50+ Shortest MLB Player: Shortest Basketball Player 2024

Regarding Major League Baseball (MLB), the player’s height makes a great difference in the field. The average height for most MLB players is about 6 feet 1 inch. However, there are players with less than 6 feet 1 inch in height and have excellent performance like their taller counterparts. These players have shown great skills and have excelled well in baseball despite their height. This detailed guide explores 50+ shortest MLB players. We will list fifty of them who are either active, retired or those who have ever participated in the league. Let’s get started!

Top 50 Shortest MLB Player

Height is considered an advantage in MLB, but many shorter players have proved that height is not a determinant for success in baseball. Below are the top 50 shortest MLB Players.

1.     Jorge Barossa

Jorge is the shortest MLB player right now with a height of 1.75m. This player made it to the league as Arizona Diamondbacks this year in April. He is a 23-year-old player born in Puerto Cabello in Venezuela.

2.     Ryan Bliss

Ryan is a player for the Seattle Marines who stands 5 ft. 7 inches tall. This height makes him one of the shortest current MLB players. He is an excellent player as a shortstop, second baseman, and left fielder.

3.     Gustavo Campero

Gustavo is an outfield player for the Los Angeles Angels who started as a catcher for the New York Yankees when he started his career. In international competitions, he represents his country, Columbia. Towering at 5 ft. 6 inches, Gustavo is a short MLB player who rocks the game despite his height.

4.     Dominic Fletcher

Before he joined the Chicago White Sox, Dominic was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has a brother named David who is also a MLB player. This 27-year-old player stands at 5 ft 6 inches, and this counts him as one of the shortest baseball players in the world.

5.     Jose Altuve

His family, which consists of his wife Nina, and one daughter, lives in Pearland, Texas. He is an open born-again Christian who likes to talk about his faith. His career journey with the only team he has ever played with, Houston Astros has been characterized by many awards and achievements. He is an MLB player under 6 ft whose specific height is 5 ft. 6 inches.

6.     Eguy Rosario

Rosalio is an infielder baseball player aged 25 years. He started competing in the MLB leagues in 2022 as a player for the San Diego Padres. He is still a member of that team and can be considered the shortest active MLB player due to his frame of 1.75m.

7.     Marcus Stroman

Marcus is a player for the New York Yankees that towers 5 ft.7 inches. He has several tattoos on his body including that of his grandmother on the left shoulder. He pursued a degree in sociology at Duke University.

8.     Ozzie Albies

He has been a player for Atlanta Braves the team since 2017. This 5 ft. 8 inches guy is a short pro baseball player who won the National League Silver Slugger Award for the second baseman two times. Additionally, in 2021, he won the Heart and Hustle Award.

9.     Lulsangel Acuna

Acuna, a Venezuelan young man with a frame of 1.71m is making waves in the world of baseball due to his skills and determination.  In his family, baseball is not just a game but a way of life. His brother is a player for the Minnesota Twins and their father was a player too.

10.   Chadwick Tromp

The baseball professional journey of Trop started from playing ball in the beaches of Aruba to standing behind the plate of MLB. His participation in the major leagues started with the St Francisco Giants team. Right now, he is a 5’8 MLB player for the Atlanta Braves.

11.   Michael Stefanic

Westmont College sharpened the skills of this player, and he qualified to join the MLB in 2022. He joined the leagues through the Los Angeles Angels. He is an MLB player under 6 feet, fuelled with passion for the game and determination to carve his path to success.

12.   Pedro Leon

Before he became a player for the Houston Astros, Pedro used to play with the Huracanes de Mayabeque, where he honed his skills. Currently, he is among the MBL players under 5 ft. 10 inches as he is 1.78m. Despite his height, he is going on with his baseball career journey with courage, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of excellence.

13.   Nick Allen

Allen is the husband of Savannah Boone, who is the daughter of a former professional baseball player named Brett Boone. He is among the shortest current MLB player with a height of 1.71m. Since he joined MLB, he has been a player for the Oakland Athletics.

14.   Samad Taylor

Samuel was a well-experienced player before he retired in 1963. In his six baseball career seasons, he played a total of 473 games. During that period, he was playing for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland India. When he was playing for these teams, he was considered one of the shortest baseball players as he was towering at 6 ft. 2 inches.

15.   Masataka Yoshida

Masataka started this baseball career with the Orix Buffaloes in the Japan Nippon professional baseball. He then took his talent to the Boston Red Sox and has been the shortest pitcher in MLB on the team ever since, with a height of 1.73m. Moreover, he is known for his versatile ability as he can also play at the left field position.

16.   Nick Madrigal

Nick has a twin brother named Ty who also plays baseball and is currently a player for the White Sox. Alisa Sandgren is the lucky woman who has managed to win this young player’s heart. He is the smallest MLB player standing at 5 ft. 7 inches who made his debut in MLB in 2020 through the Chicago Cubs.

17.   Enmanuel Valdez

Boston Red Sox of MLB is lucky to have Emmanuel as its player since 2023 when he made his debut. He might be the shortest baseball player in the team standing 5 ft. 8 inches. However, his passion for the game and determination to succeed is a great asset for his team.

18.   Yuki Matsui

Anna Ishibashi is the wife of the shortest pitcher in MLB in the San Diego Padres team, whose height is 1.73m. They are a couple blessed with a daughter and a son. He made his appearance with the Nippon Professional Baseball from 2014 to 2023 before joining MLB.

19.   Leonardo Rivas

Leonardo might be the shortest active MLB player in the Seattle Mariners as he has a frame of 1.78m. His name must be ringing in the ears of baseball fans since he made his MLB debut on April 28, 2024. This is due to his great passion for success regardless of his height.

20.   Alejandro Kirk

Kirk was born a baseball player, and he began playing at the age of three. His passion for playing as a catcher was because of his older brother and Juan Manuel Jr, who were also catchers. That is how he grew up to be a great though short MLB player in history with a height of 1.73m. He has a daughter together with his partner Sophia who was born in February 2023.

21.   Tony Kemp

When Tony was in high school, he met the love of his life, Mitchell, who was of Chinese descent and born to a Canadian mother and Malaysian father. The couple is blessed with two daughters and they are a happy family. He was the shortest MLB player right now as he stands 5 feet 6 inches.

22.   Kolten Wong

Kolten Wong used to play for various teams in MLB before deciding to play as a free agent. He is the husband of Alissa Noll, his campus sweetheart and they have a son. He is a caring gentle man who created a fundraising project to help the affected families during the Lower Puna Eruption. He is a short  1.7m player who bats with his left hand and throws with his right hand.

23.   Donavan Solano

Donavan joined the MLB in 2012 with the Merlins. Before 2024, he sharpened his skills in several teams such as the Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds. Right now, all his talents are in San Diego Padres where he is among the MLB shortest players in history with a height of 1.75m.

24.   Cedric Mullins

After three years in MLB when he joined as a player for the Baltimore Orioles, Cedric won the Silver Slugger Award and was a MLB All-Star in 2021. He is the smallest baseball player on his team as he stands 1.75m. This guy was born in North Carolina in August 1994.

25.   Josh Harrison

Josh is a two-time All-Star player in MLB who now plays as a free agent. Since he made his debut in MLB, he has played for six teams till 2023. His wife is called Brittney and they have two kids together. Even though he left the league, he is still one of the shortest players in MLB history with a height of 1.73m.

26.   Francisco Mejia

Francisco is a former MLB player who used to play for the Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, and Tampa Bay Rays. He is the shortest player in MLB history who left the league and joined the Milwaukee Brewers. This is because of the height of 1.7m.

27.   Willie Calhoun

Before Willie decided to be a free-agent player in 2024, he was a member of the Los Angeles Club. His walk in the MLB did not only involve destination to the club. He also played for the Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, and New York. While playing for these teams, he could be considered the shortest MLB player, as he was 1.73m tall.

28.   Bob Emmerich

After a long period in the minor league career, where he spent much of his time in Bridgeport Americans, Bob finally made it to the MLB in 1923. He joined this big league with the Boston Braves when he turned 32 years old. He appeared in 13 games and was noted as the shortest MLB player who stood 5 ft. 3 inches.

29.   Jesse Chaves

Together with Crystal, they are the parents of Criste, Stevee, and Dannie. He is the shortest player in MLB history with a frame of 1.88m and has been traded the most. For instance, at the beginning of the 2024 season, he has been traded 11 times.

30.   Stubby Magner

His real name is Edmund Burke, and he is one of the short baseball players to play in MLB for a period not exceeding one year. This 5 ft. 3 inches guy joined MLB on July 12, 1911, and left the league the same year on September 30th. He was the second baseman who delivered excellent performances.

31.   Lee Viau

Within the four-year journey that he took with the MLB, Lee played for four tea, MS and the last one was the Boston Beaneaters. He was the shortest pitcher in MLB history and was regarded as the best-looking baseball player of his time. This 5 ft. 4 inches player was not only short but also a pro player who had enough experience in baseball due to his walk with the four major teams.

32.   Mookie Betts

Becoming a player for the Los Angeles Dodgers not only improved Mookie’s skills in baseball but also made him wealthier. This is because he was able to buy his family a mansion worth 7.6 million in Los Angeles after joining the team. This family is built together with Brianna Hammonds, with whom he began dating while in high school. The couple has one child who was born in November 2018.

33.   Jose Ramirez

This 32-year-old player,r standing at 5 ft.9 inches, signed with the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent before he joined the MLB with the Cleveland Guardians. Rosedith Almonte is the wife of this player and they have two children named Isabella and JJ. He has a brother named  Hanley Báez Ramírez who is also a baseball player.

34.   Sonny Gray

Sonny has showcased his talent in several teams, the current one being the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the shortest current MLB player standing at 5 ft. 10 inches who was born in Nashville,  Tennessee,e in 1989. He has a family with Jessica consisting of two kids who live in his birthplace, Nashville.

35.   Brandon Lowe

While Brando was pursuing his course at the University of Maryland, he met Madison Marti, n who was also an athlete, e and the two started a relationship. After school, they got married and were blessed with one son. When he is not in the field, he resides in Nashville with his family. After one year of joining MLB, this 6 ft. 4 inches stud became MLB All-Star in 2019.

36.   Jean Segura

In 2014, Segura almost left baseball career due to frustration after losing his nine-year-old child. His relationship with the child’s mother did not continue. He married another woman named Kellen and they have three children. He is a free agent playing as an infielder whose height is 5 ft. 10 inches.

37.   Adam Frazier

Adam is an all-rounded player who can play as a second baseman, third baseman, and outfielder. His MLB career journey involves several clubs the current one being   Kansas City Royals. With his height of 178cm, he is probably the shortest basketball player in his team.

38.   Andrew Benintendi

Andrew is an Italian descendant born in Cincinnati United States. He is a talented player who likes to recreate in St. Louis when he is not in the field. Chicago White Sox is the home to this player who takes the outfield position. He is an MLB player under 5 feet 10 inches whose frame is 1.79m.

39.   Eduardo Escobar

Eduardo is a free agent who was previously a part of Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Athe last team he played with. He is a product of single mother nurture who has grown to be a talented guy despite being among the shortest players in MLB with a height of 1.79m. He has a family consisting of one wife and five children who live in Miami during the offseason. One interesting fact about him is that he is afraid of cats.

40.   Christian Vazquez

Vasquez is currently a catcher for the Minnesota Twins and is lucky to have Vasquez as a catcher. Before, his talent was evident in the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros. He is a short MLB player standing at 5 ft. 7 inches who credits his development in the field to the Molina brothers, who were also players. Since 2018, he has been in a marriage union with Gabriella.

41.   Kirby Yates

Yates is the husband to Ashlee and his hobbies are surfing and golfing. After five years of joining the MLB, he was finally made to be an All-Star 2019 champion. Texas Rangers is not the only team he has taken his talents to but also other MLB clubs such as the Atlanta Braves. He is an experienced player towering at 5 ft. 10 inches.

42.   Luis Urias

Luis is the younger brother of Ramon Urias, who is also an MLB player. He is a great asset to the Seattle Mariners as he is a talented and experienced infielder.  He might be the shortest baseball player in the club with a frame of 1.75m.

43.   Cesar Hernandez

Cesar is a professional baseball player who decided to play as a free agent after walking with the MLB in his career journey. He has two kids with Gabriella Altuve. He is a 5 ft. 10 inches tall player who led his team to win the Gold Glove Award in 2020.

44.   Austin Barnes

Austin has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers of MLB since 2015. He has a beautiful son together with Nicole Breanna Rappaport, who has been his wife since  2018. They have a home in Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium. This player, aged 34 years with a height of 1.75m, likes to play golf during his leisure time.

45.   Max Stassi

Max is a generous player who, in cooperation with  Brook Stassi, holds an annual charity event to raise money for the needy. In his family, baseball through the blood as his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all catchers in the Minor Baseball League. He is a short baseball player with a height of  1.78m  who currently plays for the Chicago White Sox.

46.   Scott Kingery

Scott was born in April 1994 together with his twin brother Sam. The two started playing baseball at the age of five, and their father coached them. They continued to play together through high school but the two separated when they reached university level. Scott made it to the MLB in 2015  through the Philadelphia Phillis. He may be the shortest baseball player in the club, towering at 5 Feet 9 inches.

47.   Joey Ortiz

His journey with MLB started when he was selected by Baltimore in 2023. He is the shortest MLB player right now for the Milwaukee Brewers since the beginning of 2024. This is due to his frame of  5 feet 9 inches. He is an American player who plays as an infielder.

48.   Pablo Reyes

Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, and Boston Red Sox have tasted the presence of Pablo for a few years.  Right now, he plays for the New York Mets  Organisation. He was among the shortest MLB players in history as he was a 1.73m.

49.   Andy Ibanez

Andy is a professional player who joined the MLB in 2021 with the Texas Ranges. He then took his talent to the Detroit Ranges from 2023 to this day. This 5 feet 11 inches player is the shortest MLB player on the current list.

50.   Eddie Gaedel

The late Edward Gaedel continues to rock in the history of baseball as the smallest MLB player in the world who stood 3 ft. 7 inches. He has left a remarkable mark in baseball not only as the smallest guy but also as the most determined player.

Shortest Baseball player

Freddie Patek is the shortest baseball player in history as he stood 5 ft. 5 inches. After retiring from baseball career, he became a baseball part-time analyst for NBC. He was also a color commentator For the Texas Rangers in 1985.

Author’s Conclusion

The above are the players MLB players who are considered the shortest in MLB history. They have proven that height does not determine success in this game. Despite their shortness, they can leave a remarkable mark in the game. Most of them have a life outside the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the shortest MLB player?

The late Eddie Gaedel died in 1961. He is the shortest and smallest MLB player in history. No other player is standing below 3 ft. 7 inches.

Who is the shortest MLB player right now?

Two players are considered the shortest in MLB  since 2023. These players are Jose Altuve and Tony Kemp. They both stand at 5 ft. 6 inches.

Who is the shortest MLB pitcher?

Bobby Shantz is the shortest pitcher in MLB history, as he has a frame of 1.68m. Marcus Stroman is the shortest cu MLB pitcher right now as he towers at 5 ft. 7 inches.

Does height matter in baseball?

Though height is considered advantageous in baseball, it does not determine the success of the player. There are many short baseball players out there who are considered the shortest but still deliver excellent performances.

Between taller and shorter baseball players, who are the best?

Both players have the same potential and no one is better over the other. As long as one has the determination to succeed and passion for the game success is a must regardless of height.