Should Orioles make Akin a starter? | MAILBAG

Question: Seeing the success of a couple of other relievers-turned-starters this year and the dearth of starters available to the Orioles, have they considered stretching Keegan Akin out? He seems to have matured as a pitcher and seeing the state of the rotation, couldn’t do any worse. Seems to be worth a look. From: Mike Webb

Answer: Mike sent this in on Saturday morning before Akin was named to open the second game of the doubleheader.

Akin has an ERA of 6.21 as a starter in his career and a 3.85 ERA as a reliever. This season, his ERA is 3.27 in the bullpen. I’m sure they’d consider anything at this point, but especially during the season it’s harder to stretch someone out than it would if you were doing it ahead of spring training.

Question: I believe the O’s need to find their Mojo. The Mojo, Brandon Hyde had it in large part brought in and personified in Adley Rutschman The playoff losses and Adley’s slump have damaged the Mojo badly.

Leadership is in question, Hyde owns it or he will lose the team.

Some of this is fixable: injuries, player production, and coaching but team confidence is a strange commodity. I believe, it is in Hyder’s hands 🙌

Can he find the team Mojo? From: Bill Connor

Answer: Bill, I think the team is missing a veteran who has been through difficult times and can help mentor the young core. It would have been helpful, I think, to re-sign James McCann or bring in another accomplished veteran as a role player. Perhaps Kyle Gibson will help.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.