When videos of Yankees hitters using funky-looking bats went viral last week, Orioles pitchers had some of the same reactions as fans did.

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

So what are these weirdly shaped bats, how do they work, and are they even legal? Here’s what to know about these new-styled bats you may see more of during the MLB season. Credit has been directed toward Aaron Leanhardt,