Josh Donaldson's hairstyle turns heads

Toronto Blue Jays star Josh Donaldson has been called a lot of things this season — clubhouse leader, fierce competitor, MVP. Add trendsetter to that list.

The third baseman's unique hairstyle has garnered almost as much attention as his stellar season. A hybrid between a mohawk cut and samurai tail, the do is buzzed short at the sides with lines sometimes shaved in above his ears, trimmed into a V-shape at the back, and long at the top with his light brown locks gathered in a small bun or ponytail at the crown.

It's a unique look that Jays fans have been emulating. Donaldson says he often receives photos of similar cuts via Twitter and isn't surprised it has caught on.

"I knew that would happen," Donaldson said in a recent interview. "When my barber was first cutting my hair like this he was like 'Hey, people are going to start getting this haircut all over the city,' and they did. I think it's pretty funny."

Donaldson, whose MVP-calibre season has helped propel the Blue Jays to the top of the American League East, hasn't really thought about a name for the cut. He has enough trouble just describing it.

"I kind of think of it as more of a top knot than a man bun," he said pensively. "But it's also got a bit of a samurai look to it, which is what I wanted.

"I'm sure a fan will come up with a name for it. Maybe we should do a poll or something."

• On mobile and can't view poll? Tap here

No matter what it's called, it doesn't require much maintenance.

He'll typically shave the sides down once a week to "keep it looking clean," and add a line or two if the mood strikes. But aside from occasionally running some mousse through it "to make it look not so terrible," he doesn't use many styling products.

Donaldson has experimented with his look in the past. During his stint with the Oakland Athletics he famously rocked a rat tail, which he sometimes braided, in addition to his mohawk.

The two-time all-star, known for his intense demeanour on the field, uses his hair to help show off a more playful side.

"I like to have fun with it," Donaldson said. "Thankfully I've been a part of two organizations that have given me leeway as far as what I want to do to express my personality."

So what do his teammates think?

"I was kind of expecting to get [teased] about it but I think the guys actually really like it," he said. "I'm sure I'll change it eventually, but I'm not going to do anything different right now."