Part 5/7:
The Cloud of Doubt: Why Isn't Akin in High-Leverage Situations?
Despite Akin’s striking statistics, a conspicuous issue arose: he rarely pitched in high-leverage situations. With an average leverage index sitting just above one, it became apparent that even as Akin accumulated impressive stats, he remained in lower-stress scenarios that did not reflect the vital moments that can create lasting impressions.
His usage rates suggest that he was often tasked with mop-up duties rather than appearances in critical situations. In fact, out of his nearly 79 innings pitched, only 4.2 innings came in high-leverage scenarios. His performance during those fleeting moments was lackluster, raising doubts about his ability to perform when the temperature rises.