Amateur and minor league career Means attended
Gardner Edgerton High School in
Gardner, Kansas. He played for the school's baseball team, but was not recruited by any
NCAA Division I college baseball program. The
Atlanta Braves selected him in the 46th round of the
2011 MLB draft. He intended to sign with the Braves, but was injured when a Braves
scout visited him, and the scout recommended he go to college. Means enrolled at
Fort Scott Community College and played baseball at the
junior college level for one year, before he transferred to
West Virginia University to play for the
West Virginia Mountaineers. In 2013, he played
collegiate summer baseball with the
Falmouth Commodores of the
Cape Cod Baseball League. In 2014, his junior year at West Virginia, he went 6–2 with a 3.13 ERA in 12 starts. The Orioles selected Means in the 11th round, with the 331st overall selection, of the
2014 MLB draft. He pitched for the
Delmarva Shorebirds of the
Single–A South Atlantic League in 2015. He threw a
no-hitter for Delmarva in July. He pitched for the
Frederick Keys of the
High–A Carolina League in 2016, before receiving a midseason promotion to the
Bowie Baysox of the
Double–A Eastern League. He returned to Bowie in 2017. In 2018, he was promoted to the
Norfolk Tides of the
Triple–A International League.
Baltimore Orioles The Orioles promoted Means to the major leagues on September 24, 2018. After a competition in
spring training, the Orioles named Means to the team's
Opening Day roster as a
relief pitcher for the 2019 season. After three appearances out of the bullpen, pitching to a 1.59 ERA in 5 innings, Means was moved into the Orioles'
starting rotation. On June 28, 2019, Means was selected to his first
All-Star Game, his 2.50 ERA ranking second among American League pitchers for the first half of the season. He finished second in
American League Rookie of the Year voting. In the 2020 season, which was shortened by the
COVID-19 pandemic, Means pitched to a 4.53 ERA, 42 strikeouts and a 2–4 record over innings pitched in 10 games pitched, all starts. The Orioles selected Means as their
Opening Day starting pitcher for the 2021 season. On May 5, 2021, he threw a
no-hitter against the
Seattle Mariners, striking out 12 batters while facing the minimum of 27 batters. His only baserunner,
Sam Haggerty, reached on a dropped third strike in the third inning and was subsequently caught trying to steal second base. It was the first no-hitter for the Orioles since 1991 and the first solo no-hitter since
Jim Palmer no-hit the
Oakland Athletics on August 13, 1969. It was also the first no-hitter in MLB history where the only baserunner reached base on an
uncaught third strike. On May 10, Means was named the
AL Player of the Week for week of May 3 to May 9. On June 6, Means went onto the 10-day
injured list with a strained shoulder. Means was activated on July 20, after missing over a month of action. Means was named the Opening Day starter for the 2022 season, and pitched on April 7 against the
Tampa Bay Rays. On April 13, Means pitched four innings against the
Milwaukee Brewers before his removal from the game. He was diagnosed with elbow strain two days later and placed on the 10-day
injured list. Means was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 17. Doctors determined that Means needed
Tommy John surgery, which prematurely ended his 2022 season. He underwent surgery on May 11, 2022. On May 21, Means agreed to a two-year, $5.925 million contract with the Orioles to avoid arbitration. Means spent the majority of the 2023 season rehabilitating from surgery. The Orioles activated him from the injured list on September 12, 2023, and he pitched the first five innings in a 5–2 home loss to the
St. Louis Cardinals later that same night. Means earned his first win in two years two starts later in a 2–1 road victory over the
Cleveland Guardians on September 23 in which he pitched innings including the first without allowing a hit. After missing a short time in 2024 due to injury, Means returned to make four starts and compile a 2.61 ERA with 16 strikeouts across innings pitched. On May 31, 2024, it was announced that Means would be undergoing season-ending surgery to repair damage to his
ulnar collateral ligament. On June 3, Means underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time, effectively ending his season.
Cleveland Guardians On February 19, 2025, Means signed a one-year contract with the
Cleveland Guardians that included a 2026 club option. He did not appear in the major leagues for Cleveland, making seven rehabilitation appearances for the High-A
Lake County Captains and Triple-A
Columbus Clippers. On November 6, the Guardians declined their club option on Means, making him a free agent. On December 18, 2025, Means announced that he was closing in on a contract with an unnamed team when he suffered an
Achilles tendon rupture, effectively ending his season.
Kansas City Royals On February 13, 2026, Means signed a two-year minor league contract with the
Kansas City Royals. ==Personal life==