Some serious shrinkage is hitting Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n
Due to new rules surrounding the implementation of MLB\u2019s Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS), players now have to have their height measured more precisely, and some are shorter than they previously claimed.<\/p>\n
The height differences can be seen on players\u2019 bio pages on MLB\u2019s website, with fans on social media noticing some players getting smaller.<\/p>\n
One of the largest disparities so far comes from Rays infielder Gavin Lux, who was reported at 6 feet 2 inches last season, but stands at just 5 feet 11 inches this year.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Guardians catcher Bo Naylor dropped from 6 feet to 5 feet 9 inches. Red Sox backstop Connor Wong is now clocking in at 5 feet 11 inches this season, down two inches.<\/p>\n
Austin Wells of the New York Yankees is forced out at home plate as Bo Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians completes a double play on a ball hit by Ben Rice of the New York Yankees with the bases loaded during the fifth inning. Charles Wenzelberg \/ New York Post<\/p>\n
Although MLB players have been weighed and measured since the league\u2019s inception, this year ushers in a new era of the process being seriously standardized, with some of the rules including:<\/p>\n
No hats<\/p>\n
No shoes<\/p>\n
Knees exposed<\/p>\n
Back against the wall<\/p>\n
Heels together<\/p>\n
No slouching<\/p>\n
Furthermore, teams must record the measurements between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. local time to prevent shrinking throughout a day, MLB.com reported.<\/p>\n
An ABS, or automatic ball-strike, review is shown on the scoreboard during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Goodyear, Arizona MLB Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n