Agree. Here’s what Hyde said:
“It’s a huge difference,” Hyde said.
“He had the back injury and pretty much shut him down for the rest of the year. To see him healthy right now, to see the way he’s throwing the baseball, this is the best I’ve seen him, honestly. The way he can keep his velocity, how quick his arm is. The secondary stuff has really, really improved. He’s had a really good camp, and he’s in great shape. This is the best he’s looked for me. He did a great job this offseason getting healthy, getting right, preparing for the season. He's really performed well this spring.”
“That’s the biggest thing with Keegan is, one, you can throw him against lefties and righties, and he’s gone multiple innings in the past, he’s been a starter in the past. A guy you feel comfortable with pitching, really, in any sort of situation. Especially the way he’s throwing the ball right now.”
That was before his last outing where he struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced to close out a win.
https://www.masnsports.com/blog/mateo
i can attest that Akin does look to be in the best shape of his life, and is just pounding the strike zone, while releasing his pitches about 8-9 seconds before the clock expires.