The Kansas City Royals have secured a two-year minor league agreement with southpaw pitcher John Means, a native son of Gardner, Kansas. Means, a distinguished All-Star in 2019 with the Baltimore Orioles, has endured a challenging four-year period marked by a series of debilitating injuries. This strategic signing offers Means a crucial opportunity to reinvigorate his professional baseball journey with his local team, following a protracted battle with physical setbacks. His path back to the mound is anticipated to be a testament to his resilience and dedication.
John Means' Journey: From All-Star to Injury Recovery
John Means, a Gardner, Kansas native, has officially joined the Kansas City Royals on a two-year minor league contract, marking a pivotal moment in his career. A former All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019, Means showcased immense promise, achieving 12 wins with an impressive 3.60 ERA and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting. His career was further highlighted by a no-hitter in 2021. However, the subsequent years have been a relentless battle against injuries, significantly impacting his time on the field. This new chapter with the Royals represents a significant opportunity for the southpaw pitcher to overcome his physical challenges and reignite his once-bright career trajectory.
Means' professional path began after graduating from Gardner-Edgerton High School and attending Fort Scott Community College, leading to his drafting by the Orioles. After his debut in 2018, he quickly rose to prominence, becoming an All-Star in 2019 and starting for Baltimore on Opening Day in 2021, where he pitched a memorable no-hitter. His trajectory was severely disrupted in 2022 by an elbow injury necessitating Tommy John surgery, limiting him to just two starts. Despite a promising return in late 2023, his velocity was reduced in four starts in 2024 before another ulnar collateral ligament injury led to a second Tommy John surgery. Further compounding his challenges, Means ruptured his Achilles in December, requiring yet another surgical procedure. This extensive history of injuries underscores the arduous road he has traveled, making his new contract with the Royals a significant step in his ongoing recovery and aspirations to return to top-tier baseball.
The Road Ahead: Means' Comeback with the Royals
Means' signing with the Royals signifies more than just a contract; it's a profound commitment to his return to the mound. After a challenging year within the Guardians' organization, where he made seven minor league starts, and the subsequent Achilles injury, his resilience is being put to the ultimate test. The Royals are providing a platform for Means to meticulously work through his rehabilitation and recovery, offering him the opportunity to rediscover the form that once made him an All-Star. This phase is crucial for him to regain his strength, refine his mechanics, and ultimately prove his readiness to contribute at a high level once again.
His journey back has been fraught with physical obstacles, including a demanding recovery from his second Tommy John surgery and the subsequent rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Each step of this recovery process will be critical, demanding disciplined adherence to rehabilitation protocols and a focused effort to rebuild his pitching arsenal. The Royals' decision to invest in Means reflects a belief in his potential and a willingness to support his comeback. As he embarks on this two-year minor league deal, the baseball world will be watching closely, anticipating the resurgence of a pitcher whose talent was undeniable before being sidelined by a series of formidable injuries. His performance in the minor leagues will be key to assessing his readiness for a return to Major League Baseball.
