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Assessment
Start with Premier’s Comprehensive Assessment, covering physical, biomechanics, pitch quality and strength & power testing, to identify exactly what you need to work on.
Premier Champion
Left-Handed Pitcher · Olathe, Kansas · Kansas City Royals Organization
Player Bio
John Means is a Major League left-handed pitcher from Olathe, Kansas, who has built an impressive professional career through consistency, preparation, and perseverance. After beginning his collegiate career at Fort Scott Community College, Means transferred to West Virginia University, where he developed into an MLB Draft prospect. The Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, and he made his Major League debut on September 26, 2018.
Means quickly established himself as one of Baltimore’s top starting pitchers, earning an American League All-Star selection in 2019 and throwing a no-hitter in 2021. Over 78 Major League appearances, he has recorded a 3.68 career ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 401 innings.
As of 2026, Means is continuing his professional career in the Kansas City Royals organization. After working his way back from significant injuries, he returned to game action during the 2026 season and is currently pitching with Triple-A Omaha. His journey from Kansas high school baseball to the Major Leagues—and his ability to continue competing through the challenges of a professional career—make John an outstanding representation of the commitment, resilience, and pursuit of development that the Premier Champions program represents.
Relationship With Premier
John Means’ relationship with Premier Pitching & Performance began during the 2018 offseason, shortly after making his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles. Looking for a way to take the next step in his career, John committed to traveling from Kansas to St. Louis each week to train at Premier, with an initial focus on increasing velocity, improving his biomechanics and getting more out of his body. The results helped fuel a breakout 2019 season in which his fastball jumped several miles per hour, he earned his first MLB All-Star selection and finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting. John has been extremely open about Premier’s impact on his career, telling Baltimore reporter Steve Melewski, “It saved my career.” He explained that Premier helped him develop greater consistency in his delivery, better understand how his body moves and recognize how to maximize the qualities he already possessed as a pitcher. That relationship has continued well beyond his initial breakout, making John’s role as a Premier Champion a natural extension of a partnership built around development, trust and a shared commitment to continually improving.
It saved my career.
Champion Memberships
Ready to start your own development journey? Use John’s Champion links below to choose the Premier membership that fits your goals.
Start with Premier’s Comprehensive Assessment, covering physical, biomechanics, pitch quality and strength & power testing, to identify exactly what you need to work on.
Train from anywhere with individualized Premier programming and ongoing support from our coaching staff.
Train in person with Premier’s coaching staff and development technology, following a plan built around your assessment.
Schedule a call with our team and we’ll help you choose the right path for your goals.