MLB’s Tallest Baseball Player – Giants on the Field

The Boston Red Sox began the 2025 MLB season with eight pitchers listed at 6-foot-4 or taller.

Just being tall doesn’t guarantee success. Sean Hjelle, who is 6-foot-11, was the tallest player in the majors during the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons. However, he began the 2025 season in the minor leagues after having an earned run average of 6.75 in seven spring training games.

Who Is the Tallest MLB Player of All Time?

The Tallest MLB Player Ever

Jon Rauch made MLB history when the 6-foot-11 right-handed pitcher became the tallest MLB player.

Rauch mainly was a reliever in his 11 years in the majors. He finished with a 43-40 record and 62 saves in over 550 career games. Unlike some pitchers who approach 7-feet tall, he did not average more than a strikeout per inning.

Rauch did become the tallest player in MLB history to hit a home run.

Hjelle, drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 2018 draft out of the University of Kentucky, joined Rauch on the list of the tallest MLB players ever when he made his MLB debut in 2022.

Hjelle had ERAs of 5.76 and 6.52 in his first two MLB seasons before posting a 3.90 ERA in 2024.

Tallest MLB Players Currently Active

With Hjelle beginning the 2025 season in the minor leagues, the tallest current MLB player is the 6-foot-9 Bailey Ober.

The former College of Charleston pitcher had a breakthrough season with the Minnesota Twins in 2024, with a 12-9 record and 191 strikeouts in 178.2 innings.

Despite allowing eight earned runs in his first start of the 2025 season, Ober is a key part of the pitching staff for the Twins.

The Tallest MLB Player on Current Rosters

Only three teams began the 2025 season with at least two players 6-foot-7 or taller.

The team formerly known as the Oakland Athletics features 6-foot-8 pitchers Noah Murdock and Angel Perdomo. The Milwaukee Brewers also have 6-foot-8 hurlers Bryan Hudson and Trevor Megill.

The Washington Nationals’ opening-day roster included 6-foot-7 outfielder James Wood and 6-foot-7 pitcher Orlando Ribetta.

How Height Impacts Their Performance Today

On opening day, 16 players on MLB rosters stood 6-foot-7 or taller, and 13 of those were pitchers. That is not a coincidence; the tallest MLB pitchers are also the tallest MLB players.

Release point matters in baseball. A 6-foot-10 pitcher like Johnson had incredible velocity and movement on his pitches. It didn’t hurt that because of his frame, batters had less time to pick up the ball when it left Johnson’s hand.

Some successful pitchers are less than 6 feet tall. In the draft process, short pitchers often see their draft status impacted by their height.

There aren’t many infielders at 6-foot-5 or taller. One notable exception is Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds. He is showing up as a top candidate in the MVP odds. Oneil Cruz was the tallest infielder in MLB in 2024, but the 6’7” Cruz has been moved to the outfield.

The Tallest MLB Pitchers in History

Tallest MLB Pitchers of All Time

Before Johnson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the tallest pitchers to earn baseball’s greatest individual honor were Ferguson Jenkins and Don Drysdale, both listed at 6’5”. They are among the tallest MLB players of all time.

Cy Young, who won an MLB-record 511 games, stood 6-foot-2. That was the same height as Nolan Ryan, who owns the mark for 5714 career strikeouts.

How Tall Pitchers Influence the Game

It can be imposing seeing a 6-foot-8 Felix Bautista coming out of the bullpen to protect a late-inning lead for the Baltimore Orioles. Tyler Glasnow, who also stands 6-foot-8, has had trouble staying healthy. However, his frame helps him overpower hitters as the top-level starting pitcher. The MLB futures odds have Glasnow and the Dodgers as the team to beat.

Speaking of injuries, the Miami Marlins hope 6-foot-8 Eury Perez can return to his 2023 form when he struck out more than a batter per inning in his 19 starts before being sidelined.

Records and Achievements of the Tallest MLB Players

Notable Tallest MLB Player Achievements

Aaron Judge, who is 6-foot-7, set the American League record with 62 home runs during the 2022 season for the New York Yankees. He led the American League in home runs and RBIs during the 2022 and 2024 seasons to earn American League Most Valuable Player honors both years. The MLB odds have the Yankees favored in most of the games they play.

Randy Johnson went over 300 strikeouts five times during his Hall of Fame career. He did it in four seasons in a row, which is unthinkable in today’s MLB when pitchers rarely make it past the sixth inning. He is a five-time Cy Young Award winner and finished in the top three in Cy Young voting nine times in 14 seasons.

It doesn’t take long for Johnson’s name to be mentioned among the greatest baseball players of all time.

How Height Affects Baseball Performance and Strategy

Most of the tallest players in baseball are pitchers. Many of them have yet to leave their mark. However, a frame that resembles that of an NBA player is sure to get the scout’s attention.

Teams would love to find another Aaron Judge to man the outfield and send pitches out of every park in the majors. Dave Winfield, Dave Parker, and Jose Canseco are other former sluggers with formidable physiques.

Advantages and Challenges for the Tallest MLB Players

A 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, more than a few naysayers suggested that Cal Ripken Jr. couldn’t make it as a shortstop in the majors. With more than 3000 hits and 400 home runs and the record for consecutive games played, he silenced the doubters.

These days, rangy shortstops aren’t frowned upon. There aren’t many in the 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6 range.

One issue for tall pitchers is that the pitching coaches probably have no frame of reference to work with if the control is off for a pitcher who stands 6-foot-7 or taller.

Impact of Height on Field Positioning and Batting

Beginning in Little League, the tallest player tends to be at first base if they aren’t pitching. That provides a bigger target for throws from the other infield positions.

The speedy De La Cruz or 6-foot-3 Shohei Ohtani, coming off the first season with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, are examples of big guys with speed to burn.

Some lumbering first basemen and designated hitters aren’t threats to lead the league in stolen bases. Other MLB player props are available.