Five Tallest MLB Players Ever

Basketball typically boasts the tallest athletes, but baseball is no stranger to celebrating towering talent. A select few MLB players have stood head and shoulders above their peers. Instead of finding these athletes posting up on the low block on an NBA court, these five tallest players in MLB history – all pitchers – combine physical presence with unique deliveries and skill sets.

=3. Eric Hillman – 6’10”

Debuting for the New York Mets in 1992, Eric Hillman was, at one moment, the tallest MLB player of his time. Standing 6’10” and weighing 235 pounds, the left-handed pitcher brought a striking presence to the mound. However, Hillman’s MLB career was brief and inconsistent. Over three seasons, he appeared in 49 games (36 starts), posting a 4-14 record with a 4.85 ERA. While his performance was far from dominant, Hillman pursued professional baseball in Japan, where his size and left-handed delivery found more success. Though his MLB legacy is limited, Hillman paved the way for future skyscraper pitchers like Randy Johnson.

=3. Chris Young – 6’10”

Chris Young not only reached the top physically at 6’10” but also found consistent success during his 13-year MLB career. The Princeton University graduate debuted in 2004 with the Texas Rangers, but his best years came with the San Diego Padres. In 2007, Young was named an All-Star, posting a career-best 3.12 ERA while striking out 167 batters. Later, in 2015, he became a key postseason contributor for the Kansas City Royals, earning a World Series title. Young’s career totals include 79 wins, 1,062 strikeouts and a 3.95 ERA. Currently, Young is still working magic in the game as the general manager and president of baseball operations for the Texas Rangers. Young spearheaded the team’s 2024 World Series-winning design.

=3. Randy Johnson – 6’10”

Nicknamed “The Big Unit,” Randy Johnson is the tallest player enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. At 6’10” and 225 pounds, Johnson dominated hitters with his fastball and slider. Over a 22-season career, Johnson amassed 303 wins, 4,875 strikeouts and five Cy Young Awards. His peak came during his eight-season stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he won four consecutive Cy Youngs (1999-2002) and a World Series MVP award in 2001. Johnson’s intimidating presence and elite performance make him not only one of the tallest players in MLB history but one of its greatest pitchers, period.

=1. Sean Hjelle – 6’11”

Current San Francisco Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle is the tallest active MLB player. Standing at an imposing 6’11”, Hjelle made his debut in 2022 and has since appeared in 81 games across three seasons. While his performance has been up and down, highlighted by a 6-7 career record and a 4.81 ERA, Hjelle remains a young arm with potential. His stature has helped him carve out a spot in the Giants’ bullpen. Whether he reaches greater heights statistically remains to be seen, but his claim as one of the tallest players ever is already secure.

=1. Jon Rauch – 6’11”

Topping this list is Jon Rauch, whose 6’11” frame made him an unforgettable figure on the mound throughout his 11-year career. Rauch debuted in 2002 with the Chicago White Sox and transitioned into a dependable reliever, amassing 43 wins, 62 saves and a 3.90 ERA across 556 appearances. A notable career moment came in 2004 when Rauch hit a home run for the Montreal Expos, becoming the tallest player in MLB history to go deep. Rauch retired in 2013 and remains the tallest player in MLB history.