You’ve probably heard “size doesn’t matter” mentioned a few times, which is as accurate in baseball as in most scenarios. Both height and weight don’t matter – all you need are the tools to produce at a high level. In some sports, short players may not have a chance. In baseball, however, some of the shortest MLB players are the best at their positions.
One of the shortest MLB players in 2023 is the Houston Astros’ second baseman Jose Altuve, while one of the shortest players in the history of baseball is Eddie Gaedel, who played for the St. Louis Browns.
Here is a look at the shortest MLB players currently and of all time.
10 Shortest MLB Players in 2023
1. Jose Altuve – Houston Astros (5’6″)
The shortest active MLB player is the Houston Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve. Altuve, five foot six inches, is putting together another strong season during the 2022 MLB schedule.
The Astros second baseman is an eight-time MLB All-Star, World Series Champion, and AL MVP.
To go along with those accolades, Altuve has led the AL in batting in three different seasons, stolen bases twice and has one Gold Glove award.
2. Tony Kemp – Oakland A’s (5’6″)
Standing neck and neck with Jose Altuve is his former teammate Tony Kemp, also 5’6″.
Kemp, who made his MLB debut during the 2016 MLB season, was a part of the 2017 Houston Astros team that won the World Series.
The Oakland A’s second baseman has already reached career highs in games, total at-bats, hits, doubles, runs batted in, and stolen bases during the 2022 MLB season.
3. Terrence Gore – New York Mets (5’7″)
Depending on where you look, Terrence Gore ranges between five foot seven and five foot eight inches tall.
Gore, currently a member of the New York Mets, is playing for his fifth MLB team since making his MLB debut in 2014 with the Kansas City Royals.
The Mets utility outfielder and speedy pinch runner is also one of the fastest players in Major League Baseball, providing the Mets a stolen base threat off the bench.
Gore has been called up for expanded rosters multiple times over his career, including for three different teams (Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Kansas City Royals) during seasons they won the World Series.
4. Kolten Wong – Milwaukee Brewers (5’7″)
Once a highly touted MLB prospect, Kolten Wong continues to find playing time around Major League Baseball after joining his second MLB franchise, the Milwaukee Brewers.
Wong, who made his MLB debut in August of 2013, spent his first eight seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Over his career, Wong has won two Gold Glove awards and three Field Bible Awards while being one of the best defensive second basemen in the National League.
The Brewers’ second baseman has posted at least double-digit home runs in five MLB seasons.
5. Leury Garcia – Chicago White Sox (5’7″)
The trend continues as another MLB second baseman lands on the shortest MLB players ranking list.
This time the second baseman is the Chicago White Sox journeyman Leury Garcia who has been a member of the White Sox organization since being traded to them from the Texas Rangers.
Garcia, who played in the Dominican Republic before signing as an International free agent, is a super utility player for the White Sox, playing nearly every position outside of first base and catcher.
6. Marcus Stroman – Chicago Cubs (5’8″)
Most dominant Major League Baseball starting pitchers have solid size and height. That is not the case with Marcus Stroman, who has put together a solid pitching career since making his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014.
The current Chicago Cubs starting pitcher has racked up double-digit wins in three different seasons, including last season with the New York Mets.
Stroman made the 2019 AL All-Star team while taking home the Gold Glove the same season and being named the MVP of the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
7. Josh Harrison – Chicago White Sox (5’8″)
A second member of the Chicago White Sox to land as one of the shortest MLB players is Josh Harrison.
Harrison, who started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, has also spent time with the Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and the Oakland A’s before joining the White Sox before the start of the 2022 MLB season.
Harrison is a two-time MLB All-Star who posted his best season in 2017, hitting 16 home runs, driving in 47 runs, and posting a .283 batting average.
8. Ozzie Albies – Atlanta Braves (5’8″)
One of the fresh young faces of Major League Baseball and a member of the Atlanta Braves World Series Championship team in 2021 is Ozzie Albies.
Albies, who signed with the Braves as an International free agent in 2013, made his MLB debut in 2017.
Since then, Albies has won a World Series in 2021, made two All-Star teams, made the 2021 All-MLB second team, and has taken home two Silver Slugger awards.
Albies, who is coming off his best season in the Majors in 2021, where he posted 163 hits, 40 doubles, 30 home runs, and 106 runs batted in, has battled injuries limiting him to less than 100 games in 2022.
9. Cedric Mullins – Baltimore Orioles (5’8″)
As the Baltimore Orioles look to return to a team that can compete, one of those Orioles putting together some solid seasons is the team’s center fielder Cedric Mullins.
Since joining the Orioles in late 2018, Mullins has been one of the more consistent players on the team during a rebuilding phase.
Mullins made his first MLB All-Star team in 2021 while also taking home a Silver Slugger award and joining the 30-30 club.
The Orioles center fielder finished last season hitting .291 with 30 home runs, 37 doubles, and 30 stolen bases.
10. Alejandro Kirk – Toronto Blue Jays (5’8″)
Joining the list as one of the shortest MLB players is the Toronto Blue Jays’ 23-year-old catcher Alejandro Kirk.
The Blue Jays catcher, who made his MLB debut in September of 2022, is having the best season of his young career posting highs in hits, doubles, home runs, runs batted in, and batting average, all during the 2022 MLB schedule.
His strong first half of the 2022 MLB season landed him his first All-Star appearance on the American League All-Star team.
Shortest MLB Player of All-Time
The game has blessed us with players of all shapes and sizes. When it comes to the shortest MLB player of all time, the list includes Eddie Gaedel (3’7″), Stubby Magner (5’3″), Pompeyo “Yo-Yo” Davalillo (5’3″), Bob Emmerich (5’3″), and Mike McCormack (5’3″).
Considered by many as a stunt, Eddie Gaedel posted one official at-bat, landing him officially as the shortest player to play baseball. In his only at-bat, Gaedel picked up a walk.
