Undersized stars: 3 small players who make a big impact

Eddie Gaedel, a professional performer standing 3-foot-7 and weighing 65 pounds, made baseball history when he stepped into the batter's box in the second game of a St. Louis Browns doubleheader on Aug. 19, 1951. Gaedel took four consecutive balls to draw a walk in his only big-league plate appearance, and become the shortest player to ever play in a professional baseball game.

Gaedel's debut was a publicity stunt by then-owner Bill Veeck, but many modern players are proving undersized players can not only compete at the major-league level, but blossom into some of the game's greatest talents.

Here are three current players that prove size doesn't matter on the baseball field:

Jose Altuve: 5-5, 165 pounds

Career Highlights

• 3-time All-Star (2012, 2014, 2015)

• 2014 batting champion and hits leader

The Houston Astros second baseman is the one of the shortest current players in the game, but also one of the sport's greatest rising stars. Altuve enjoyed a breakout 2014 campaign, batting .341 to claim the overall batting title and a league-high 225 hits.

Altuve, 25, is now taking on a leadership role with a young Astros squad, earning his third All-Star selection. A terror on the basepaths, the Venezuelan phenom boasts a rare combination of speed, skill, and heart.

2015 stats - 83 games

Dustin Pedroia: 5-9, 175 pounds

Career Highlights

• 2-time World Series champion (2007, 2013)

• 2008 AL MVP

• 4-time All-Star (2008-2010, 2013)

Pedroia is the undisputed heart and soul of the Boston Red Sox, and makes up for his lack of size with a tireless work ethic. The second baseman stood only 5-foot-2 and weighed a paltry 140 pounds as a senior in high school, deterring many collegiate scouts - except those from Arizona State, where he began his road to the big leagues.

The Sun Devils' gamble paid off handsomely as Pedroia excelled at the college level, and was then drafted by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2004 draft. Pedroia's career took off in just his second big-league season, playing an integral role in Boston's 2007 championship run. He then enjoyed an MVP season as an encore in 2008. Pedroia is still considered one of the elite players at his position despite being hampered by injuries the past two seasons.

2015 stats - 69 games

Josh Harrison: 5-8, 195 pounds

Career Highlights

• 2014 All-Star

• 2008 Big East Conference Co-Player of the Year

Harrison is living proof that good things come in small packages, as evidenced by his nearly winning the National League batting title last year. The super-utility man hit .315 in his first full season as an everyday player, which is impressive considering he played five different positions for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Unfortunately, Harrison recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, and is expected to miss another six weeks of action. Losing Harrison's versatility is a huge blow for a contending Pirates club, but he'll surely contribute to a playoff push in September.

2015 stats - 75 games