Author: Brian Davis | Updated: July 28, 2026
Athletes everywhere want to play like the pros. Whether it’s a youth player who wants to play like their idol or a college athlete looking to make it big by using the same gear that got others to the top, we want to know what gear the pros are playing. Baseball bats are no exception.
Everyone who follows baseball knows Major League Baseball players use wood baseball bats. From hitting towering home runs to winning batting titles, we see players wielding their preferred bat and think “I want that bat.” If you’re looking to find a selection of the same baseball bats used in MLB, Play Baseball has the guide for you.
Victus Baseball Bats
The most popular baseball bat brand currently in MLB is Victus with a 27.8% plate share (per Bat Digest’s 2026 Opening Day tracking – the highest of any brand). Victus makes a smaller variety of baseball bats; however, they are trusted by some big-time sluggers like Bryce Harper, Julio Rodriguez, and Giancarlo Stanton. They have made their name with unique, eye-catching designs that stand out when you see them. It’s no wonder they are a popular choice among younger players who bring their own unique flair to the diamond.
Marucci Baseball Bats
According to Bat Digest, Marucci comes in second with 16.7% of plate appearances as of Opening Day 2026. Combined with Victus, the two Marucci Sports brands account for well over 40% of MLB hitters. Marucci makes signature bat models for popular and successful players like Anthony Rizzo, Alex Bregman, and Trae Turner. Their pro model bats are a popular choice among players of all levels and Marucci even makes them available in youth models as more and more players and leagues are making the move to wood bats. Not only are they top performers, but they also come at an affordable price with their top-level baseball bats coming in at less than $200.
Louisville Slugger Bats
Louisville Slugger was the Official Bat of Major League Baseball for nearly 30 years, a run that ended after the 2024 season when Marucci Sports (Marucci and Victus) took over that license. Slugger has also slipped in on-field usage, now sitting in 4th place at 12.6% of Opening Day plate appearances, just behind Old Hickory at 13.0%. They make a massive variety of bats using all types of wood, including maple and ash, which represent some of the most popular materials among the professional ranks. Some of the biggest names in baseball and rising young stars choose a Louisville Slugger, such as Christian Yelich, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Ronald Acuna Jr. With their newest bats priced around $160, a Louisville Slugger won’t break the bank.
What Types of Wood Are MLB Baseball Bats Made of?
Wood baseball bats used in Major League Baseball are generally made from one of three types of wood: maple, birch, or ash. Each one has its own benefits and drawbacks, making it important for players to choose the right make for them.
- Maple wood is the most popular. It is a dense, powerful, and durable wood that packs a punch but is susceptible to absorbing moisture, causing the bat to become heavier over its lifespan.
- Birch wood is softer and more flexible, making for a more forgiving baseball bat that also gets more durable the more you use it. However, because the wood is softer, it requires a substantial break-in period before a birch baseball bat is ready for game use.
- Ash wood is similar to birch in that it is softer, more flexible, and more forgiving. Ash continues to dry out over the life of the bat, so it tends to be less durable and not the best choice for players who are not experienced with using wooden baseball bats.
When you are ready to buy a new wood bat just like the players in Major League Baseball use, Play Baseball has a large variety of wood baseball bats to choose from. This includes the three most popular brands, like Victus, Marucci, Louisville Slugger, and many more like Mizuno and Rawlings. Find the latest models from the best brands right here at Play Baseball.
We live in NW Iowa. We have old ash trees that may die due to the emerald ash borer. It has not hit us yet. Do wooden bat manufacturers ever harvest ash trees from farm yards and haul the wood away? I do not know what kind of ash trees we have. It is a shame that these trees could just die if there was a purpose for their wood.
In general, diseased trees cannot be used for anything, except maybe firewood. I was Forestry major at ISU. Did a paper on Dutch Elm disease. Those diseased elms were usually cut down and burned as soon as possible. Kill the beetles and their eggs.
I actually worked for Louisville Slugger before it was sold to Wilson. They would not want to take any trees that are infected or diseased in fear of spreading throughout their manufacturing plant.