MINNEAPOLIS — Zach Dezenzo was rehabbing an injury at the Houston Astros’ minor-league facility in Florida last season when he first beheld a bat that he still thinks “looks weird.” Its barrel bulged and tapered into a skinner end. Its shape resembled that of a bowling pin.

After the new design erupted into the public’s attention last weekend, there was an instant surge of interest.

The new bats caused excitement when New York Yankees hitters clobbered home runs with them opening weekend, and that has some Portland players eager to give the torpedo bat some swings.

Major League Baseball is buzzing over torpedo bats. Here's an inside look at the demand for the bats, and how one factory is trying to keep up.

Torpedo bats are thinner at the top with more wood closer to the batter’s hands. The Yankees debuted these new bats in their opening weekend and hit 15 home runs.

Despite losing their first game of the MLB season, the New York Yankees continued their historic start to the year as they broke multiple records through their prolific home run hitting.

Now back to the torpedo bat. It's designed so that the wider part of the bat IS the sweet spot. Since it’s wider, it's easier to hit the ball. Since that part is the sweet spot, it gives the ball a higher speed. Higher speed means the ball will travel farther. Adios pelota!

Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton mentioned this spring that bat adjustments likely contributed to his severe elbow injuries.