John Means (baseball)

John Alan Means (born April 24, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2018.

John Means
Means with the Baltimore Orioles at the U.S. Naval Academy in 2019
Baltimore Orioles – No. 47
Pitcher
Born: (1993-04-24) April 24, 1993
Olathe, Kansas
Bats: Left Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 26, 2018, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
(through August 4, 2020)
Win–loss record12–12
Earned run average3.97
Strikeouts131
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Career

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 Class 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 Class A-Advanced Carolina League in 2016, before receiving a midseason promotion to the Bowie Baysox of the Class AA Eastern League. He returned to Bowie in 2017.[10] In 2018, he was promoted to the Norfolk Tides of the Class AAA International League.[3]

Major leagues

The Orioles promoted Means to the major leagues on September 24, 2018.[11] Means was named to the team's Opening Day roster for the 2019 season.[12] After three appearances out of the bullpen, pitching to a 1.59 ERA in 5​2⁄3 innings, Means was moved into the O's starting rotation.[13]

Means made his first career start on April 9th against the Oakland Athletics, pitching three innings while allowing one run. After two more appearances, Means tossed five innings of one-run ball on April 24th against the White Sox, earning his third win of the year and first as a starter. On May 6th, he threw a career-high seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out four in a 4-1 win over the Red Sox.

On June 28, 2019, Means was selected to his first All-Star Game as a 26-year old rookie, 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]

Personal life

Means is married to former professional soccer player Caroline Stanley.[1][16] Means has a younger brother, Jake, who played college baseball at Indiana State University before being selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 22nd round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft.

References
  1. 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. "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.
  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. 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. 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. "Caroline and John Means's Wedding Website". The Knot. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
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