MLB's Players Weekend is here, and the league's stars are representing.
While nicknames on the back of jerseys are no longer part of the festivities, players are free to do what they want with their bats — and some big names are taking advantage of the relaxed rules with some eccentric choices.
From bats with personal messages to bats with hometown pride, here is the best lumber from MLB's Players Weekend in 2025.
MORE: Ranking the 13 best MLB players who played in Little League World Series
15. Trea Turner, Phillies
- Theme: Spider-Man, Hulk
Phillies SS Trea Turner is deferring to his son for this year's Players Weekend bat, choosing a custom Spider-Man and Hulk theme because of his son's love of Marvel characters. The design blends the two characters well, with Spider-Man at the top of the bat and Hulk's fist smashing through the bottom of the bat's barrel.
Turner's bat can be seen here, courtesy of MLB.com.
MORE: Everything to know about triple plays in baseball
14. Bryce Harper, Phillies
- Theme: Fire
Phillies star Bryce Harper is bringing the heat for Players Weekend — literally. The two-time MVP is showcasing a deep red bat with flames coming down from the top, a year after he brought out crayon-themed bats customized by his kids. Harper actually broke out the bat early, using it during the Phillies' series opener against the Nationals on Thursday.
MORE: Which pitchers have recorded 3,000 career strikeouts?
13. Max Muncy, Athletics
- Theme: Taco Bell's Baja Blast
The A's edition of Max Muncy is on the injured list, but he deserves some love for a custom Baja Blast bat. Not only are the idea and color both unique, but the Baja Blast logo is customized to include Muncy's name in multiple spots. Muncy said he might let a teammate use the bat, which would be a fun turn of events.
A’s infielder Max Muncy loves Taco Bell, so, naturally, his bat for Players Weekend is Baja Blast-themed. He’s on the IL but said he might let a teammate use it in a game. pic.twitter.com/sGwYoyQyyn
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) August 14, 2025
12. Anthony Volpe, Yankees
- Theme: James Bond
Yankees SS Anthony Volpe has had a difficult season, but his power has started to come along in the second half. Perhaps a James Bond-themed bat can help him finish strong. Volpe's black torpedo bat features a Bond tuxedo on the barrel and "0011" on the other side, paying tribute to the long-running film series. Given Volpe's Italian roots and New Jersey heritage, fans might think he's paying tribute to "The Godfather" before they see "0011" on the side opposite the tuxedo.
Volpe's bat can be seen here, courtesy of MLB.com.
MORE: Ranking the 15 biggest power couples in sports
11. Juan Soto, Mets
- Theme: Mr. Met
Mets OF Juan Soto will have some style at the Little League Classic on Sunday, as he has a custom Mr. Met bat ready to go for the Mets' series with the Mariners.
The bat features the Mets' famous mascot with silver sunglasses and an orange chain around his neck. The barrel is also loaded with depictions of Soto's iconic "Soto shuffle" in silhouette form.
Soto's bat can be seen here, courtesy of The Athletic.
MORE: Ranking the 11 most memorable Subway Series moments
10. Carson Kelly, Cubs
- Theme: Chicago-style hot dog
Cubs catcher Carson Kelly has enjoyed a bit of a breakthrough season behind the plate in Chicago, and he's showing some love to the city with a custom Chicago hot dog bat. The design leaves no doubt it's a Chicago-style dog, featuring a poppy bun, green relish, a dill pickle and more toppings that make it unique.
Kelly's bat can be seen here, courtesy of The Athletic.
MORE: Everything to know about MLB attendance records
9. Jac Caglianone, Royals
- Theme: Vintage baseball card
Royals rookie Jac Caglianone won't actually be playing during Players Weekend, as he remains on a rehab assignment following a hamstring injury, but the hope is he will one day be able to use the custom vintage baseball card bat he received for the weekend. The yellow bat is designed to look like an old-school pack of baseball cards, right down to the price of five cents and chewing gum included on the barrel.
Caglianone's bat can be seen here, courtesy of The Athletic.
MORE: Who are the oldest players to compete in an MLB game?
8. Alex Bregman, Red Sox
- Theme: Wally the Green Monster
Players’ Weekend wood for Breggy. pic.twitter.com/mBpioHqba4
— Marucci (@MarucciSports) August 11, 2025
Everything green is working for the Red Sox this season. Boston's Green Monster-themed city connect uniforms look fantastic, and now Alex Bregman's custom Wally the Green Monster mascot bat is set to see the spotlight on Players Weekend. While it's only one of three bats for Bregman over the weekend, the lumber featuring an oversized Wally on a deep red background is one of the best pieces of equipment on Players Weekend.
MORE: Who are MLB's 50-50 club members?
7. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
Bobby Witt Jr. during the ALDS playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
- Theme: Cheeseburger
Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr. is breaking out a cheeseburger-themed bat for Players Weekend in a tribute to his favorite fast food chain, Whataburger. While the bat doesn't specify any brand, it does feature a hearty burger and fries on the barrel, including two patties.
Witt's bat can be seen here, courtesy of MLB.com.
MORE: Is sign stealing legal in baseball?
6. Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
- Theme: Honoring mom
During Players' Weekend Ketel Marte will be using a special bat to honor his mom 💜
— MLB (@MLB) August 11, 2025
The bat features a beautiful photo of the two of them inside of a heart surrounded by purple flowers 🫶 pic.twitter.com/d2qtHwntGW
Diamondbacks 2B Ketel Marte is paying tribute to his late mother with a special purple bat during Players Weekend. The All-Star's bat features an image of himself and his mother inside a heart, with flowers lining the rest of the barrel. Marte's mother died in a car accident in 2017, a story that resurfaced earlier this season when a White Sox fan was ejected for making inappropriate comments referencing her.
5. CJ Abrams, Nationals
- Theme: Aliens
"The Alien" is one of Nationals SS CJ Abrams' nicknames, and the young former All-Star is embracing it with a terrific green, black and purple custom bat for Players Weekend. Abrams has three alien-themed bats at his disposal, including one littered with green alien heads on the barrel.
Abrams' bat can be seen here, courtesy of MLB.com.
4. George Springer, Blue Jays
- Theme: Hartford Whalers
Hockey fans, rejoice. Blue Jays OF George Springer is breaking out a custom Hartford Whalers bat, paying tribute to his former hometown team with a green and blue bat featuring the Whalers' classic logo. Springer is from New Britain, Conn., and spent his college days at UConn, so he has a close connection to all things Connecticut. The Whalers moved to Raleigh when Springer was only seven years old, but he hasn't forgotten where he came from.
Springer's bat can be seen here, courtesy of The Athletic.
3. Christian Yelich
- Theme: Bob Uecker tribute
The Brewers are enjoying a magical season, and that magic continued Friday night when Christian Yelich hit two home runs with a bat that honors late broadcasting legend Bob Uecker. Yelich's sky blue and yellow bat features a logo that includes Uecker's face and the nickname, "Mr. Baseball." Yelich was fortunate enough to show off the bat to Uecker before he died, and it sure felt like Uecker was with Yelich at the plate in Cincinnati.
Here’s the bat Christian Yelich just hit a home run with.
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) August 15, 2025
Awesome tribute to the legend Bob Uecker 🙏 pic.twitter.com/L0wRjaggkE
2. Cal Raleigh, Mariners
- Theme: Big Dumper
Cal Raleigh's Players Weekend bat reads "Big butt... bigger bombs"
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 15, 2025
(via @Mariners) pic.twitter.com/N6pMrAIIcg
Mariners star Cal Raleigh debuted one of the best bats of Players Weekend when he recorded three hits and his 46th home run of the season with lumber that says "Big Dumper" on the barrel. One of Raleigh's bats also includes an inscription that reads, "Big but... bigger bombs." Credit to Raleigh for embracing the nickname.
1. Marcelo Mayer, Red Sox
- Theme: Lightning McQueen
Marcelo Mayer's Lightning McQueen bat for Players' Weekend may be the best piece of custom lumber we've ever seen 😮 pic.twitter.com/EYvN3YVzDH
— MLB (@MLB) August 11, 2025
It's hard to choose anything over the bat being used by Red Sox rookie Marcelo Mayer on Players Weekend, as he went with a Lightning McQueen theme. Even if the inspiration is a children's movie, the bat is pretty intimidating. Between McQueen's focused eyes and his signature lightning bolt down the side of the bat, pitchers will be staring right at the Piston Cup champion.