Holt one of engineers of Means' breakout

Watching John Means complete his no-hitter against the Mariners on Wednesday from as good a vantage point as anyone in the Orioles' dugout, Chris Holt bore witness to what he called Friday “an amazing, amazing performance.” Holt is not alone in that assessment. But his opinion comes with deeper perspective than most.

Means’ journey from non-prospect to near-perfection can't truly be told in full without mention of Holt, who was brand new on the job as the Orioles' Minor League pitching coordinator in the spring of 2019 when Means’ career unexpectedly took off. Armed with technology previously unavailable in the organization, Means and Holt worked together that spring to fine-tune Means' now signature changeup and to hone the reduced exit velocity he found that winter at P3 Premier Pitching and Performance in St. Louis.

Two years later, Means looks like a lock for his second All-Star Game appearance, and he is emerging as one of the best pitchers in baseball. Holt is in his first year as the Orioles' pitching coach and second as director of pitching, and he is growing into one of the industry’s most respected pitching voices in the player development space. Their ascensions are occurring in parallel.

“I saw the potential in what he has available to work with, similar to discussions I have with any pitcher. And [I had] an opportunity to meet with him and get to know him, see where he felt like he was good and how he was working to take a step forward in what he had available,” Holt said Friday. “You work to give them accurate information and lead them in the right direction.”

One major element of rebuilding is bringing new talent into the organization via the Draft, signings, etc. Another is development -- molding the inherited talent. Three years into the Orioles’ rebuild, Means is the poster boy for the current regime’s strength in the latter category. Even though he deferred credit Friday, Holt is a big reason why.

“John Means is a self-made, self-motivated guy who took a little information and ran with it,” Holt said. “He’s one of the most consistent, hard-working athletes I've ever encountered.”

Brotherly love
While the Orioles’ celebration was sizable on the field and in the clubhouse after Means made history in Seattle, the best immediate reaction may have come from a Minor League clubhouse on the other side of the country. Watching with his Class A Columbia Fireflies teammates before their game against the Augusta GreenJackets, Means’ younger brother Jacob kept close tabs on Means’ outing, erupting in cheers when the no-hitter was complete.

A 22nd-round Draft pick of the Royals in 2019, Jacob Means is a third baseman and left fielder embarking on his second season in Kansas City’s system. He was the only live batter John Means faced for long stretches in '20, with the siblings training together in the early months of the pandemic.

From the trainer’s room
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde on Friday said injured outfielder Anthony Santander is “very close” to resuming baseball activities for the first time since spraining his right ankle April 20. Hyde said Santander has been cleared to jog on the ankle, which he injured returning to first base on an attempted pickoff in Miami. Santander will likely need at least a short rehab assignment. If all goes well, he could be back in the O's lineup by the end of the month.

“Hopefully, he's a week or two weeks away,” Hyde said.

Rookie right-hander Mac Sceroler (right shoulder tendinitis) is also nearing his return. On the injured list since April 13, Sceroler threw a side session this week, according to Hyde. The Rule 5 Draft pick allowed three runs over his first two big league appearances before landing on the IL.

“Both guys are heading in the right direction,” Hyde said.

Honorary Bat Girl
Each Mother’s Day, Major League Baseball selects an Honorary Bat Girl to represent each MLB club in support of the annual “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. This year, the Orioles will honor Mary Simpler, a cardiovascular pre and recovery unit nurse in the critical care resuscitation unit at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital.

In 2013, Simpler went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment for breast cancer. After beating cancer, Simpler formed a nonprofit charity called Mary’s Army, which holds volunteer fundraisers to provide support to breast cancer patients.

For each team’s 2021 honorary bat girl and their stories, go to MLB.com/HonoraryBatGirl.