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

Among the Yankees hitters who are using it, Anthony Volpe is a model for poor hitters who might see the torpedo bat as hope of becoming a good hitter. He's gained nearly 2 mph in average bat speed and 0.8 mph in average exit velocity.

Developed by a physicist, these bats have their widest part, called the barrel, closer to the player's hands to offer a better chance of hitting the ball on their "sweet spot"

Many of the Yankees used torpedo bats while posting historic numbers this weekend. Here's how the team started using the oddly-shaped bats and why they're legal.