Who is the Shortest Baseball Pitcher?
Baseball is one of the most beloved sports in America. It’s been around for over a century and has seen countless players come and go. But one thing has never changed: pitchers are usually the tallest players on the field. That’s why it can be so intriguing to find out who the shortest baseball pitcher is.
Height Matters in Baseball
Height can be a major advantage for pitchers in baseball. It gives them a longer reach, which helps them throw harder and more accurate pitches. A tall pitcher also has a longer stride, which helps him generate more power. And because his arm is closer to the plate, he can throw faster pitches with more movement.
Height Advantages for Hitters
Height can also be an advantage for hitters. Taller hitters have a longer reach, which helps them cover more of the plate. They also have a larger strike zone, which gives them more chances to hit the ball. Finally, they can generate more power and velocity, which can make them more dangerous.
Shortest Pitchers in Baseball History
The shortest pitcher in baseball history is believed to be Hall of Famer Eddie Gaedel. Gaedel stood 3 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 65 pounds. He was signed by the St. Louis Browns in 1951 and made one appearance in the Major Leagues. He walked on four pitches and was the shortest player to ever appear in a Major League game.
The Shortest Pitcher Today
The shortest pitcher in the Major Leagues today is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Josh Wall. He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. Wall is a right-handed reliever who has appeared in 164 games over the course of his career. He has a career ERA of 4.54 and has struck out 188 batters in 183 innings pitched.
Shortest Pitchers in the Minor Leagues
The shortest pitcher in the Minor Leagues today is the San Francisco Giants’ Dan Runzler. He stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 175 pounds. Runzler is a left-handed reliever who has appeared in 46 games over the course of his career. He has a career ERA of 3.71 and has struck out 122 batters in 102 innings pitched.
Shortest Pitchers in International Leagues
The shortest pitcher in international leagues is the Japan Professional Baseball League’s Kazuya Takagi. He stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. Takagi is a right-handed starter who has appeared in 146 games over the course of his career. He has a career ERA of 4.11 and has struck out 617 batters in 741 innings pitched.
Shortest Pitchers in College Baseball
The shortest pitcher in college baseball is the University of Arizona’s Ryan Burr. He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds. Burr is a right-handed reliever who has appeared in 32 games over the course of his career. He has a career ERA of 3.08 and has struck out 103 batters in 75 innings pitched.
Shortest Pitchers in High School Baseball
The shortest pitcher in high school baseball is the California High School’s Jacob Marinez. He stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds. Marinez is a right-handed starter who has appeared in 15 games over the course of his career. He has a career ERA of 1.86 and has struck out 118 batters in 86 innings pitched.
Shortest Pitchers of All-Time
The shortest pitcher of all-time is believed to be the Hall of Famer Eddie Gaedel. He stood 3 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 65 pounds. Gaedel made one appearance in the Major Leagues and is the shortest player to ever appear in a Major League game.
Conclusion
Height has always been an advantage for baseball players, but it doesn’t always guarantee success. Some of the shortest pitchers in the game have achieved great success, including Hall of Famer Eddie Gaedel and the current Major League pitcher Josh Wall. Height doesn’t always matter in baseball, but it can give players an edge.
List of Shortest Pitchers
- Eddie Gaedel: 3’7”, 65 lbs
- Josh Wall: 5’11”, 180 lbs
- Dan Runzler: 5’9”, 175 lbs
- Kazuya Takagi: 5’5”, 140 lbs
- Ryan Burr: 5’8”, 155 lbs
- Jacob Marinez: 5’7”, 135 lbs