The average MLB player height for the 2026 season is approximately 6 feet 1.8 inches (6’2″ rounded). That’s more than 4 inches taller than the average American male (5’9″) and roughly 6 inches taller than the MLB average of a century ago (5’8″). Pitchers are the tallest position on average at 6’2.5″, while second basemen are the shortest at about 5’11”.
The tallest MLB players in history are Jon Rauch and Sean Hjelle, both pitchers at 6’11”. The shortest player ever was Eddie Gaedel at 3’7″ — a one-game publicity stunt in 1951. The shortest “regular” player in recent memory is Jose Altuve at 5’6″. Below is the complete breakdown of current MLB averages by position, plus every notable height record in baseball history.
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The MLB has gotten significantly taller over time
The average MLB player in 1900 stood at about 5’8″ — almost identical to the average American male of that era. Today’s MLB average is roughly 6’1.8″, a gain of nearly 6 inches in 125 years. The shift accelerated dramatically after 1980 due to better youth nutrition, year-round strength training, and scouts increasingly prioritizing size and projection in the draft.
The 2023 #1 overall pick Paul Skenes is 6’6″, 260 lbs — the prototype modern starting pitcher. Some teams now actively avoid drafting pitchers under 6 feet tall. The Kansas City Royals opened their 2024 season with zero pitchers under 6 feet on their roster, compared to five who were 6’4″ or taller. The trend continues — recent draft classes have averaged closer to 6’2″ than 6’1″.
The 6’11” club — Jon Rauch and Sean Hjelle
Only two MLB players in history have stood 6’11”: pitcher Jon Rauch (2002-2013) and pitcher Sean Hjelle (2022-present). Rauch broke the previous record of 6’10” — held by Hall of Famer Randy Johnson — when he debuted with the White Sox in 2002. He had an 11-year career as a reliable reliever, with 62 career saves and a 3.90 ERA. Hjelle tied Rauch’s record when he debuted with the San Francisco Giants on May 6, 2022. There has never been a 7-foot MLB player, though the tallest professional baseball player ever was Loek van Mil at 7’1″ (Dutch pitcher, minor leagues and NPB only). The Orioles’ farm system currently has a 7-foot pitcher named Jared Beck, who could become the first 7-footer in MLB history if he reaches the majors.
The Eddie Gaedel story — 3’7″ for one plate appearance
Eddie Gaedel remains the shortest MLB player ever at 3 feet 7 inches and 60 pounds. He appeared in exactly one MLB game — on August 19, 1951 — as a publicity stunt orchestrated by St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck. Gaedel wore uniform number “1/8” and walked on four straight pitches against Detroit Tigers pitcher Bob Cain (his strike zone was about 1.5 inches tall). He was replaced by a pinch-runner immediately. MLB Commissioner Will Harridge voided Gaedel’s contract the next day to prevent similar stunts. Among “real” players, the shortest in recent decades is Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve at 5’6″ — who’s won an AL MVP, three batting titles, and a World Series ring despite being more than 7 inches shorter than the league average.
Height by position — and why it matters
Pitchers average the tallest because height creates a downward release angle (more difficult for hitters to track) and longer levers can produce higher velocity. First basemen come next because a tall target with long arms helps catch errant throws and stretch for picks. Second basemen are the shortest because the position prizes lateral quickness over reach — and shorter players naturally have quicker first-step burst. Catchers have a similar profile to first basemen — taller average than the middle infield, but with thicker lower bodies for squat endurance. The key takeaway: height matters more in some spots (pitcher, 1B) than others (2B, where Altuve has thrived). For more on positional fit, see our guides on the hardest baseball positions and the shortest MLB players.