Height Changes of MLB Players Due to ABS Measurements Revealed, '3 Full Aaron Judge-Sized' Humans

Thanks to the institution of the ABS pitch challenge system in Major League Baseball this season, 225 of the 430 hitters listed on Opening Day rosters are now listed at shorter heights than they were in 2024 and 2025.

According to Sam Blum of The Athletic, six players saw their official heights drop by three inches, 48 by two inches and 171 by one inch.

Meanwhile, 45 hitters gained one inch and two hitters gained two inches of height in MLB's effort to institute the most accurate strike zones possible.

Per Blum, close to 20 feet in height was collectively lost by MLB players during the transition, which equates to roughly "three full Aaron Judge-sized human beings."

The 6'7" Judge, who is a New York Yankees superstar outfielder and the two-time reigning American League MVP, was among those not impacted by the height changes.

Several prominent MLB players did see their official heights drop by at least one inch, though, including Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto and shortstop Francisco Lindor.

According to Blum, the players now listed at 5'11" lost an average of 0.82 inches of height during the changeover, which is the most of any height. That is followed by 5'9" hitters, who lost an average of 0.81 inches.

With 74 players listed at 5'11", it is now the most common height among hitters in Major League Baseball, followed by 72 hitters who stand exactly 6 feet tall.

The changes speak to the notion that some players may have previously lobbied to be listed at 6 feet even though they didn't quite make the cut.

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop and 2025 World Series hero Miguel Rojas confirmed as much to Blum, saying, "I always pressed the guys who did the measurement to leave me as 6 feet. Because I was like, 'I'm so close to being 6 feet. What can we do? What can we do to put me at 6 feet?' I think it's better optics."

However, accuracy now rules the day, as teams are permitted to challenge balls and strikes for the first time ever in MLB regular-season games.

Both teams start a game with two challenges, and they retain their challenges for as long as they keep winning them. Once a team loses two challenges in a game, they can not challenge balls and strikes any longer in that game.

Per Baseball Savant, 54 percent of ABS challenges have resulted in calls getting overturned so far this season, entering play on Monday.