Baseball has seen its share of towering athletes, particularly among pitchers who can use their long arms and high release point to create difficult angles for hitters. The MLB has fielded some remarkably tall players throughout its history.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest baseball player ever is Jon Rauch at 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest baseball players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Baseball Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jon Rauch | 6 ft 11 in (211 cm) | United States |
| 2 | Sean Hjelle | 6 ft 11 in (211 cm) | United States |
| 3 | Chris Young | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | United States |
| 4 | Randy Johnson | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | United States |
| 5 | Andrew Brackman | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | United States |
| 6 | Tyler Glasnow | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | United States |
| 7 | Dellin Betances | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | United States |
| 8 | Nate Freiman | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | United States |
| 9 | Adam Wainwright | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | United States |
| 10 | Aaron Judge | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | United States |
1. Jon Rauch — 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
Country: United States
Jon Rauch is the tallest player in MLB history. The right-handed pitcher played for several teams including the Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Toronto Blue Jays from 2002 to 2013. Rauch recorded 55 career saves.
2. Sean Hjelle — 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
Country: United States
Sean Hjelle is a towering right-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, matching the record for tallest MLB player. He made his major league debut in 2022. Hjelle was drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
3. Chris Young — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: United States
Chris Young was a right-handed pitcher who played for six MLB teams from 2004 to 2017. His extreme height created a steep downward angle on his pitches. Young won a World Series ring with the Kansas City Royals in 2015.
4. Randy Johnson — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: United States
Randy Johnson, “The Big Unit,” is one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. He won five Cy Young Awards, struck out 4,875 batters, and threw a perfect game in 2004 at age 40. Johnson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
5. Andrew Brackman — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: United States
Andrew Brackman was a right-handed pitcher drafted by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He was a two-sport athlete who also played basketball at North Carolina State. Brackman never reached the major leagues.
6. Tyler Glasnow — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: United States
Tyler Glasnow is a towering right-handed pitcher who has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Known for his powerful fastball and curveball, he signed one of the largest pitching contracts in MLB history in 2024.
7. Dellin Betances — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: United States
Dellin Betances was a dominant relief pitcher for the New York Yankees from 2011 to 2019. He was a four-time All-Star selection and struck out batters at an elite rate. Betances used his height to create a steep downward angle on his fastball.
8. Nate Freiman — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: United States
Nate Freiman was a first baseman who played for the Oakland Athletics in 2013 and 2014. He was one of the tallest position players in MLB history. Freiman hit .270 in his first major league season.
9. Adam Wainwright — 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Country: United States
Adam Wainwright was a cornerstone pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2005 to 2023. He was a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner. Wainwright finished his career with 195 wins and over 2,000 strikeouts.
10. Aaron Judge — 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Country: United States
Aaron Judge is one of the tallest position players in modern MLB and the AL single-season home run record holder with 62 in 2022. He plays outfield for the New York Yankees and was the 2022 AL MVP. Judge uses his height and power to devastating effect.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these baseball giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Height in baseball is particularly advantageous for pitchers, giving them a higher release point and longer stride. These towering players demonstrate that extraordinary height can be a powerful weapon on the diamond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest MLB player ever?
Jon Rauch and Sean Hjelle share the record at 6 ft 11 in (211 cm), making them the tallest players in MLB history.
Why are so many tall baseball players pitchers?
Height gives pitchers a higher release point, creating a steeper downward angle that makes pitches harder to hit. Longer arms also generate more velocity.
What is the average height of an MLB player?
The average MLB player stands about 6 ft 1 in (185 cm), though pitchers tend to be slightly taller on average.