I've been wanting them to let him pitch deeper into games for years now.
My guess is part of the reason he was pulled today was because he was in line for his first win.
Welp, he went 91 pitches and the O's haven't conditioned him to go deeper into games than that.
I don't have the numbers on hand but I'm not sure he ever hit 100 pitches in a start in the minors, if he did it was pretty rare.
That's not a thing.
You can absolutely strike guys out and be pitch efficient.
Top 10 in K/9 last season-
1.
Rodón • SFG
11.983
2.
Ohtani • LAA
11.873
3.
Cole • NYY
11.527
4.
Cease • CHW
11.103
5.
Burnes • MIL
10.827
6.
Morton • ATL
10.727
7.
Gausman • TOR
10.563
8.
McClanahan • TBR
10.497
9.
Nola • PHI
10.317
10.
Ray • SEA
10.095
When his barrel%, hard hit %, exit velocity and stuff stop being very good?
As for a replacement, you did see where Kjerstad has been starting at first right?
I agree.
Unless he breaks first.
I just don't like the idea of anointing one coach as being something special.
It seems to me that every coach has some success stories and some guys they can't help.
I don't think you can plan around the assumption that Means will be back and pitching well enough to be a difference maker this season.
It might very well happen but that can't be a key component of your strategy.