Injury Case Study: LHP, John Means, Baltimore Orioles
Overview
Since the start of the 2022 season, John Means has earned approximately $102,778 per inning pitched, totaling $9.25 million for 90 innings of work. Unfortunately, he will now join a growing list of MLB pitchers who have undergone two Tommy John surgeries. Despite demonstrating a similar pitching delivery from 2021 to 2024, Means’ mechanics have not protected him from these injuries.
This article aims to shed light on two main points:
The Necessity of Adjusting Pitching Mechanics: Implementing corrective measures in John Means' delivery sequence can help extend his career and the careers of pitchers like him.
Recognizing Early Signs of Impending Major Arm Injuries: These signals act as a "check elbow" warning light, indicating the need for immediate adjustments to prevent further damage.
Career Breakdown
Innings Pitched:
MLB: 401 innings
Minor League: 671 innings
Amateur: 183.4 innings
Total: 1254 innings
Contract Breakdown:
3/5/2019: Signed one-year contract for $555,500
3/5/2020: Signed one-year contract for $580,000
3/5/2021: Signed one-year contract for $593,500
3/21/2022: Signed two-year contract for $5.925 million (avoiding arbitration)
1/11/2024: Signed one-year contract for $3.325 million (arbitration)
Injury History:
6/20/2019: Left shoulder strain
7/26/2019: Left bicep strain
7/22/2020: Arm fatigue
6/6/2021: Left shoulder strain
4/4/2022: Tommy John Surgery
3/28/2024: Left forearm strain
5/23/2024: Tommy John Surgery
Analysis of Pitching Mechanics
In preparation for this article, I collected footage of Means' pitching delivery from 2021 to 2024. The video clip opens with an image of Means during the Arm Acceleration phase, highlighting the closed orientation of his right foot and knee while the throwing arm is close to max external rotation.
Issues Identified:
Closed Orientation of the Front Leg:
During the Arm Acceleration phase, the knee faces first base. This restricts arm impulse by preventing the upper body's mass from continuing its momentum toward the plate, forcing the throwing arm into early pronation and increasing torsion levels on the elbow.
Premature Recoil of the Throwing Arm:
Means recoils the throwing arm too soon, prohibiting full deceleration of the throwing arm.
To illustrate a more efficient delivery, I've included a clip of Roger Clemens at the end of the attached video. Clemens demonstrates an optimal front leg opening, which facilitates the transfer of upper-body mass and allows the throwing arm to decelerate fully.
Impact of Mechanical Adjustments
John Means pitched 83 innings between his Tommy John surgeries and will now miss the 2025 season. In 2021, Means was close to securing another high-dollar contract if he had remained healthy through arbitration.
Imagine if Means had made a simple adjustment to open his pelvis, dispersing the force through the throwing arm more efficiently on each pitch. This adjustment could have prolonged his pitching career and potentially increased his earnings significantly.
Conclusion
The unfortunate reality is that Means’ injuries were a significant blow for the Orioles, who also lost Tyler Wells to Tommy John surgery in the same week. This case study highlights the critical importance of making mechanical adjustments and recognizing early injury signs to extend the careers of pitchers and protect their long-term health and financial stability.
Final Thoughts
At DVS Baseball, we are committed to helping pitchers like John Means make the necessary adjustments to their mechanics to reduce injury risk and enhance performance. Our DVS X-Ray Mocap Kit and software provide the tools and insights needed to achieve these goals. Visit dvsbaseball.com to learn more about how our solutions can support your pitching development and protect your athletes’ futures.
