The tallest players in the MLB always look intimidating when they can reach triple digits on the radar gun or can blast the ball over 400 feet over the fence.
The tall players in baseball have an advantage. Tall pitchers have bigger strides when they pitch the ball, so the ball can get to the plate faster. Tall hitters tend to generate more power because of their large limbs.
Former pitcher Jon Rauch is tied for being the tallest player in MLB history at 6-foot-11.
So, who are the tallest players in MLB history? Who were those intimidating figures that littered the league throughout its storied history?
With the introduction of the ABS Challenge System, players had to undergo strict measurement procedures before the start of the season. So, here are the tallest players in the MLB in 2026.
| Rank | Player | Height | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Jon Rauch |
6’11” | 2002-2013 |
| 2 |  Sean Hjelle |
6’11” | 2022-Present |
| 3 |  Randy Johnson |
6’10” | 1988-2009 |
| 4 |  Eric Hillman |
6’10” | 1992-1994 |
| 5 |  Chris Young |
6’10” | 2004-2017 |
| 6 |  Andrew Sisco |
6’10” | 2005-2007 |
| 7 |  Andrew Brackman |
6’10” | 2011 |
| 8 |  Aaron Slegers |
6’10” | 2017-2021 |
| 9 |  Mark Hendrickson |
6’9″ | 2002-2011 |
| 10 | Bailey Ober |
6’9″ | 2021-Present |
Jon Rauch | 6’11” | 2002-2013
Former pitcher Jon Rauch is tied for being the tallest player in MLB history at 6-foot-11. He played for numerous teams including the Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets and Miami Marlins.
Rauch was primarily a relief pitcher in the MLB and he won an Olympic gold medal in 2000 with Team USA.
Sean Hjelle | 6’11” | 2022-2025Pitcher Sean Hjelle is tied for being the tallest player in MLB history as he stands at 6-foot-11. Hjelle spent seven years in the San Francisco Giants’ system after being drafted by them in the second round in 2018. He pitched 93 games in the big leagues, recording a 5.11 ERA in 149.2 innings pitched.
The tall righty is currently in his first season with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Randy Johnson | 6’10” | 1988-2009Randy Johnson was one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in the MLB and he is one of the tallest players in MLB history. Johnson played for six teams, but was mostly associated with the Seattle Mariners and Diamondbacks.
Johnson was known for his high velocity. His fastball reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Johnson won five Cy Young Awards and pitched two no-hitters and one perfect game in his career.
Eric Hillman | 6’10” | 1992-1994Eric Hillman spent his entire MLB career with the Mets primarily as a starting pitcher and he is one of the tallest players in MLB history.
It was impressive that Hillman made it all the way to the MLB considering he was drafted in the 16th round. He also played professional baseball in Japan, where he found more success.
Chris Young | 6’10” | 2004-2017Chris Young had a pretty lengthy career as he was one of the tallest players in MLB history. He played for Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals, Mets and Mariners primarily as a starting pitcher.
Young was selected as an All-Star in 2007, won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2014 and won the World Series with the Royals in 2015.
Andrew Sisco | 6’10” | 2005-2007Andrew Sisco played in the MLB for three seasons and he is one of the tallest players in MLB history at 6-foot-10. Sisco played for two teams – the Royals and White Sox.
Sisco was a relief pitcher during his MLB career. He also played professional baseball in China and South Korea following his time in the MLB.
Andrew Brackman | 6’10” | 2011Despite being one of the tallest players in MLB history, Andrew Brackman had a very brief MLB career. He spent one season with the New York Yankees.
Brackman appeared in only three games for the Yankees, all in relief. He signed minor league contracts with the Cincinnati Reds and White Sox following his Yankees’ tenure.
Aaron Slegers | 6’10” | 2017-2021Former pitcher Aaron Slegers was one of the tallest players in MLB history as he played for the Twins, Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels.
Slegers was primarily a relief pitcher during his MLB career. He pitched in 49 career games and had an earned run average of 5.46.
Mark Hendrickson | 6’9” | 2002-2011Mark Hendrickson is arguably the most interesting player on the list of tallest players in MLB history. Prior to his MLB career, Hendrickson played in the NBA for four seasons.
After that, Hendrickson made his MLB debut at 28 years old and he played for 10 seasons. Hendrickson played for the Blue Jays, Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Marlins and Baltimore Orioles.
Bailey Ober | 6’9” | 2021-PresentStanding at 6-foot-9, Bailey Ober is one of the tallest players in MLB history and one of the tallest players in the MLB today.
Ober was drafted in the 12th round of the MLB Draft in 2017 by the Twins and he still plays for the Twins today. He is a consistent member of the starting rotation for the Twins.
| Rank | Player | Height | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bailey Ober |
6’9″ | 2021-Present |
| 2 |  Eury Perez |
6’8″ | 2023-Present |
| 3 |  Tyler Glasnow |
6’8″ | 2016-Present |
| 4 |  Trevor Megill |
6’8″ | 2021-Present |
| 5 |  Bryan Hudson |
6’8″ | 2010-Present |
| 6 | Jackson Rutledge |
6’8″ | 2023-Present |
| 7 | Joe Boyle |
6’8″ | 2023-Present |
| 8 | James Wood |
6’7″ | 2024-Present |
| 9 |  Aaron Judge |
6’7″ | 2016-Present |
| 10 |  Oneil Cruz |
6’7″ | 2021-Present |
Bailey Ober | 6’9” | 2021-PresentTwins pitcher Bailey Ober is tied for second on the list of tallest players in the MLB today. The righty made his debut in 2021 and he has only played for the Twins.
Ober has been a starting pitcher for the Twins ever since his debut. He has over 500 strikeouts in his career.
Eury Perez | 6’8” | 2023-PresentMarlins pitcher Eury Perez is one of the tallest players in the MLB today. The starting pitcher is in his third full season with the franchise after making his debut during the 2023 season.
Perez signed with the Marlins as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. He started 20 games in 2025, recording a 4.25 ERA with a 7-6 record.
Tyler Glasnow | 6’8” | 2016-PresentUp next in our list of tallest MLB players today is Tyler Glasnow of the Dodgers. The starting pitcher has played for the Pirates, Rays and now the Dodgers in his MLB career.
Glasnow has had a lot of injuries in his career, but he remains a solid starter in the top of the rotation.
Trevor Megill | 6’8” | 2021-PresentTrevor Megill also plays for the Brewers and is one of the tallest players in the MLB today at 6-foot-8. He’s played for the Cubs, Twins and Brewers in his MLB career so far.
Megill is primarily a relief pitcher and he racked up 21 saves in the 2024 season. He is a reliable pitcher out of the Brewers bullpen.
Bryan Hudson | 6’8” | 2021-PresentWhite Sox left-handed relief pitcher Bryan Hudson is one of the tallest players in the MLB today. He’s played for the Cubs, Dodgers, Brewers, and signed with Chicago last winter.
While he is tall, it took Hudson several years to make it up to the majors. The journeyman appeared in 65 games before the 2026 season.
Jackson Rutledge | 6’8” | 2023-PresentSticking with the theme of pitchers, Jackson Rutledge of the Nationals is one of the tallest players in the MLB today at 6-foot-8.
Following his debut in September 2023, the former first round draft pick transitioned from a starter to a relief pitcher and has been in the bullpen ever since for the Nationals.
Joe Boyle | 6’8” | 2023-PresentNext in our list of tallest MLB players today is Rays starting pitcher Joe Boyle. He made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2023, but was traded to the Rays before the 2025 season.
Boyle is currently in the starting rotation for the Rays. He started 13 games in 2025.
James Wood | 6’7” | 2024-PresentOne of only three position players on the list of tallest players in the MLB today is Nationals outfielder James Wood.
The 6-foot-7 Wood made his MLB debut in July 2024 and he is a big piece of the Nationals rebuild. He was originally drafted by the Padres, but got traded to the Nationals. He’s having a breakthrough season early in 2026.
Aaron Judge | 6’7” | 2016-PresentBecause of the ABS changes and a few taller pitches from last season starting in the minors, Aaron Judge cracks the list of the tallest players in the MLB today.
The 6-foot-7 Judge is one of the two best offensive players in baseball along with Shohei Ohtani. He’s an intimidating force at the plate who makes the bat look like a toothpick.
Oneil Cruz | 6’7” | 2021-PresentPirates center fielder Oneil Cruz broke into the majors as a shortstop, a position with an average height of just under 6 feet. Now, he’s the tallest center fielder in MLB today.
Cruz is a valuable asset for Pittsburgh, primarily at the plate. He has relatively poor defensive metrics despite the ground he covers, but is coming off of two consecutive 20 home run seasons.
The tallest player in the MLB right now is Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober, who stands at 6-foot-9. The right-hander and 12th round pick made his MLB debut on May 18, 2021 for the Twins. Ober has been pretty successful in his MLB career, garnering over 500 strikeouts and 500 innings pitched.
The average height of MLB players is 6-foot-2, but average heights tend to vary by position. For example, pitchers dominate the list of tallest players in the MLB today and they are 6-foot-3 on average. On the other hand, second basemen are among the shortest players as they have an average size of 5-foot-11.
The average height of MLB players has changed over the years, because, in general, trends show an increase in height. In the late 1800s, the average height of an MLB player was 5-foot-9, while the average height of an MLB player today is 6-foot-2. The average height has increased about five or six inches.
Former MLB pitcher Randy Johnson is 6-foot-10 and he is one of the tallest players in MLB history. He was aptly nicknamed “The Big Unit” during his playing days because of his intimidating stature on the mound and blazing fastballs. Johnson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Eddie Gaedel is the shortest player in MLB history at 3-foot-7 and he only weighed 65 pounds. He appeared in just one game in his MLB career for the St. Louis Browns when they played the Detroit Tigers on August 19, 1951. Gaedel had one plate appearance and walked on four straight pitches.
While he is currently playing, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who stands at 6-foot-4, is one of the best baseball players of all time. In 2024, he became the sole member of the 50 home runs-50 stolen bases club in a single season. He also pitches for the Dodgers when healthy.
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