Akin "starting all over" in spring training

SARASOTA, Fla. – To push for a clean slate in spring training is to erase the best of Keegan Akin in 2022.

The Orioles’ left-hander posted a 2.63 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and .196 average against in 33 games through Aug. 14. He worked at least two innings in his first 19 outings to set a reliever record. The switch to a bullpen role seemed to unlock the talents that enticed the Orioles to select him in the second round of the 2016 draft.

The last 12 appearances didn’t match up. They didn’t come close.

Akin registered a 5.40 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and .333 average against, including one emergency start, and was optioned Sept. 26.

The Orioles recalled him two days later while placing infielder Ramón Urías on the injured list with a sprained right knee.

For this reason, Akin is unsure of his status for opening day and can’t fully appreciate what he did the previous summer.

“I’m showing up thinking I’ve got to compete, starting all over,” he said.

“Last year was last year. It was good for five months out of the year, I guess. That one month there toward the end, I got a little squirrely in the second half. Just go off that, I think. It’s a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth after that, but hey, you’re not going to be perfect for six months.”

Akin churned out five scoreless innings in three appearances after the Orioles returned him to the active roster. He allowed five hits but walked none and struck out six.

Manager Brandon Hyde will carry at least two left-handers in an eight-man ‘pen, and Cionel Pérez is a lock. The camp roster includes DL Hall, Darwinzon Hernández, Bruce Zimmermann and Nick Vespi.

Drew Rom is more likely to land in Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation again. Cade Povich hasn’t pitched above Double-A, where he made six appearances with Bowie last year.

Hall might be stripped of his reliever duties. Vespi is recovered from hernia surgery and vowing to be ready on March 30.

Hernández, a non-roster pitcher, retired only one Rays batter yesterday in the fourth inning. He walked three, gave up a single and was the victim of Wander Franco’s two-run single.

Hernández was charged with four runs to leave his ERA at 108.00.

Akin is waiting for his chance.

“With all the competition and being a new year, I’m looking at it as, I’m not on the team,” he said. “I’ve got to fight my way on there and pitch well this spring and compete for a spot.”

“Akin had a great first half last year,” Hyde said yesterday. “That was overlooked a little bit, what he did for us the first half. We know what he can do, as well."

* BetOnline has made Gunnar Henderson a 9/4 favorite to be chosen American League Rookie of the Year.

Grayson Rodriguez is tied for fourth at 10/1 and Hall is 20/1.