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In the new season, Akin emerged as a powerhouse, featuring prominently in 66 games and delivering 78.2 innings with a solid 3.32 ERA. His success stemmed not only from improved performance but also from astonishingly low walk rates and high strikeout percentages. Akin achieved a remarkable 31% strikeout rate paired with a mere 6.1% walk rate, demonstrating his ability to control games when it mattered most.
What Went Right for Akin
Several aspects contributed to Akin’s breakout season. Akin's reliance on a well-rounded pitch arsenal—featuring a four-seam fastball, slider, and changeup—allowed him to excel. He maintained a whiff rate of 22.9% on balls thrown in the strike zone, facilitating remarkable swings and misses despite a low chase rate outside of the strike zone.