Means chosen as Orioles representative for All-Star Game

Rookie left-hander John Means didn't expect to break camp with the Orioles. Didn't expect to crack the rotation and become one of the most reliable pitchers on the staff.

Didn't think having to stop inside his manager's office before today's game was leading to good news.

The surprises keep coming to Means, who learned today that he's been chosen to the American League All-Star team. The announcement was made on ESPN.

Means, 26, will be the only Orioles representative on July 9 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, an honor born from his 7-4 record, 2.50 ERA and 1.097 WHIP in 17 games. Opponents are batting .219 against him.

"Going into spring training I was just trying to make a statement to the coaches to hopefully get a call-up at some point this year," he said. "I ended up being the last man on the roster. At the start of this year, just trying to go out there and do my best and see what happens, and now we're here.

"There's some obviously great players going to the All-Star Game and I was joking around in the dugout that the minute I start introducing myself they're going to be like, 'Who? Who are you?' But no, it will be a lot of fun and an opportunity to especially pick guys' brains that have been pitching for a long time.

"I haven't even looked at the roster. I haven't even thought about it. There'll be some guys that I get to talk to."

The AL roster doesn't include outfielder Trey Mancini, who began today batting .302/.358/.548 with 19 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 40 RBIs in 77 games. He went 1-for-4 in a 2-0 loss to the Indians.

His name belongs on any list of snubs.

The Orioles will have one representative for the third year in a row following second baseman Jonathan Schoop in 2017 and shortstop Manny Machado in 2018, the latter voted a starter. They had five players in 2016: Machado, catcher Matt Wieters, outfielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo, and pitchers Zack Britton and Brad Brach.

A streak of five consecutive years with multiple players began after Wieters was the lone Orioles rep in 2011. They had only one in 10 of 11 seasons from 2001-2011.

The last pitcher to serve as the only rep was reliever George Sherrill in 2008. Before Sherrill was Jim Palmer in 1975.

"We're excited for John to make the All-Star team," said manager Brandon Hyde. "It was an unbelievable moment to be able to tell him. I am really happy for him and it's well-deserved. He's had an All-Star first half and I am really happy for him. He's going to really enjoy it.

"That's an incredible few days for a guy that never made a minor-league All-Star team. He told me today that he didn't make all-conference in college. Barely made our club out of spring training and he's an All-Star. It's really, really cool. Cool story."

Means began the season in the bullpen before making his first start on April 9. Armed with a plus-changeup and a tick more velocity on his fastball, Means has completed five innings in 12 of his 13 starts and allowed two earned runs or fewer in the last five.

The 11th-round pick in 2014 out of West Virginia University made a triumphant return from the injured list Friday night by shutting out the Indians on one hit over five innings. He had gone on the IL with a strained left shoulder.

Means will make his next start Wednesday night against the Rays at Tropicana Field. He'd be working on an extra day of rest if used in the All-Star Game.

"What a great achievement for John," said executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. "He has been one of the best pitchers in the American League East and I think this is just the start for him. He works as hard as anyone and is a huge part of our future."

Hyde summoned Means and delivered the news with Elias.

"I wasn't sure why I was going into the office," said Means, the first homegrown All-Star pitcher since Britton in 2016 and first Orioles starter since Chris Tillman in 2013. "Actually, I walked in there and I was like, 'I was trying to stay out of this office as much as possible at the start of the year,' because that's how you get sent down. But he said, 'Yeah, you're an All-Star.' I was just sitting there and I'm like, 'You're joking, this isn't that funny.' So, it was awesome. He was like, 'Very happy for you.'"

"He thought I was kidding," Hyde said. "Or he said, 'You better not be kidding.'

"Those moments are ones you always remember. Those are the awesome moments in this game. To be able to share him the news, me and Mike were in the room together, to let him know was awesome."

Sort of like the day in Sarasota that Hyde was able to tell Means that he made the club.

"This one was a little bit more ... he lit up," Hyde said. "I think he was overwhelmed. He shared with us after he never made an All-Star team and all of these things. So for him to accomplish this is incredible and well-deserved.

"This guy has been so good - 7-4 with a 2.5 in the American League East - and has really pitched well."

Pitching out of the bullpen and his trip to the IL have conspired to limit Means to only 75 2/3 innings this season. The Astros' Justin Verlander began the day leading the majors with 119 2/3 innings.

The 68 innings that Means has accumulated as a starter rank 100th in the majors.

Perhaps he can relax now when he's called into the manager's office.

"Yeah, maybe once my options are up," he said, smiling. "But since I have all my options, until then, no, I don't think I'll be over it."

Who did he think about as he walked back inside the clubhouse?

"A whole bunch of people came to mind," he said. "My fiancé, who's here right now, my dad. Everybody who's had a part in it."

Teammates picked up on the clues and rushed over to congratulate him.

"Everyone came up and was super happy for me," he said. "I came out of the office with a big smile on my face so it was kind of hard to hide and everybody kind of started coming up after that."

Means will have more time later to reflect on his remarkable climb. From a longshot on the camp roster to All-Star.

"Honestly, I haven't been too surprised," he said. "I'm very competitive and I have high standards for myself. I guess a little surprised that it's come to this level, but not a whole lot."

Mancini finished 15th among AL outfielders in voting. The top nine in balloting advanced to the next round with an opportunity to start.

The starting AL outfield will consist of the Angels' Mike Trout and the Astros' George Springer and Michael Brantley.

Mancini can only be included on the roster if chosen to replace an injured player. Otherwise, he's home during the break, a shocking development.

"I really think Trey's an All-Star, too," Means said. "He's everything an All-Star can be and I wish he could join me going. He was one of the first people to come up and give me a hug and he's really, really happy for me, but I mean, that guy is exactly what an All-Star should be."

The organization made a heavy promotional push for Mancini, including players urging fans in person to vote for him. Relievers Richard Bleier and Mychal Givens led the charge within the clubhouse.

"I'm disappointed," Hyde said. "We all think that Trey Mancini is an All-Star. I'm disappointed a little bit. I'm disappointed a lot, to be honest with you. I feel like he deserved to be on the team and he's done everything he could. If you ask around the league, there's a lot of people who think he's an All Star.

"That was a tough conversation today. I just feel like he should be on the team. I hope this is motivation for our fans to get out and vote next year and get some of these Orioles in the game that deserve it."

Hyde said he never spoke to AL manager Alex Cora offering his input.

"Mike was in contact with the league about it," Hyde said.