Mountaineers in the Pros

Mountaineers in the Pros: John Means Named Opening Day Starter for Baltimore

Published

3 years ago

March 31, 2021

(Photo via mlb.com)

For the second season in a row, former West Virginia pitcher John Means has been named the Baltimore Orioles Opening Day starter. Means will pitch against the Boston Red Sox when the two teams kick off the 2021 season at 2:10 p.m. in Boston on Wednesday.

John Means is the Orioles' Opening Day starter, Brandon Hyde said. He was supposed to have that honor last year, but missed it through arm soreness. Hyde: "He told me he was going to make it this time."

— Jon Meoli (@JonMeoli) March 19, 2021

Means was named the Orioles’ Opening Day starter last season as well, but an arm injury kept him from actually making the start. The 2019 All-Star started 10 games for the Orioles last season, going 2-4 with a 4.53 ERA. In 43.2 innings, he stuck out 42 batters and allowed just seven walks.

Means had a 3.24 career ERA in 141.2 innings in two seasons at WVU in 2013-14. The Orioles drafted him in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB draft. He spent five seasons in the minors before debuting in 2018.