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3 Pitching Prospects Baltimore Orioles Should Consider to Help Rotation

By Christopher Church

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 10: Starting pitcher Chris Tillman #30 of the Baltimore Orioles talks with catcher Chance Sisco #15 and pitching coach Roger McDowell #40 in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 10, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 10: Starting pitcher Chris Tillman #30 of the Baltimore Orioles talks with catcher Chance Sisco #15 and pitching coach Roger McDowell #40 in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 10, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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2. Keegan Akin, LHP

The Baltimore Orioles second-round pick in the 2016 MLB June Amateur draft Keegan Akin advanced his baseball career from receiving a promotion from Aberdeen to Frederick.

In his first season of pro baseball, Akin tossed 26 innings with a worthy 1.04 ERA. A season after, Akin produced a much higher ERA of 4.14 through 100 innings pitched with the Frederick Keys. In those 21 starts, Aiken generated 111 strikeouts and allowed just 12 home runs.

This season in 2018, Aiken has made six starts with a 3.31 ERA in Double-A Bowie. In 32.2 innings pitched, Aiken has a 3-3 record and is averaging 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Akin’s pitch arsenal includes a captivating fastball and slider and when he’s at peak performance, he’ll throw his change. He also has a slider pitch that tops out at 78-81 mph and is reserved mostly for a strikeout pitch, per BaseballCensus.com. Aiken is known for his arm strength that elevates his fastball into the mid-90s.

Now, as a member of Double-A Bowie’s starting rotation and performing at a high-level, Aiken could make the jump to Triple-A Norfolk any day now. If Aiken earns a promotion to Triple-A before the All-Star break, he may find himself in the Orioles starting rotation before season’s end.

Lastly, In a starting rotation with minimal left-handed pitchers, Akin gets the upper-hand in joining the Orioles starting rotation.

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