TALL TALES |
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An off-hand comment by a play-by-play announcer about basketball-sized baseball players set this off. With Randy Johnson retired and Andrew Brackman mired in the minors, the tallest active player on any roster is Chris Young of the Mariners at 6’10." The only other player over 6’8" is the Brewers’ Johnny Hellweg, at 6’9". There are certainly many more tall pitchers than tall position players. Of the 53 players listed at 6’6" or taller, only 7 are position players: 2 first basemen and 5 outfielders who are probably destined to become first basemen. The tallest position player is Nate Freiman, a first baseman for the A’s, who is 6’8". None of the other position players are taller than 6’6" – at least until Yankees’ minor league outfielder Aaron Judge (6’7") makes it to the show, probably as a September call-up in 2015. While the A’s are the only team with more than one 6’6" or taller position player, the Yankees are the only team with enough 6’6" or taller large bodies to fill out a complete basketball team. Are taller pitchers better than short ones, or just more likely to be drafted? Do taller hitters hit farther? Are taller first basemen better targets for the other infielders? Those are subjects for further analysis and debate.
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Tallest Players [≥ 6’6"] on Each Team’s 40-Man Roster |
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Dane De La Rosa |
6’7" |
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Angles |
6’7" |
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Scott Feldman |
6’7" |
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Astros |
Jose Veras |
6’6" |
Nate Freiman (1B) |
6’8" |
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Athletics |
6’7" |
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Athletics |
6’6" |
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Athletics |
Kyle Blanks (1B) |
6’6" |
NA |
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6’7" |
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Brewers |
Johnny Hellweg |
6’9" |
Brewers |
6’6" |
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Justin Masterson |
6’6" |
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Cardinals |
Michael Wacha |
6’6" |
NA |
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NA |
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Jamey Wright |
6’6" |
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NA |
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6’6" |
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Brian Flynn |
6’7" |
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Marlins |
Giancarlo Stanton (OF) |
6’6" |
Mariners |
Chris Young |
6’10" |
Mariners |
Tom Wilhelmsen |
6’6" |
Mariners |
Corey Hart (OF) |
6’6" |
6’6" |
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6’8" |
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Nationals |
6’6" |
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Nationals |
6’6" |
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6’7" |
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Orioles |
6’6" |
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6’7" |
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Padres |
Andrew Cashner |
6’6" |
6’7" |
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Phillies |
John Mayberry Jr. (OF) |
6’6" |
Jared Hughes |
6’7" |
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Phil Klein |
6’7" |
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Rangers |
Aaron Poreda |
6’6" |
NA |
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6’7" |
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6’6" |
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Reds |
6’6" |
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Reds |
Juan Duran (OF) |
6’7" |
6’8" |
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NA |
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David Price |
6’6" |
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Tigers |
Luke Putkonen |
6’6" |
Tigers |
Drew VerHagen |
6’6" |
Tigers |
Steven Moya (OF) |
6’6" |
6’7" |
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Twins |
6’7" |
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Twins |
6’6" |
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6’6" |
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White Sox |
6’6" |
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Yankees |
Dellin Betances |
6’8" |
Yankees |
Brandon McCarthy |
6’7" |
Yankees |
Michael Pineda |
6’7" |
Yankees |
C.C. Sabathia |
6’7" |
Yankees |
Chris Leroux |
6’6" |