John Means' journey to Major League Baseball is a testament to perseverance and talent. Selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB draft, Means worked his way through the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 2018. This article explores the path Means took from being a draft pick to stepping onto the mound as a major league pitcher.
Early Career and Draft Selection
John Means was born on April 24, 1993, in Olathe, Kansas. He attended Gardner Edgerton
High School, where he played baseball but was not heavily recruited by NCAA Division I programs. Despite this, the Atlanta Braves selected him in the 46th round of the 2011 MLB draft. However, an injury led a Braves scout to advise him to attend college instead. Means enrolled at Fort Scott Community College, where he played for a year before transferring to West Virginia University.
At West Virginia, Means continued to develop his skills, and in 2013, he played summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores in the Cape Cod Baseball League. By his junior year in 2014, Means had a 6-2 record with a 3.13 ERA in 12 starts, catching the attention of MLB scouts. The Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB draft, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Climbing the Minor League Ladder
After being drafted, Means began his professional career with the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Single-A South Atlantic League in 2015. He quickly made an impression by throwing a no-hitter in July of that year. His performance earned him a promotion to the Frederick Keys of the High-A Carolina League in 2016. Means continued to progress, receiving a midseason promotion to the Bowie Baysox of the Double-A Eastern League.
Means returned to Bowie in 2017, where he honed his skills further. In 2018, he was promoted to the Norfolk Tides of the Triple-A International League. His consistent performance in the minors paved the way for his eventual call-up to the major leagues.
Major League Debut
The Baltimore Orioles promoted John Means to the major leagues on September 24, 2018. He made his MLB debut on September 26, 2018, marking a significant milestone in his career. Means' journey from a late-round draft pick to a major league pitcher is a story of determination and hard work.
Means' debut was just the beginning of his career with the Orioles, where he would go on to achieve significant milestones, including being named an All-Star in 2019 and throwing a no-hitter in 2021. His journey through the minor leagues and eventual rise to the majors exemplifies the dedication required to succeed in professional baseball.
