Wikipedia

John Means (baseball)

John Alan Means (born April 24, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles selected Means in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2018.

John Means
Means with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1993-04-24) April 24, 1993 (age 31)
Olathe, Kansas, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 26, 2018, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record23–26
Earned run average3.68
Strikeouts334
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Means was an All-Star in 2019. He threw the tenth no-hitter in Orioles franchise history on May 5, 2021.

Career

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Amateur and minor league career

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Means attended Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner, Kansas. He played for the school's baseball team, but was not recruited by any NCAA Division I college baseball program.[1] The Atlanta Braves selected him in the 46th round of the 2011 MLB draft.[2] He intended to sign with the Braves, but was injured when a Braves scout visited him, and the scout recommended he go to college. Means enrolled at Fort Scott Community College and played baseball at the junior college level for one year, before he transferred to West Virginia University to play for the West Virginia Mountaineers.[3][4] In 2013, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[5] In 2014, his junior year at West Virginia, he went 6–2 with a 3.13 ERA in 12 starts.

The Orioles selected Means in the 11th round, with the 331st overall selection, of the 2014 MLB draft.[6][7] He pitched for the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Single–A South Atlantic League in 2015.[8] He threw a no-hitter for Delmarva in July.[9] He pitched for the Frederick Keys of the High–A Carolina League in 2016, before receiving a midseason promotion to the Bowie Baysox of the Double–A Eastern League. He returned to Bowie in 2017.[10] In 2018, he was promoted to the Norfolk Tides of the Triple–A International League.[3]

Baltimore Orioles

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The Orioles promoted Means to the major leagues on September 24, 2018.[11] After a competition in spring training, the Orioles named Means to the team's Opening Day roster as a relief pitcher for the 2019 season.[12] After three appearances out of the bullpen, pitching to a 1.59 ERA in 52⁄3 innings, Means was moved into the Orioles' starting rotation.[13]

 
Means pitching for the Orioles in 2019

On June 28, 2019, Means was selected to his first All-Star Game, his 2.50 ERA ranking second among American League pitchers for the first half of the season.[1] Starting 27 of 31 pitching appearances, he completed his rookie campaign at 12–11 with a 3.60 ERA.[14] He finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting.[15] In the 2020 season, which was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Means pitched to a 4.53 ERA, 42 strikeouts and a 2–4 record over 43+2⁄3 innings pitched in 10 games pitched, all starts.[16]

The Orioles selected Means as their Opening Day starting pitcher for the 2021 season.[17] On May 5, 2021, he threw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners, striking out 12 batters while facing the minimum of 27 batters. His only baserunner, Sam Haggerty, reached on a dropped third strike in the third inning and was subsequently caught trying to steal second base. It was the first no-hitter for the Orioles since 1991 and the first solo no-hitter since Jim Palmer no-hit the Oakland Athletics on August 13, 1969.[18] It was also the first no-hitter in MLB history where the only baserunner reached base on an uncaught third strike.[19] On May 10, Means was named the AL Player of the Week for week of May 3 to May 9.[20][21] On June 6, Means went onto the 10-day injured list with a strained shoulder.[22] Means was activated on July 20, after missing over a month of action.[23]

Means was named the Opening Day starter for the 2022 season,[24][25][26] and pitched on April 7 against the Tampa Bay Rays. On April 13, Means pitched four innings against the Milwaukee Brewers before his removal from the game.[27] He was diagnosed with elbow strain two days later and placed on the 10-day injured list.[28][29][30] Means was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 17.[31][32] Doctors determined that Means needed Tommy John surgery, which prematurely ended his 2022 season.[33][34] He underwent surgery on May 11, 2022. On May 21, Means agreed to a two-year, $5.925 million contract with the Orioles to avoid arbitration.[35]

Means spent the majority of the 2023 season rehabilitating from surgery. The Orioles activated him from the injured list on September 12, 2023, and he pitched the first five innings in a 5–2 home loss to the St. Louis Cardinals later that same night.[36][37] Means earned his first win in two years two starts later in a 2–1 away victory over the Cleveland Guardians on September 23 in which he pitched 8+1⁄3 innings including the first 7+2⁄3 without allowing a hit.[38]

After missing brief time in 2024 due to injury, Means returned to make 4 starts and compile a 2.61 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 20+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 31, 2024, it was announced that Means would be undergoing season-ending surgery to repair damage to his ulnar collateral ligament.[39] On June 3, Means underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time, effectively ending his season.[40]

Personal life

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Means' father Alan worked with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for more than 30 years. Alan was the Local 41 (Kansas City, Missouri) Secretary/Treasurer just before his death from pancreatic cancer at age 57 on August 5, 2020.[41] His younger brother Jake played college baseball at Indiana State University before being selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 22nd round (475th overall) of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft.[42]

Means is married to former professional soccer player Caroline Stanley.[1][43] They had their first child, a son, in 2020.[44]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Ruiz, Nathan (July 8, 2019). "'This is still your path': Orioles' John Means skyrockets from edge of retirement to All-Star". The Baltimore Sun. pp. Sports 1 and 5. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  2. ^ "Pitcher Means selected in Major League Baseball draft – Gardner News". July 13, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Once overlooked, Tides lefty John Means edging close to majors | Norfolk Tides". pilotonline.com. August 8, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "John Means signs letter to play baseball at West Virginia University – Gardner News". August 28, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  5. ^ "#25 John Means". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  6. ^ TOD PALMERThe Kansas City Star (June 7, 2014). "| The Kansas City Star". Kansascity.com. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  7. ^ Matt Hauswirth (May 27, 2015). "John Means Among Several 'Eers Excelling in the Minors". Wvillustrated.com. Retrieved September 9, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Shorebirds' pitcher proving to be diamond in rough". Delmarvanow.com. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  9. ^ "Five questions with John Means, Keys left-handed pitcher | Sports". fredericknewspost.com. September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  10. ^ "Orioles minor league report: Bowie's John Means off to another strong start". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  11. ^ Kubatko, Roch (September 24, 2018). "Orioles summon John Means to Boston – School of Roch". Masnsports.com. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  12. ^ Kubatko, Roch (March 28, 2019). "Jackson, Martin and Means on first opening day experiences – School of Roch". Masnsports.com. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  13. ^ "Orioles rookie John Means' breakout April continues in 4–3 victory over White Sox". Baltimore Sun. April 24, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  14. ^ Trezza, Joe. "Means puts pin in impressive rookie campaign," MLB.com, Saturday, September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019
  15. ^ "Orioles' John Means finishes second in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Astros' Yordan Álvarez". The Baltimore Sun. November 11, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  16. ^ "John Means Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  17. ^ Ruiz, Nathan (March 19, 2021). "Orioles name All-Star left-hander John Means as Opening Day starter". baltimoresun.com.
  18. ^ Callihan, Schuyler (May 5, 2021). "BREAKING: WVU Alum John Means Throws No-Hitter vs Seattle Mariners – Sports Illustrated West Virginia Mountaineers News, Analysis and More". Si.com. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  19. ^ Trezza, Joe (May 5, 2021). "27 up, 27 down but NOT perfect? Here's how". MLB.com. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  20. ^ "John Means, Wade Miley named Players of the Week presented by Chevrolet". MLB.com. May 10, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  21. ^ Sepe-Chepuru, Shanthi (May 10, 2021). "Means, Miley earn Player of the Week honors". MLB.com. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  22. ^ "Orioles ace John Means placed on 10-day Injured List with shoulder strain | RSN". Nbcsports.com. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  23. ^ Ruiz, Nathan (July 20, 2021). "John Means struggles in return from injured list as Orioles lose to Rays 9–3". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  24. ^ Callihan, Schuyler (April 3, 2022). "John Means Named Opening Day Starter for Baltimore Orioles". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  25. ^ Silver, Zachary (March 31, 2022). "O's go to Means as Opening Day starter". MLB.com. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  26. ^ Ruiz, Nathan (March 31, 2022). "John Means to start Orioles' opener for second straight season". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  27. ^ Silver, Zachary (April 13, 2022). "Means exits start vs. Crew with left forearm tightness". MLB.com. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  28. ^ "Baltimore Orioles put left-hander John Means on IL, more tests on elbow expected". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  29. ^ Ruiz, Nathan (April 15, 2022). "Orioles put left-hander John Means on 10-day injured list with left elbow strain". Baltimore Sun.
  30. ^ Trezza, Joe; Silver, Zachary (April 16, 2022). "Means (elbow) could miss rest of 2022". MLB.com. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  31. ^ "Baltimore Orioles transfer John Means to 60-day injured list with sprained elbow". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 17, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  32. ^ Kostka, Andy (April 17, 2022). "Orioles place John Means on 60-day injured list as they seek second opinion". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  33. ^ Ruiz, Nathan (April 23, 2022). "Orioles ace Means to have Tommy John surgery, miss remainder of 2022 season: 'It's obviously a blow'". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  34. ^ Silver, Zachary; Evans, Luca (April 23, 2022). "O's ace Means to have Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  35. ^ "Orioles' John Means: Avoids arbitration". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  36. ^ "Orioles Activate John Means". mlbtraderumors.com. September 12, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  37. ^ Rill, Jake. "Means' return encouraging as O's fall to Cards," MLB.com, Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  38. ^ Rill, Jake. "Means flirts with no-no as O's reduce AL East magic number to 5," MLB.com, Saturday, September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  39. ^ "John Means, Tyler Wells To Undergo UCL Surgery". mlbtraderumors.com. May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  40. ^ "Norby in Orioles' lineup for series opener in Toronto (With note on Means' surgery)". June 3, 2024.
  41. ^ "Death Notice – Alan Means," International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 41 (Kansas City, Missouri), Friday, August 07, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  42. ^ Jake Means (profile) – Indiana State University Athletics. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  43. ^ "Caroline and John Means's Wedding Website". The Knot. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  44. ^ "Orioles pitcher John Means found his best form to end 2020, so the only change is his mustache". February 18, 2021.
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