MLB Jersey Sizing and Fit Guide 2023 (Nike Update)


In this article we discuss MLB jersey sizing. In general, expect MLB jerseys to fit bigger than normal t-shirts. Quickly, here’s what you need to know about the 3 main types of MLB jerseys:

  • Nike Authentic Jerseys – This is the closest you can get to wearing what the players wear. Embroidered graphics and authentic paneling. This is the most premium MLB fan jersey you can buy. These use numerical sizing (44 = Large). Click here to view these Nike Authentic jerseys at MLBShop.com (affiliate link takes you to MLBShop.com).
  • Nike Replica Jerseys – These are a more affordable alternative to the Authentic jerseys. Although they look very similar, they don’t have all the premium finishes that the Authentic jerseys have. Heat-sealed graphics. Great if you are on a tighter budget. Click here to view these Nike Replica jerseys at MLBShop.com (affiliate link takes you to MLBShop.com).
  • Nike Cooperstown Collection – These are awesome throwback jerseys made by Nike. These are a great option, especially if you want to stand out a little bit. A wide variety of past superstars are available. The design features can vary a little jersey to jersey, but overall a very reasonable price point on these. Click here to view these Nike Cooperstown jerseys at MLBShop.com (affiliate link takes you to MLBShop.com).
  • Mitchell & Ness Throwback Jerseys – These are not Nike jerseys. Mitchell & Ness is famous for making classic throwback sports jerseys. They offer some of the best jersey styles from the history of baseball, and jerseys for some of the games greatest superstars. Cool way to stand out. Click here to view the entire collection of Mitchell & Ness jerseys available at MLBShop.com (affiliate link takes you to MLBShop.com).

Nike became the official outfitter of MLB in 2020. In this article we will take a closer look at Nike MLB jersey sizing using photos of the jerseys that I own. We will also discuss some of the differences between the replica and authentic MLB jerseys.


MLB Jersey Sizing

In general, you can expect MLB jerseys to fit bigger than normal clothing. Most people prefer to wear their MLB jerseys with a looser, relaxed fit, but if you prefer them to fit tighter, you may need to size down.

As we discussed earlier, Nike took over as the official outfitter of Major League Baseball in 2020. The previous outfitter was Majestic. Having owned both Majestic and Nike jerseys, I can tell you there is a small difference in sizing (photos later).

Nike makes two different types of MLB jerseys for fans to purchase: replica and authentic. The Nike Authentic MLB jerseys will be the closest you can get as a fan to wearing what the players wear on the field.

nike-mlb-jersey-front

Nike Authentic jerseys have all the premium finishes, including stitched graphics (photo above). The Nike Replica MLB jerseys are a more affordable alternative, that doesn’t have all the premium finishes that the Authentic jerseys have.

Which one makes more sense for you might come down to budget. In this article let’s take a look at the MLB jersey sizing for both the replica jerseys and the authentic jerseys.

Nike Replica MLB Jersey Sizing

The Nike Replica jerseys are the more affordable option. The replica jerseys will look very similar to the authentic jerseys, but have fewer premium design features, which keeps production costs down, and allows them to be sold at a more affordable price point. This is the current price of the replica jerseys at MLBShop.com (affiliate link takes you to MLBShop.com).

These replica jerseys don’t have the authentic embroidery like the jerseys the players wear, but they still look very nice. The graphics are heat-sealed, but do have a stitching detail that helps make them look more authentic (again, the replicas are not authentically stitched). Here is a close look at the replica graphics:

nike-replica-mlb-graphics

Overall, the replicas still look very nice. And even though they aren’t authentic jerseys, this is still a cool way to rep your favorite player or team, especially if you are operating on a tight budget.

As I said earlier, MLB jerseys run baggier than normal clothing. It isn’t a drastic difference, but it does exist. Many people prefer to wear baseball jerseys a bit baggy, but if you prefer a tighter fit, you may need to size down.

Here is a look at my size medium Nike replica MLB jersey compared to a size medium Hanes undershirt:

nike-replica-mlb-vs-t-shirt

As you can see, the jersey is a couple inches wider in the chest and stomach than a normal t-shirt. Also, the sleeves are much longer.

Here I am wearing a medium t-shirt and a medium Nike replica jersey side-by-side (6’3″ 195 pounds):

mlb-jersey-sizing-vs-shirt

In general, expect Nike Replica MLB jersey sizing to be bigger than your normal clothing, but I personally do not size down. If you are in-between sizes, sizing down may be best.


Nike Authentic MLB Jersey Sizing

The Nike Authentic jerseys are quite popular, and coveted by many baseball fans. As we discussed earlier, this is the closest you can get as a fan to wearing what the players wear on the field. This is the current price of the Nike Authentic jerseys available at MLBShop.com (affiliate link takes you to MLBShop.com).

These jerseys have embroidered graphics and authentic paneling to mimic what the pros wear. Another difference the authentic jerseys have, is they use a numerical sizing system instead of the standard small, medium, large.

For the authentic jerseys, I wear a size 44, which according to the official size guide is a large equivalent. Here is how the size 44 fits me (6’3″ 195):

nike-authentic-baseball-jersey

As you can see, the size 44 has plenty of length for me at 6’3″ tall. Overall, again, expect baseball jerseys to have a little extra room built in to sizing. ***If you want to take a closer look at the Nike Authentic jerseys, visit our article How Do Nike MLB Jerseys Fit?

I personally am in-between a medium and large, and currently own a medium replica and a size 44 (large) authentic. I ordered the size 44 authentic because that is what I had owned in the past when Majestic was the official outfitter.

In my experience there has been a small difference in Nike MLB jersey sizing compared to Majestic MLB Jersey sizing. Let’s take a closer look next.

Nike vs Majestic MLB Jerseys

The description for the Nike jerseys at MLBShop.com calls the fit for the Nike authentic MLB jerseys an “athletic fit”, but the tag attached to my jersey when I bought it said “standard fit”. It’s hard to know exactly what that is supposed to mean, so let’s just take a look at how the new authentic Nike MLB jerseys compare directly to the old Majestic MLB jerseys.

Nike vs Majestic

Below is a look at my old size 44 authentic Majestic Trout jersey sitting on top of my new size 44 authentic Nike Yelich jersey:

nike-vs-majestic-mlb-jersey

As you can see, the new Nike MLB jerseys are sized just a little bit bigger than the old Majestic jerseys. The sleeve length is basically the same, but there seems to be a little more length in the Nike jersey, and a bit more space through the stomach area.

Overall though, MLB jersey sizing between Nike and Majestic seems to be relatively similar, and if you owned a Majestic jersey, I would recommend ordering your same size in the Nike jerseys. ***To read more about how these two types of jerseys compare, visit our article Nike vs Majestic.


Where to Buy?

MLBShop.com is the official online shop of Major League Baseball. You can buy from them with confidence knowing you aren’t getting scammed.

Authentic

Click here to buy your authentic Nike MLB jersey at MLBShop.com (affiliate link takes you to MLBShop.com). The authentic jerseys are the more premium version and are the closest you can get as a fan to wearing what the players wear on the field.

Replica

Click here to buy your replica Nike MLB jersey at MLBShop.com (affiliate link takes you to MLBShop.com). The replica jerseys are more affordable than the authentic jerseys, but won’t have all the premium finishes.

Paul Johnson

Paul has been with us from our beginnings. He focuses on a wide range of sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB and golf.

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