Baseball Reference Blog
Top 14 Tallest Players In MLB Ever
Posted by Andrew Weiser on February 23, 2024
Height in baseball can certainly help–think of a first baseman stretching out to make a play or a pitcher using leverage for more speed and power. However, unlike a sport like basketball, it isn’t a requirement for excellence. For example, José Altuve is one of the best infielders of his generation despite being 5’6”.
While the average height in MLB is surely higher than the national average, exceptionally tall players 6’8” and over are very rare. So who is the tallest of the tall? Here is the list of the tallest MLB players ever.
Jon Rauch
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-11, 290lb (211cm, 131kg)
Born: September 27, 1978 (Age: 45-126d) in Louisville, KY us
Draft: Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 3rd round of the 1999 MLB June Amateur Draft from Morehead State University (Morehead, KY).
High School: Oldham County HS (Buckner, KY)
School: Morehead State University (Morehead, KY)
Debut:
April 2, 2002
(Age 23-187d,
18,012th in major league history)
vs. SEA 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Last Game:
May 17, 2013
(Age 34-232d)
vs. ARI 1.0 IP, 4 H, 1 SO, 1 BB, 2 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2004 season
National Team: us USA (Pro,Oly)
Full Name: Jon Erich Rauch
Pronunciation: \RauSHH\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
6.2
43
40
3.90
556
11
62
595.0
475
1.240
Listed at 6’11” and 290lbs, pitcher Jon Rauch was not only the tallest pitcher in MLB during his playing days, but he is tied for the honor of the tallest MLB player ever. Rauch spent most of his career as a reliever but has 11 career starts to his name. In 2004 while playing for the Montreal Expos, Rauch hit a home run in a game against the Houston Astros. Though this was his only hit of the season he would make history as the tallest player to hit a home run in the majors. Rauch retired in 2013 after 11 major league seasons.
Sean Hjelle
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-11, 228lb (211cm, 103kg)
Team: San Francisco Giants (majors)
Born: May 7, 1997 (Age: 26-269d) in Fridley, MN us
Draft: Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2nd round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY).
High School: Mahtomedi HS (Mahtomedi, MN)
School: University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
Debut:
May 6, 2022
(Age 24-364d,
22,631st in major league history)
vs. STL 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2023 season
2024 Contract Status: Pre-Arb Eligible
Service Time (01/2024): 0.072 • Arb Eligible: 2027 • Free Agent: 2030
Full Name: Sean Anthony Hjelle
Pronunciation: \JELL-ee\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
-0.6
-1.0
2
3
1
3
6.52
6.17
15
23
0
0
0
0
29.0
54.0
31
59
1.759
1.704
While Rauch enjoyed the honor of being the single tallest player in major league history for nearly two decades, 6’11” pitcher Sean Hjelle made his debut for the San Francisco Giants on May 6, 2022, the day before his 25th birthday. Despite his physical stature and claim as the tallest pitcher in MLB currently, Hjelle has had limited success in his two seasons in the majors. He has pitched in 23 games, posting a 3-3 record and a 6.17 ERA.
Randy Johnson
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Left
6-10, 225lb (208cm, 102kg)
Born: September 10, 1963 (Age: 60-143d) in Walnut Creek, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft from Livermore HS (Livermore, CA) and the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round of the 1985 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
High School: Livermore HS (Livermore, CA)
School: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
September 15, 1988
(Age 25-005d,
15,564th in major league history)
vs. PIT 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 SO, 3 BB, 2 ER, W
Last Game:
October 4, 2009
(Age 46-024d)
vs. SDP 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2015.
(Voted by BBWAA on 534/549 ballots)
View Randy Johnson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1989 season
Agents: Alan Nero, Barry Meister
Full Name: Randall David Johnson
Nicknames: Big Unit
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
101.1
303
166
3.29
618
603
2
4135.1
4875
1.171
Standing at 6’10, pitcher Randy Johnson is the tallest player in the Hall of Fame. Johnson’s vicious slider allowed The Big Unit to pitch in the majors for a lengthy 22 season long career. Johnson is a five-time Cy Young winner including an incredible four consecutive with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Though he played for six franchises in his career, he is probably best remembered for his dominant eight seasons in Arizona, where he helped the team win their first World Series title, for which he was named World Series MVP.
Eric Hillman
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-10, 235lb (208cm, 106kg)
Born: April 27, 1966 (Age: 57-279d) in Gary, IN us
Draft: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 16th round of the 1987 MLB June Amateur Draft from Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL).
High School: Homewood-Flossmoor Community HS (Flossmoor, IL)
School: Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL)
Debut:
May 18, 1992
(Age 26-021d,
16,125th in major league history)
vs. SDP 1.0 IP, 3 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Last Game:
May 30, 1994
(Age 28-033d)
vs. COL 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 SO, 2 BB, 5 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1992 season
Full Name: John Eric Hillman
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
-0.9
4
14
4.85
49
36
0
232.0
96
1.422
Appearing in 49 games across three seasons with the New York Mets, 6’10” pitcher Eric Hillman was tied with Randy Johnson for the tallest player in baseball when he made his MLB debut in 1992. Unfortunately, Hillman’s height did not afford him the same type of success that Johnson saw. He finished his MLB career with a 4-14 record and a 4.85 ERA before playing a few seasons in Japan.
Chris Young
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-10, 255lb (208cm, 115kg)
Born: May 25, 1979 (Age: 44-251d) in Dallas, TX us
Draft: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 3rd round of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft from Princeton University (Princeton, NJ).
High School: Highland Park HS (Dallas, TX)
School: Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
Debut:
August 24, 2004
(Age 25-091d,
18,545th in major league history)
vs. MIN 5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 SO, 3 BB, 3 ER
Last Game:
June 17, 2017
(Age 38-023d)
vs. LAA 1.2 IP, 5 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 4 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2005 season
Agents: Jon Fetterolf • Previously: Lon Babby
Full Name: Christopher Ryan Young
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
17.5
79
67
3.95
271
221
1
1297.2
1062
1.258
Pitcher Chris Young became the fourth player 6’10” or taller when he made his major league debut for his hometown Texas Rangers in 2004. Young’s best individual season came in 2007 with the San Diego Padres. Named an all star, he posted a 3.12 ERA and struck out 167 batters during the season. In the postseason, he has a 2-0 record and 2.01 ERA and a World Series title with the 2015 Kansas City Royals. Young was the tallest pitcher in MLB the year he retired in 2017.
Aaron Slegers
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-10, 260lb (208cm, 117kg)
Born: September 4, 1992 (Age: 31-149d) in Long Beach, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 5th round of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from Indiana University Bloomington (Bloomington, IN).
School: Indiana University Bloomington (Bloomington, IN)
Debut:
August 17, 2017
(Age 24-347d,
21,496th in major league history)
vs. CLE 6.1 IP, 2 H, 3 SO, 2 BB, 2 ER
Last Game:
August 19, 2021
(Age 28-349d)
vs. DET 3.1 IP, 7 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 4 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2020 season
Agents: Octagon
Full Name: Aaron Allan Slegers
Nicknames: Slegs
Pronunciation: \SLEH-gurs\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
-0.3
3
4
5.46
49
6
3
89.0
59
1.360
6’10” righthander Aaron Slegers appeared in 49 games across five seasons for the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels. Slegers’ height was the most remarkable part of his career, as he last pitched at the major league level in 2021 and holds a 3-4 career record and a 5.46 ERA. Slegers formally announced his retirement in January 2023, citing an ongoing shoulder injury.
Mark Hendrickson
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-9, 240lb (206cm, 108kg)
Born: June 23, 1974 (Age: 49-222d) in Mount Vernon, WA us
Draft: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 13th round of the 1992 MLB June Amateur Draft from Mount Vernon HS (Mount Vernon, WA), the San Diego Padres in the 21st round of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Draft from Washington State University (Pullman, WA), the Atlanta Braves in the 32nd round of the 1994 MLB June Amateur Draft from Washington State University (Pullman, WA), the Detroit Tigers in the 16th round of the 1995 MLB June Amateur Draft from Washington State University (Pullman, WA), the Texas Rangers in the 19th round of the 1996 MLB June Amateur Draft from Washington State University (Pullman, WA) and the Toronto Blue Jays in the 20th round of the 1997 MLB June Amateur Draft.
High School: Mount Vernon HS (Mount Vernon, WA)
School: Washington State University (Pullman, WA)
Debut:
August 6, 2002
(Age 28-044d,
18,134th in major league history)
vs. SEA 0.1 IP, 3 H, 1 SO, 2 BB, 5 ER
Last Game:
August 28, 2011
(Age 37-066d)
vs. NYY 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 1 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2003 season
Agents: CAA Sports
Full Name: Mark Allan Hendrickson
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
4.2
58
74
5.03
328
166
1
1169.0
666
1.459
At 6’9” 240lbs, lefthander Mark Hendrickson was built more like LeBron James than your typical Major Leaguer. Perhaps then, it may be unsurprising that baseball was a second career for Hendrickson after a few years in the NBA. When he made his debut in August 2002, he not only became one of the tallest MLB players ever, but he joined the rare fraternity of 13 athletes to play in both the NBA and MLB. Hendrickson made the smart choice in choosing baseball over hoops: he pitched in the majors for 10 years, well into 30s.
Tony Clark
Position: First Baseman
Bats: Both • Throws: Right
6-8, 205lb (203cm, 92kg)
Born: June 15, 1972 (Age: 51-230d) in Newton, KS us
Draft: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1st round (2nd) of the 1990 MLB June Amateur Draft from Christian HS (El Cajon, CA).
High School: Christian HS (El Cajon, CA)
Schools: San Diego State University (San Diego, CA), University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
Debut:
September 3, 1995
(Age 23-080d,
16,766th in major league history)
vs. CLE 5 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
July 12, 2009
(Age 37-027d)
vs. FLA 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1996 season
Agents: John Boggs & Associates
Full Name: Anthony Christopher Clark
Nicknames: Tony the Tiger
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
12.3
4532
1188
251
.262
629
824
6
.339
.485
.824
112
6’8” first baseman Tony Clark made his MLB debut in 1995, becoming the tallest MLB player at the time who was not a pitcher. Clark had a great career, playing for 15 seasons and being named an all star in 2001. He owns 1,188 hits, 251 home runs and 824 RBI in his career.
Dellin Betances
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-8, 265lb (203cm, 120kg)
Born: March 23, 1988 (Age: 35-314d) in New York, NY us
Draft: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 8th round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft from Grand Street Campus (Brooklyn, NY).
High School: Grand Street Campus (Brooklyn, NY)
Debut:
September 22, 2011
(Age 23-183d,
20,117th in major league history)
vs. TBR 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 SO, 4 BB, 2 ER
Last Game:
April 7, 2021
(Age 33-015d)
vs. PHI 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2014 season
Agents: Excel Sports Management • Previously: Hendricks Sports
National Team: us USA (18U)
Full Name: Dellin Betances
Nicknames: D. Dawg, El Acido or Dellin Jay
Pronunciation: \DELL-in buh-TAN-sis\
Instagram: @dbetances68
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
11.1
21
23
2.53
374
1
36
394.1
633
1.073
6’8” reliever Dellin Betances spent his entire 10 year MLB career in his hometown of New York, pitching for both the Yankees and the Mets. As a Yankee, he was named an all star in four consecutive seasons between 2014 and 2017. He last pitched for the Mets in a single inning in 2021 before a season-ending shoulder surgery. He pitched in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 2022 before officially retiring in the late summer of that year.
Nate Freiman
Positions: First Baseman and Pinch Hitter
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-8, 245lb (203cm, 111kg)
Born: December 31, 1986 (Age: 37-031d) in Washington, DC us
Draft: Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 28th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft from Duke University (Durham, NC) and the San Diego Padres in the 8th round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft from Duke University (Durham, NC).
High School: Wellesley HS (Wellesley, MA)
School: Duke University (Durham, NC)
Debut:
April 3, 2013
(Age 26-093d,
20,338th in major league history)
vs. SEA 3 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 27, 2014
(Age 27-270d)
vs. TEX 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2013 season
Full Name: Nathan Samuel Freiman
Pronunciation: \FRY-man\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
0.0
277
71
9
.256
22
39
0
.309
.408
.717
100
Though his height may be notable at 6’8”, first baseman and pinch hitter Nate Freiman’s career numbers are quite pedestrian. The slugger played in 116 games in 2013 and 2014 for the Oakland A’s hitting .256 with nine home runs and 39 RBI. After playing a few seasons in the minors and in Mexico, Freiman retired from baseball in 2018.
Chris Martin
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-8, 224lb (203cm, 101kg)
Team: Boston Red Sox (majors)
Born: June 2, 1986 (Age: 37-243d) in Arlington, TX us
Draft: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 18th round of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft from Arlington HS (Arlington, TX) and the Colorado Rockies in the 21st round of the 2005 MLB June Amateur Draft from McLennan Community College (Waco, TX).
High School: Arlington HS (Arlington, TX)
School: McLennan Community College (Waco, TX)
Debut:
April 26, 2014
(Age 27-328d,
20,594th in major league history)
vs. LAD 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 SO, 1 BB, 0 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2015 season
2024 Contract Status: Signed thru 2024, 2 yrs/$17.5M (23-24)
Service Time (01/2024): 6.133 • Free Agent: 2025
Agents: ISE Baseball • Previously: SSG Baseball
Full Name: Christopher Riley Martin
Nicknames: C-Mart
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
3.2
7.6
4
13
1
17
1.05
3.36
55
324
0
0
3
12
51.1
302.1
46
307
1.032
1.131
Boston Red Sox veteran right arm Chris Martin is tied with Tyler Glastnow for the honor of second-tallest pitcher in MLB today. A journeyman, Martin has pitched for seven clubs in his eight-season career. Though he’s never made an All Star Game, Martin finished 12th in Cy Young voting in 2023. Martin will become a free agent following the 2024 season.
Tayron Guerrero
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-8, 225lb (203cm, 102kg)
Team: Los Angeles Angels (minors)
Born: January 9, 1991 (Age: 33-022d) in Boca Chica, Colombia co
Debut:
May 17, 2016
(Age 25-129d,
21,118th in major league history)
vs. SFG 2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2018 season
2024 Contract Status: Not Updated
Agents: TLA Worldwide
Full Name: Tayron Luis Guerrero
Nicknames: El De Bocachica
Pronunciation: \TY-rohn\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
-1.6
2
5
5.77
113
0
0
106.0
111
1.660
Colombian reliever Tayron Guerro leads the list of tallest MLB players ever among foreign-born players. The 6’8” righty has oscillated between MLB and other leagues but he pitched in the majors in 2016, 2018 and 2019. His career win-loss record is 2-5 and he holds a 5.77 major league ERA. Guerrero is currently pitching in the minors with the Los Angeles Angels organization.
Tyler Glasnow
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
6-8, 225lb (203cm, 102kg)
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers (majors)
Born: August 23, 1993 (Age: 30-161d) in Newhall, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 5th round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft from William S. Hart HS (Santa Clarita, CA).
High School: William S. Hart HS (Santa Clarita, CA)
Debut:
July 7, 2016
(Age 22-319d,
21,181st in major league history)
vs. STL 5.1 IP, 3 H, 5 SO, 2 BB, 4 ER, L
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2017 season
2024 Contract Status: Signed thru 2024, 2 yrs/$30.35M (23-24)
Service Time (01/2024): 6.158 • Free Agent: 2025
Agents: Wasserman
Full Name: Tyler Allen Glasnow
Nicknames: Mini Horse or Baby Giraffe
Pronunciation: \GLASS-now\
Instagram: @glasnowt
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
2.0
7.1
10
30
7
27
3.53
3.89
21
127
21
88
0
0
120.0
529.2
162
678
1.083
1.206
Newly acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting pitcher Tyler Glastnow is tied with Christ Martin as the second-tallest player in baseball at 6’8”. Glastnow struggled with the Pittsburgh Pirates early in his career but developed into a formidable starting pitcher in recent years with the Tampa Bay Rays. Through the 2023 season, Glastnow owns a 30-27 record and a 3.89 ERA. He has had limited success in the postseason, posting a 2-6 record in seven series, but the 2024 Dodgers have World Series aspirations.
Brad Wieck
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-8, 257lb (203cm, 116kg)
Team: Chicago Cubs (minors)
Born: October 14, 1991 (Age: 32-109d) in Amarillo, TX us
Draft: Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 29th round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft from Frank Phillips College (Borger, TX) and the New York Mets in the 7th round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma City, OK).
High School: San Jacinto Christian Academy (Amarillo, TX)
Schools: Frank Phillips College (Borger, TX), Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma City, OK)
Debut:
September 14, 2018
(Age 26-335d,
21,803rd in major league history)
vs. TEX 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2019 season
2024 Contract Status: Not Updated
Agents: CAA Sports
Full Name: Bradley Michael Wieck
Pronunciation: \wik\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
0.4
2
2
3.77
65
0
0
59.2
89
1.106
Pitching in 65 games across four seasons between 2018 and 2021, lefthander Brad Wieck is another pitcher on the list of tallest MLB players ever at 6’8”. Wieck is currently pitching in minors with the Chicago Cubs organization, having last pitched in the majors for the Cubbies in 2021.
Both standing at 6’11”, Jon Rauch and Sean Hjelle are the tallest players to ever play in the MLB.
There has never been a 7-foot tall MLB player yet. However, Loek van Mil was a 7’1” pitcher who played in the minor leagues and NPB, the tallest player in the history of professional baseball. Additionally, Jared Beck is a 7-foot tall pitcher in the Baltimore Orioles farm system who would potentially be the first 7-foot tall MLB player.
There have been four major league ballplayers listed at 6’10”, Randy Johnson, Eric Hillman, Chris Young and Aaron Slegers.
Former Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos third baseman Ryan Minor was 6’7” tall.
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