Baseball is one of the most challenging sports in the world. The ability to hit a round ball with a round bat – or fire a blazing fastball by hitters – is a great equalizer.
But how tall do you need to be to reach Major League Baseball? According to official data from The Baseball Cube, the average height of an MLB player is 6 feet 1.79 inches (187.44 centimeters) for the 2023 season.
That’s a third of an inch shorter than the average NFL player, and a full 4.71 inches smaller than the typical NBA player. And it’s only 4.6 inches taller than the average American male (5 feet 9.1 inches).
So, if you’re on the smaller side, baseball might give you a better shot of turning pro than the other major sports.
Let’s go around the horn and break down the average height of every MLB position.
Table of Contents
- Average Height of an MLB Pitcher
- Average Height of an MLB Catcher
- Average Height of an MLB First Baseman
- Average Height of an MLB Second Baseman
- Average Height of an MLB Third Baseman
- Average Height of an MLB Shortstop
- Average Height of an MLB Outfielder
- Average Height of an MLB Designated Hitter
- MLB Size FAQs
Average Height of an MLB Pitcher
The average height of an MLB pitcher is 6 feet 2.63 inches (189.57 centimeters) for the 2023 season.
On average, pitchers are the tallest position in baseball today. But don’t be fooled.
There is a full 16-inch height difference between the tallest MLB pitcher (6’11” Sean Hjelle) and his 5’7″ counterpart Marcus Stroman. In fact, there are more than 20 MLB pitchers listed under 6 feet tall.
So at the end of the day, size is a negligible factor on the mound. Big league pitchers succeed because of their pinpoint accuracy, pitch movement, velocity, and mental toughness.
Average Height of an MLB Catcher
The average height of an MLB catcher is 6 feet 0.38 inches (183.84 centimeters) for the 2023 season.
Catchers are the captain of the field – charged with calling pitches, aligning the defense, keeping baserunners in check, and much more. At the major league level, the best catchers can hit, throw runners out, block wild pitches, and play the majority of the 162-game season.
There is a 9-inch height difference between the shortest and tallest catchers in the league. 5’8″ Francisco Mejia and Alejandro Kirk are dwarfed by 6’5″ backstops Jacob Stallings and Riley Adams.
Height has little bearing on big league success at this position especially – just compare Kirk’s 2022 numbers to every other catcher in the league.
Average Height of an MLB First Baseman
The average height of an MLB first baseman is 6 feet 2.06 inches (188.11 centimeters) for the 2023 season.
First basemen are known for their power – plain and simple. Look at the home run leaderboard for any MLB season and you’ll likely see first basemen occupying the majority of the list.
Listed at 5’9″, Cesar Salazar is the smallest first baseman in the league today. He’s 8 inches shorter than 6’5″ powerhouses Matt Olson, Freddie Freeman, and Garrett Cooper.
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Average Height of an MLB Second Baseman
The average height of an MLB second baseman is 5 feet 11.5 inches (181.64 centimeters) for the 2023 season.
Statistically the shortest position in MLB, the keystone is home to some of the smallest players in baseball history.
Standing at 5’6″, Jose Altuve and Tony Kemp are the two smallest second basemen – and players – in the bigs. They are contrasted by 6’5″ David Hensley, the tallest second baseman in the league (who is coincidentally Altuve’s teammate in Houston).
Average Height of an MLB Third Baseman
The average height of an MLB third baseman is 6 feet 0.8 inches (184.91 centimeters) for the 2023 season.
Coming in at a hair over six feet, the hot corner boasts some of the best hitters and Gold Glove defenders in Major League Baseball.
6’5″ third basemen Alec Bohm, Kris Bryant, and Jordan Walker are a full 9 inches taller than Josh Harrison, the league’s smallest corner infielder (5’8″).
Average Height of an MLB Shortstop
The average height of an MLB shortstop is 6 feet 0.44 inches (184.22 centimeters) for the 2023 season.
Shortstops are expected to be the strongest defenders in the infield – making diving stops, turning double plays, and firing the ball from deep in the hole. But these days, they’re expected to hit too.
Established stars like Trea Turner (6’2″) have set the bar high for up-and-comers like Wander Franco (5’10”) and Anthony Volpe (5’11”) at the position.
There is a 12-inch height disparity between the tallest (6’7″ Oneil Cruz) and smallest (5’7″ Eguy Rosario) shortstop in the league. However, that gap can get even wider if Mets prospect Jett Williams (5’6″) gets called up.
Average Height of an MLB Outfielder
The average height of an MLB outfielder is 6 feet 1.26 inches (186.08 centimeters) for the 2023 season.
Here’s how it shakes out at all three outfield spots:
- Average Left Fielder = 6 feet 0.83 inches (184.97 centimeters)
- Average Center Fielder = 6 feet 0.96 inches (185.31 centimeters)
- Average Right Fielder = 6 feet 1.02 inches (185.47 centimeters)
While most expect right fielders to be taller than the rest, it’s interesting to see center fielders coming in a bit taller than left fielders.
MLB outfielders are an interesting bunch, and probably the most diverse position group in terms of skillset. You have smaller guys like Cedric Mullins (5’8″) and Mookie Betts (5’9″) who are legitimate 5-tool players. Then you have outfielders who are pretty much known for one thing, like 6’5″ Joey Gallo (power) and 5’10” Myles Straw (defense).
The tallest MLB outfielder is Aaron Judge (6’7″) who towers over Tony Kemp (5’6″) and Masataka Yoshida (5’8″). There is a 13-inch height difference between Judge and Kemp.
Average Height of an MLB Designated Hitter
The average height of an MLB designated hitter (DH) is 6 feet 2.06 inches (188.11 centimeters) for the 2023 season.
The DH has been around since 1973 but wasn’t adopted league-wide until 2022. Some of the greatest hitters of all time were penciled in as everyday DHs – like Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz.
At the MLB level, these guys have the luxury of not having to worry about defense. But that makes the position all the more competitive. After all, there are only 30 DH spots up for grabs.
When considering the DH, most baseball fans think of towering power hitters like Giancarlo Stanton (6’6″) and Yordan Alvarez (6’5″). But there are smaller designated hitters around the league too – like Alejandro Kirk (5’8″), Randy Arozarena (5’11”), and Ty France (5’11”) to name a few.
MLB Size FAQs
No, of course not. Pro ballplayers players come in all shapes and sizes. Looking for inspiration? Check out our list of the shortest MLB players of all time.
6’11” pitcher Sean Hjelle is the tallest player in Major League Baseball as of the 2023 MLB season. Hjelle is tied for the tallest MLB player in history with former MLB pitcher Jon Rauch.
The median height of all MLB players is 6’2″ (187.96 centimeters). As a reminder, the median is the middle value in a data set.
The San Francisco Giants have the biggest height disparity of all MLB teams in 2023. There is a 13-inch height difference between 6’11” pitcher Sean Hjelle (the tallest player in the league) and 5’10” infielder Thairo Estrada.
Weighing in at 150 pounds, 5’7″ middle infielder Eguy Rosario is the lightest player in Major League Baseball as of 2023.
Listed at 285 pounds, 6’6″ right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah is the heaviest player in Major League Baseball as of 2023.
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