.