2016 #4 Prospect: Keegan Akin - LHP

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Yeah, but I'd be against it unless we have a rash of injuries.    

I'm hoping he and Akin can split the year between Frederick and Bowie and work on their craft, learn how to go 6+ innings at the professional level on a regular basis, etc.    

If it were only for two or three weeks I'd be fine with it.

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

Besides Bundy getting a cup of coffee that one September, I don't see the Orioles rushing up starting prospects for the bullpen especially in A ball where Sedlock is likely to be most of the year.     Much more likely to see guys like Liranzo, Wright, Lee, Bridwell, and Hess tried in the bullpen first and even most of those guys are low percentage unless our fairly deep bullpen disintegrates. 

You don't think Gausman qualifies? (5 GS 15 relief appearances)?

[Frobby]

19 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

You don't think Gausman qualifies? (5 GS 15 relief appearances)?

He does.    I don't think Sedlock is as good a prospect as Gausman, and I wasn't crazy about how we brought Gausman along that first year anyway.   I'm also in no hurry to start Sedlock's options clock.   

[Can_of_corn]

5 minutes ago, Frobby said:

He does.    I don't think Sedlock is as good a prospect as Gausman, and I wasn't crazy about how we brought Gausman along that first year anyway.   I'm also in no hurry to start Sedlock's options clock.   

I didn't say I was in favor of it, just that if it were for a limited about of time I wouldn't be opposed.

[Frobby]

3 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

I didn't say I was in favor of it, just that if it were for a limited about of time I wouldn't be opposed.

I understand.   But even if it's for a limited time and doesn't disrupt his development, it still means the O's start using up his options in 2018 at the latest (2017 if he's called up and then sent back down).    I really don't want to do that unless we are desperate for relief help.  

[Frobby]

56 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

A fair point.  However Gausman started his 2013 season in Bowie whereas Sedlock MIGHT start at Frederick.   I would not be shocked to see Sedlock start at Delmarva.

I'd be a little surprised.   Garrett Olson started at Frederick.   Arrieta did.   As I posted in another thread, there's a bit of a logjam in Frederick this year, but I think they'll want to push Sedlock and Akin along.

[OFFNY]

On 11/21/2016 at 10:08 PM, Tony-OH said:

 

Keegan Akin - LHP

6' 0" 225

Bats: L Throws: L

Age: 21

2016 Team: IronBirds SS

Career stats

Most Likely Major League Role: 3rd/4th starter

Ceiling: #2 starter

Floor: Left-handed reliever

Background: The Orioles drafted Keegan in the 2nd round (54th overall) of the 2016 draft out of Western Michigan University after an outstanding Junior season (1.82 ERA, 109 IP, 72 H, HR, 30 BB, 133 K, .192 AVG). MLB.com said this about Akin coming out of college - "One of the hardest-throwing lefty starters in the college ranks, Akin usually pitches at 91-94 mph and peaks at 96 with late life on his fastball. Though he's not a big guy, he maintains his velocity deep into games and generates it without much effort in his delivery. There's some debate as to which is better, his low-80s slider or his tumbling changeup, but both should be at least average offerings. Akin has three pitches and fills the strike zone, so he'll definitely be a starter going forward. He fared well against quality competition in the Cape Cod League last summer, another point in his favor."

2016: Like several other college starters they drafted in 2016, the Orioles eased Akin into pro ball due to his college workload assigning him to short season Aberdeen and limiting him to three innings a start. No one had a better pro debut as he dominated New York Penn League batters. Allowed earned runs in two of his first three starts before not allowing a run in his last six three inning starts. Over his last 12 innings he struck out 17, walked two and allowed just five hits.

2016 stats (Aberdeen)

ERA: 1.04

IP: 26

H: 15 (5.2/9)

HRA: 0 (0.0/9)

BB: 7 (2.4/9)

SO: 25 (10.0/9)

AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS: .161/.218/.194/.411

RHB Slash: .177/.235/.226/.461

LHB Slash: .129/.182/.129/.311

GO/AO: 1.00

Scouting report (now and future)

FB: 50/55

SL: 45/55

CH: 45/55

What we know: Akin is a three-pitch lefty with a plus left-handed fastball who can throw strikes. At 6-foot tall with a thick lower half, his body is mature, so what you have is what you have. Luckily for the Orioles what they have a pretty good left-handed pitching prospect. His fastball sits 89-93, though he can touch as high as 94-96 on occasion with good late arm side run. His slider is inconsistent but it's a good left on left pitch and should settle into an average offering once he finds some consistency. His change can flash average or even plus at times, but his command is inconsistent. During his college time he was able to keep his stuff late in games

What we don't know: He was about good as you can be in his pro debut, but can he maintain that crispness over 6-7 innings? His slider and changep can be solid average often at times, but they could be inconsistent from start to start. The consistency of those offerings will determine his chance of reaching his ceiling or floor.

What he needs to improve: Just consistency of his stuff. He can throw three solid average major league pitches and the sooner he commands all three consistently the faster he was move.

Summary: Akin actually outperformed 1st round pick Cody Sedlock and put up one of the most impressive pro debuts of any Orioles draft pick in recent memory. A legitimate three-pitch lefty, he could move very quickly through the system along with his teammate. He'll probably start next season at Delmarva but could be pushed to Advanced-A Frederick.

 

o

 

 

(A YEAR AND-A-HALF LATER)

 

Akin had a decent season at Advanced-A Frederick last year (2017.)

After being promoted to AA-Bowie this season (2018), his raw numbers (ERA and WHIP) have gone from decent to excellent. 

And while Walk rate is still high, but he has even had a modest improvement in that category (4.140 with Advanced-A Frederick last year, 3.526 with AA-Bowie this year.)

His Strikeout rate has remained consistently solid over the last 2 seasons at the 2 different levels (9.999 with Advanced-A Frederick last year, 9.588 with AA-Bowie this year.)

 

We could not have asked for much more from a starting pitcher stepping up from the Advanced-A level to the AA level in a single season.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=akin--000kee

 

o

[OFFNY]

On 11/21/2016 at 10:08 PM, Tony-OH said:

 

Keegan Akin - LHP

6' 0" 225

Bats: L Throws: L

Age: 21

2016 Team: IronBirds SS

Career stats

Most Likely Major League Role: 3rd/4th starter

Ceiling: #2 starter

Floor: Left-handed reliever

Background: The Orioles drafted Keegan in the 2nd round (54th overall) of the 2016 draft out of Western Michigan University after an outstanding Junior season (1.82 ERA, 109 IP, 72 H, HR, 30 BB, 133 K, .192 AVG). MLB.com said this about Akin coming out of college - "One of the hardest-throwing lefty starters in the college ranks, Akin usually pitches at 91-94 mph and peaks at 96 with late life on his fastball. Though he's not a big guy, he maintains his velocity deep into games and generates it without much effort in his delivery. There's some debate as to which is better, his low-80s slider or his tumbling changeup, but both should be at least average offerings. Akin has three pitches and fills the strike zone, so he'll definitely be a starter going forward. He fared well against quality competition in the Cape Cod League last summer, another point in his favor."

2016: Like several other college starters they drafted in 2016, the Orioles eased Akin into pro ball due to his college workload assigning him to short season Aberdeen and limiting him to three innings a start. No one had a better pro debut as he dominated New York Penn League batters. Allowed earned runs in two of his first three starts before not allowing a run in his last six three inning starts. Over his last 12 innings he struck out 17, walked two and allowed just five hits.

2016 stats (Aberdeen)

ERA: 1.04

IP: 26

H: 15 (5.2/9)

HRA: 0 (0.0/9)

BB: 7 (2.4/9)

SO: 25 (10.0/9)

AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS: .161/.218/.194/.411

RHB Slash: .177/.235/.226/.461

LHB Slash: .129/.182/.129/.311

GO/AO: 1.00

Scouting report (now and future)

FB: 50/55

SL: 45/55

CH: 45/55

What we know: Akin is a three-pitch lefty with a plus left-handed fastball who can throw strikes. At 6-foot tall with a thick lower half, his body is mature, so what you have is what you have. Luckily for the Orioles what they have a pretty good left-handed pitching prospect. His fastball sits 89-93, though he can touch as high as 94-96 on occasion with good late arm side run. His slider is inconsistent but it's a good left on left pitch and should settle into an average offering once he finds some consistency. His change can flash average or even plus at times, but his command is inconsistent. During his college time he was able to keep his stuff late in games

What we don't know: He was about good as you can be in his pro debut, but can he maintain that crispness over 6-7 innings? His slider and changep can be solid average often at times, but they could be inconsistent from start to start. The consistency of those offerings will determine his chance of reaching his ceiling or floor.

What he needs to improve: Just consistency of his stuff. He can throw three solid average major league pitches and the sooner he commands all three consistently the faster he was move.

Summary: Akin actually outperformed 1st round pick Cody Sedlock and put up one of the most impressive pro debuts of any Orioles draft pick in recent memory. A legitimate three-pitch lefty, he could move very quickly through the system along with his teammate. He'll probably start next season at Delmarva but could be pushed to Frederick.

 

o

 

(ALMOST 4 YEARS LATER)

 

Keegan Akin remained in the bullpen last night, still unsure how long he’s going to stay in the Majors. He gives the Orioles an extra long reliever, with Thomas Eshelman making Thursday afternoon’s start against the Phillies.

 

Rock Kubatko

 

https://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2020/08/more-on-rotation-urias-iglesias-winning-and-chemistry.html

 

o