Keegan Akin Loses Arbitration Hearing, Earns Lower MLB Salary

The article digs into Keegan Akin’s arbitration outcome with the Baltimore Orioles. It covers the financial terms for 2026, Akin’s shifting role, and how his performance and the club’s bullpen strategy might line up for next season.

There’s also a look at Akin’s pitch mix, his health history, and how new Orioles bullpen arms could change where he fits in the late innings.

Arbitration ruling: contract terms and context

Keegan Akin lost his arbitration hearing with the Orioles. He’ll get $2.975 million for 2026, which is $400,000 less than the $3.375 million he filed for.

Akin, who turns 31 in April, has thrown 368 innings for Baltimore since his 2020 debut. He’s now entering his final year of arbitration.

His journey shows a pitcher who’s adapted his role and approach, sticking around in Baltimore’s pitching plans through all the changes.

What the numbers say

The arbitration result spotlights both Akin’s reliability and his volatility in a bullpen market that’s always a bit chaotic. Here are some numbers worth noting:

• 2026 salary: $2.975 million, $400,000 below what he filed
• Age and tenure: 30, turning 31 in April; 368 innings since 2020
• Career arc: swingman (2020–21) → full-time reliever (2022) → closer stint (2025)
• 2023 health: 6.85 ERA in 23 1/3 innings, with a lower back injury that limited his time
• 2024 rebound: 3.32 ERA in 78 2/3 innings, plus a career-best 24.9% strikeout-to-walk rate
• 2025 closer role: eight saves in two months after Bautista’s injury and Domínguez trade, with mixed results

Akin’s evolving role: swingman to late-inning leverage

Akin started as a swingman, bouncing between the rotation and bullpen. Baltimore needed flexibility, and he gave them that.

He became a full-time reliever in 2022, leaning into ground balls and better control. That year, he posted a 49.3% groundball rate and a 6.1% walk rate, showing off improved command.

The back injury in 2023 derailed him for a while. But in 2024, he came back strong, with a solid ERA and a new focus on his changeup.

Pitch-mix adjustments and Run Value insights

A couple of mechanical tweaks helped Akin find a clearer bullpen identity in 2024. He made two big changes:

• Increased changeup usage: He threw it 19.9% of the time, holding opponents to a .103 average and getting a positive Run Value.
• Modified fastball: He added more movement both horizontally and vertically, but the results weren’t great. Opponents slugged .566 against it, and for the first time, it had a negative Run Value.

2025 closer stint and the bullpen outlook

In 2025, Akin took over as closer for the final two months after Felix Bautista’s shoulder injury and Seranthony Domínguez’s trade. He picked up eight saves but blew three chances, showing flashes of late-inning talent but also some struggles.

With Baltimore adding Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge this offseason, Akin probably shifts back to a seventh- or eighth-inning role in 2026. The bullpen’s deeper now, and that means more late-inning options and less pressure for Akin to handle the ninth.

Impact of new bullpen pieces and projection for 2026

• Ryan Helsley: He’s got closer experience and could anchor the late innings, letting Akin work in lower-leverage spots.
• Andrew Kittredge: A veteran who brings versatility and can handle the middle or late innings.
• Role projection: Expect Akin to compete for seventh- or eighth-inning work, bridging to the primary closer and staying flexible if things go sideways.

Takeaways for Orioles fans and fantasy observers

The arbitration setback really highlights how razor-thin the margins are in the majors. One pitch, one decision—sometimes that’s all it takes to change a career.

Akin’s shown a knack for adapting. He’s mixed up his pitches and found ways to fit into Baltimore’s evolving bullpen plans.

For Orioles fans, here’s a pitcher who’s weathered injuries and adjustments. He’s still around, able to step in for multi-inning relief or even close out a game if called on.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Keegan Akin Loses Arbitration Hearing