| John Means | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Means with theBaltimore Orioles in 2019 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1993-04-24)April 24, 1993 (age 32) Olathe, Kansas, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 26, 2018, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 23–26 |
| Earned run average | 3.68 |
| Strikeouts | 334 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
John Alan Means (born April 24, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theBaltimore Orioles. The Orioles selected Means in the 11th round of the2014 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2018.
Means was anAll-Star in 2019. He threw thetenth no-hitter in Orioles franchise history on May 5, 2021.
Means attendedGardner Edgerton High School inGardner, Kansas. He played for the school's baseball team, but was not recruited by anyNCAA Division Icollege baseball program.[1] TheAtlanta Braves selected him in the 46th round of the2011 MLB draft.[2] He intended to sign with the Braves, but was injured when a Bravesscout visited him, and the scout recommended he go to college. Means enrolled atFort Scott Community College and played baseball at thejunior college level for one year, before he transferred toWest Virginia University to play for theWest Virginia Mountaineers.[3][4] In 2013, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theFalmouth Commodores of theCape 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 the2014 MLB draft.[6][7] He pitched for theDelmarva Shorebirds of theSingle–ASouth Atlantic League in 2015.[8] He threw ano-hitter for Delmarva in July.[9] He pitched for theFrederick Keys of theHigh–ACarolina League in 2016, before receiving a midseason promotion to theBowie Baysox of theDouble–AEastern League. He returned to Bowie in 2017.[10] In 2018, he was promoted to theNorfolk Tides of theTriple–AInternational League.[3]
The Orioles promoted Means to the major leagues on September 24, 2018.[11] After a competition inspring training, the Orioles named Means to the team'sOpening Day roster as arelief 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]
On June 28, 2019, Means was selected to his firstAll-Star Game, his 2.50 ERA ranking second among American League pitchers for the first half of the season.[1] Starting in 27 of 31 pitching appearances, he completed his rookie campaign at 12–11 with a 3.60 ERA.[14] He finished second inAmerican League Rookie of the Year voting.[15] In the 2020 season, which was shortened by theCOVID-19 pandemic, Means pitched to a 4.53 ERA, 42 strikeouts and a 2–4 record over43+2⁄3 innings pitched in 10 games pitched, all starts.[16]
The Orioles selected Means as theirOpening Day starting pitcher for the 2021 season.[17] On May 5, 2021, he threw ano-hitter against theSeattle 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 sinceJim Palmer no-hit theOakland Athletics on August 13, 1969.[18] It was also the first no-hitter in MLB history where the only baserunner reached base on anuncaught third strike.[19] On May 10, Means was named theAL Player of the Week for week of May 3 to May 9.[20][21] On June 6, Means went onto the 10-dayinjured 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 theTampa Bay Rays. On April 13, Means pitched four innings against theMilwaukee Brewers before his removal from the game.[27] He was diagnosed with elbow strain two days later and placed on the 10-dayinjured list.[28][29][30] Means was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 17.[31][32] Doctors determined that Means neededTommy 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 theSt. Louis Cardinals later that same night.[36][37] Means earned his first win in two years two starts later in a 2–1 road victory over theCleveland Guardians on September 23 in which he pitched8+1⁄3 innings including the first7+2⁄3 without allowing a hit.[38]
After missing a short time in 2024 due to injury, Means returned to make four starts and compile a 2.61 ERA with 16 strikeouts across20+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 31, 2024, it was announced that Means would be undergoing season-ending surgery to repair damage to hisulnar collateral ligament.[39] On June 3, Means underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time, effectively ending his season.[40]
On February 19, 2025, Means signed a one-year contract with theCleveland Guardians that included a 2026 club option.[41] He did not appear in the major leagues for Cleveland, making seven rehabilitation appearances for the High-ALake County Captains and Triple-AColumbus Clippers. On November 6, the Guardians declined their club option on Means, making him a free agent.[42]
Means' father Alan worked with theInternational Brotherhood of Teamsters for more than 30 years. Alan was the Local 41 (Kansas City, Missouri) Secretary/Treasurer just before his death frompancreatic cancer at age 57 on August 5, 2020.[43] His younger brother Jake played college baseball atIndiana State University before being selected by theKansas City Royals in the 22nd round (475th overall) of the2019 Major League Baseball Draft.[44]
Means is married to former professional soccer playerCaroline Stanley.[1][45] They had their first child, a son, in 2020.[46]
· Baseball Almanac| Awards and achievements | ||
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| Preceded by | No-hitter pitcher May 5, 2021 | Succeeded by |
