LHP John Means is ready for his opportunity

[Tony-OH]

In a season in which the Orioles are trotting out Jimmy Yacabonis and Yefry Rodriguez as starters, it's time to give John Means a look. Means has a 2.28 ERA and 38 Ks and 3 BBs in his last 6 starts at Norfolk. He has seemed to have found the consistency that has eluded him over his career. Means has always flashed major league stuff at times, but it just came and went so often it was tough to think of him as more than a fringe prospect. 

I'm going to go back and watch some of his starts of late, but at the end of the game, if you are going to give opportunities to young pitchers and see what they've got, it's time to give John Means some starts. Yacabonis and Rodriguez are not long term solutions as starters. means may not be either, but in a lost season, there's no reason not to give him a shot.

 

[scbalt52]

3 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

In a season in which the Orioles are trotting out Jimmy Yacobonis and Yefry Rodriguez as starters, it's time to give John Means a look. Means has a 2.28 ERA and 38 Ks and 3 BBs in his last 6 starts at Norfolk. He has seemed to have found the consistency that has eluded him over his career. Means has always flashed major league stuff at times, but it just came and went so often it was tough to think of him as more than a fringe prospect. 

I'm going to go back and watch some of his starts of late, but at the end of the game, if you are going to give opportunities to young pitchers and see what they've got, it's time to give John Means some starts. Yacobonis and Rodriguez are not long term solutions as starters. means may not be either, but in a lost season, there's no reason not to give him a shot.

 

*Ramirez  

 

Yes I agree give Means a shot.

Edited July 10, 2018 by scbalt52

[Hank Scorpio]

By all Means.

FTW.

[TouchemAll]

Agree on Yacobonis, I'll hold out on Rodriguez for a bit yet. 

Hell ya give Means a shot.

[Tony-OH]

12 minutes ago, scbalt52 said:

*Ramirez  

 

Yes I agree give Means a shot.

Whoops! Fingers did not type what the brain told them to! lol

[Luke-OH]

From my offseason prospect rankings,

#31 – JOHN MEANS – LHP – AA – 24

A tall, lean lefty, Means has an easy high 3/4 delivery.  He works fast on the mound and offers a 3 pitch mix.  The fastball sits 91-92 and can touch 94.  It is pretty flat but he can move it around some.  His best pitch in my opinion is his above average deceptive changeup, it looks like a fastball out of his hand but has a good velocity gap and backs up armside.  He also throws a fringe average curveball that works on lefties but isn’t sharp enough to play against righties.  He has above average to plus control, his command is a step behind and can get away from him when he’s struggling.  The stuff isn’t going to wow anyone, but I think he can eat innings as a 5th starter/swingman.  I think the stuff could play up in a relief role if he’s just too hittable as a starter.

 

[Legend_Of_Joey]

I feel like he is playing with a chip on his shoulder after not getting put on the 40 man roster in December, with Hess and Wynns.

His strike out rate has increased, even more so after getting to Norfolk.

[ScGO's]

I think Akin should get the bump to AAA and if he does well after 5 starts or so, he should get an opportunity in September.

[Luke-OH]

4 minutes ago, ScGO's said:

I think Akin should get the bump to AAA and if he does well after 5 starts or so, he should get an opportunity in September.

I think Akin needs to show he's fully healthy after a couple of bad outings and his groin issue before a promotion.

[Moose Milligan]

Nickname is "business."

John Means Business.

I am for it, give this guy some innings.  See what he can do.

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

Nickname is "business."

John Means Business.

I am for it, give this guy some innings.  See what he can do.

Worst case scenario he's still better than Tillman.

[Moose Milligan]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

Worst case scenario he's still better than Tillman.

You're better than Tillman.  Being better than Tillman is not a lofty bar.

[Redskins Rick]

36 minutes ago, Luke-OH said:

From my offseason prospect rankings,

#31 – JOHN MEANS – LHP – AA – 24

A tall, lean lefty, Means has an easy high 3/4 delivery.  He works fast on the mound and offers a 3 pitch mix.  The fastball sits 91-92 and can touch 94.  It is pretty flat but he can move it around some.  His best pitch in my opinion is his above average deceptive changeup, it looks like a fastball out of his hand but has a good velocity gap and backs up armside.  He also throws a fringe average curveball that works on lefties but isn’t sharp enough to play against righties.  He has above average to plus control, his command is a step behind and can get away from him when he’s struggling.  The stuff isn’t going to wow anyone, but I think he can eat innings as a 5th starter/swingman.  I think the stuff could play up in a relief role if he’s just too hittable as a starter.

 

Fastball 91-92, hitting 94 doesn't bother me.

When I read, there isnt much movement or its flat, that scares me, those guys get hit in the big leagues, like its batting practice.

Orioles had a hot lefty back in the black era. Hitting 100 MPH with ease, with no movement, and it left the park at 200 MPH all day long.

With the curve only working against lefties, brings back memories of Matusz and lefty specialist.

But, hell, I agree, this season is toast, so why not?

[Luke-OH]

2 minutes ago, Redskins Rick said:

Fastball 91-92, hitting 94 doesn't bother me.

When I read, there isnt much movement or its flat, that scares me, those guys get hit in the big leagues, like its batting practice.

Orioles had a hot lefty back in the black era. Hitting 100 MPH with ease, with no movement, and it left the park at 200 MPH all day long.

With the curve only working against lefties, brings back memories of Matusz and lefty specialist.

But, hell, I agree, this season is toast, so why not?

Yes he's got a hittable FB, just like Yefry Ramirez and David Hess. It's one of those things, you can make it work if you have good secondaries and command your pitches well. It can work, but it's a very fine line. There is a reason why guys with hittable fastballs and without a wipeout offspeed pitch aren't highly ranked prospects.

[OrioleRedenbacher]

At this point he should at least replace Chris Lee on the 40 man and become another optionable piece.  I hate that for Lee because he had so much promise, but the injury bug keeps getting him.  I believe Lee is out of options after this year.