Men often exaggerate their height, whether it’s for driver’s licenses or dating apps, but it seems Major League Baseball (MLB) is making strides towards accuracy. After testing an automatic ball strike (ABS) challenge system in 2025, this season, every player has been accurately measured, revealing some surprising figures.
Several players who previously claimed to be taller than six feet are now listed shorter. Take Alex Bregman, for instance. After joining the Chicago Cubs, he shifted from 6 feet with the Houston Astros to 5 feet 11 with the Red Sox, and now down to 5 feet 10 in Chicago. Similarly, Gavin Lux, formerly listed at 6 feet 1, has also dropped a few inches.
This reevaluation is essential since the league requires precise measurements to provide accurate strike zone data. The shift away from loosely defining height—from “the top of the pants to the batter’s shoulder”—has clarified what constitutes the strike zone for players.
The current definition specifies a strike zone that is 17 inches across the plate for all players. Height-wise, it starts at 27% of a player’s height, landing around the waist for most, and stretches to 53.5%. According to MLB, this standardization is expected to decrease the variability in referee rulings, which typically ranged from 24.2% to 55.6%. Consequently, this creates a narrower strike zone, lowering the overall count of strikes.
One can’t help but wonder about players’ previous height claims. Umpires traditionally relied more on their visual assessment than just on reported numbers. If a pitch soared above a player’s shoulder or dipped below their belt, it was called a ball, irrespective of the player’s actual height. With the ABS system in play, precise measurements become crucial for measuring balls and strikes accurately.
MLB has tried to enhance accuracy—attempting to implement a 3D model for a cubed strike zone. However, this approach led to unexpected issues, allowing pitchers to target unusual corners that the ABS system deemed strikes, which clashed with previously established norms. Hence, MLB reverted to a simpler, 2D plane model for the strike zone, echoing traditional understandings.
So, it’s no surprise that many fans are noticing that their favorite players appear somewhat shorter than the lofty heights they’ve claimed for years. Personally, as someone who’s under 6 feet, I embrace my height. Honestly, unless it’s for buying dress pants, being shorter isn’t really an issue. If you’re on the shorter side, just make sure to accurately measure your inseam for those dress pants!
