John Means (baseball)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Means
John Means (46762721914) (cropped).jpg
Means with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019
Baltimore Orioles – No. 47
Pitcher
Born: (1993-04-24) April 24, 1993 (age 28)
Olathe, Kansas
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 26, 2018, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record20–24
Earned run average3.82
Strikeouts301
Teams
Career highlights and awards

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, and was an All-Star in 2019.

Means threw the tenth no-hitter in Orioles franchise history on May 5, 2021. In doing so, he also became the only pitcher in major league history to pitch a near-perfect game where the only spoiler was a baserunner who reached on a wild pitch strike three.

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 52⁄3 innings, Means was moved into the Orioles' starting rotation.[13]

Means made his first career start on April 9 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 24 against the White Sox, earning his third win of the year and first as a starter. On May 6, 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] 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] On June 6, Means went onto the 10-day injured list with a strained shoulder.[21] Means was activated on July 20, after missing over a month of action.[22]

Personal life[]

Means is married to former professional soccer player Caroline Stanley.[1][23] They welcomed their first child, a son, in 2020.[24] Means is a Christian.[25]

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.

See also[]

References[]

  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.
  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. ^ "John Means Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  17. ^ Ruiz, Nathan. "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. ^ [1][dead link]
  21. ^ "Orioles ace John Means placed on 10-day Injured List with shoulder strain | RSN". Nbcsports.com. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  22. ^ "Orioles Activate John Means".
  23. ^ "Caroline and John Means's Wedding Website". The Knot. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  24. ^ instagram.com. December 17, 2020 https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CJAF0hVgC5C. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ "TABLE FORTY PODCAST: Baltimore Orioles Pitcher John Means & Wife Caroline". Sports Spectrum. October 5, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.

External links[]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
May 5, 2021 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""