FanPost

Can the Yankees beat the Nets?

TALL TALES

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 BrewersJohnny 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.

Tallest Players [≥ 6’6"] on Each Team’s 40-Man Roster

Angels

Dane De La Rosa

6’7"

Angles

Jered Weaver

6’7"

Astros

Scott Feldman

6’7"

Astros

Jose Veras

6’6"

Athletics

Nate Freiman (1B)

6’8"

Athletics

Michael Ynoa

6’7"

Athletics

Deck McGuire

6’6"

Athletics

Kyle Blanks (1B)

6’6"

Blue Jays

NA

Braves

Aaron Harang

6’7"

Brewers

Johnny Hellweg

6’9"

Brewers

Jimmy Nelson

6’6"

Cardinals

Justin Masterson

6’6"

Cardinals

Michael Wacha

6’6"

Cubs

NA

Diamondbacks

NA

Dodgers

Jamey Wright

6’6"

Giants

NA

Indians

Zach McAllister

6’6"

Marlins

Brian Flynn

6’7"

Marlins

Giancarlo Stanton (OF)

6’6"

Mariners

Chris Young

6’10"

Mariners

Tom Wilhelmsen

6’6"

Mariners

Corey Hart (OF)

6’6"

Mets

Scott Rice

6’6"

Nationals

Doug Fister

6’8"

Nationals

Jerry Blevins

6’6"

Nationals

Matt Thornton

6’6"

Orioles

Andrew Miller

6’7"

Orioles

Brad Brach

6’6"

Padres

Josh Johnson

6’7"

Padres

Andrew Cashner

6’6"

Phillies

Phillippe Aumont

6’7"

Phillies

John Mayberry Jr. (OF)

6’6"

Pirates

Jared Hughes

6’7"

Rangers

Phil Klein

6’7"

Rangers

Aaron Poreda

6’6"

Rays

NA

Red Sox

Anthony Ranaudo

6’7"

Reds

Mat Latos

6’6"

Reds

Alfredo Simon

6’6"

Reds

Juan Duran (OF)

6’7"

Rockies

Chris Martin

6’8"

Royals

NA

Tigers

David Price

6’6"

Tigers

Luke Putkonen

6’6"

Tigers

Drew VerHagen

6’6"

Tigers

Steven Moya (OF)

6’6"

Twins

Mike Pelfrey

6’7"

Twins

Michael Tonkin

6’7"

Twins

Kyle Gibson

6’6"

White Sox

Chris Sale

6’6"

White Sox

Adam Dunn

6’6"

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"

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