Because this John Means Business

While I prefer not to admit it, I watch Baltimore Oriole games when John Means pitches. Perhaps because he pitches quickly, efficiently, and has worked to an ERA of 2.67 so far this season. Meaning that Means makes Baltimore baseball competitive, if not enjoyable. Unlike some of their other batting practice pitchers. This John Means business.

Throw in the analytical peals of Hall of Famer Jim Palmer (I watch MASN) and the game is not only interesting but becomes fascinating—especially when Palmer breaks down pitching strategy and reminds those of us who don’t know, that he was weaned by Earl Weaver, one of the tougher hombres to believe in the liturgy of the three-run homer and still sit cross-legged on a dugout bench.

So, even though the Orioles are only 9-28 at Camden Yards (21-52 overall, to the tune of a .288 winning percentage), they play like a major league team when Means is on the mound. Mostly because Means has used his newly developed changeup to great effect so far this season. This John Means business.

[To better understand Means’ changeup grip and read about how he developed the pitch, read David Laurila’s article in FanGraphs, May 13, 2019.]

Who is this Guy?

Baltimore selected John Means in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB draft out of the University of West Virginia. For the longest time, he was considered a body in their system. Not a prospect. But then something changed. He decided to work at his craft, honed his art, and put himself on Baltimore’s radar.

Baltimore summoned him in late September 2018. He appeared in one game against the Boston Red Sox. He allowed five runs in 3.2 innings, throwing so-so fastballs and sliders in ineffective relief at Fenway Park. He did not use his changeup once during that appearance. But after an offseason of work, that pattern changed. [For a fascinating discussion of how John Means became John Means, see Jon Meoli’s piece in The Baltimore Sun, April 1, 2019.]

So, Means gets to Sarasota, Florida, one of many young (he’s 26) hurlers hoping to find nirvana in Baltimore’s spring training haven. But first, he had to distinguish himself at Ed Smith Stadium. He did. Eventually convincing Baltimore’s new General Manager Mike Elias that he should occupy a spot on Baltimore’s 25-man roster.

Because this John Means business.

If Only Means Threw a Nasty Third Pitch, too

Means still had to prove himself coming out of the bullpen. His first two relief appearances were in Baltimore’s first two victories of the season against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Baltimore was 2-1 after those three games. Could the World Series be far behind?

By the time Means appeared in his third game, an 8-4 loss to the Yankees on April 4 at Camden Yard, Baltimore was still above .500 at 4-3, but descending. Means, on the other hand, caught Baltimore’s eye and began ascending.

He had thrown 5.2 innings in relief, allowed one earned run, struck out nine and walked two. More importantly, he changed speeds so effectively that some of the Yankees’ sluggers were neutralized before they even swung the bat.

Impressive. Because this John Means business.

Less than a week later Baltimore put Means into their starting rotation. He’s made eight starts and one relief appearance since. In those 43 innings he’s allowed 37 hits, 13 walks, and struck out 29. His ERA has been 3.14 and his won-lost record an acceptable 6-4 for one of the worst teams in baseball. His WHIP of 1.10 is also an impressive reminder of his effectiveness.

“His changeup was a neutralizer,” his manager Brandon Hyde was quoted as saying in the Baltimore Sun. “I think they even knew it was coming a lot of times and still couldn’t stay back. Just a great changeup mix, dotted some fastballs to keep them honest. It was just a great performance.”

Despite a minor velocity boost on his fastball due to a strength-building program, it’s his changeup that has the Orioles thinking they have unearthed a gem that needs more polish. 

Meanwhile, in an article entitled John Means’ Changeup Means Business in FanGraphs, May 29, 2019, Sung Min Kim writes that Means is still a work in progress. An asset being sculpted. A pitcher whose fastball and curveball are hit hard by righty hitters more than Baltimore is comfortable with. Which is why he is viewed as a pitcher who needs a good changeup to neutralize righties. But also a pitcher who must develop a reliable third pitch to get both righties and lefties out.

In short, Means has pitched well so far this season. He has come a long way, but he still has an even longer way to come if he wants to be a reliable and effective starting MLB pitcher. He’s not there yet, but he’s working on it.

Despite the problems the analytics reveal, every time Means takes the mound, the Orioles play exciting baseball, at least for one night. Now, if they only had 10 other John Means, could the World Series be far behind?

Because this John Means business.

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