The Washington Nationals are a rebuilding team that's finally starting to show real progress after a rough half-decade, but the New York Yankees' 'torpedo' bats

It has a seemingly inflated barrel that is thickest and heaviest where the player most frequently makes contact, then narrowing at the end.

Former Yankees infielder Kevin Smith explained this new bat shape is called the "torpedo" and was designed by someone in the team's front office. It's pretty straightforward. The "torpedo" is intended to decrease misses and increase barreled balls.