KALAMAZOO, Mich. –  On Thursday, former Western Michigan baseball left-handed pitcher Keegan Akin was named to the 2019 International League Triple-A All-Star roster, announced by the International League.

Akin in his first Triple-A season with the Norfolk Tides of the Baltimore Orioles organization, ranks second in the International League in strikeouts (83) and games started (14). Akin ranks sixth in the league with a 4.37 ERA and has an overall record of 3-2 in 70.0 innings pitched.

Last season in Double-A with the Bowie Baysox, Akin was the 2018 AA Eastern League Pitcher of the Year and was both a mid-season and post-season all-star selection. Akin is currently ranked as the sixth best prospect in the Orioles organization.

The 32^nd annual Triple-A All-Star game will take place on Wednesday, July 10 in El Paso, Texas at 9:05 p.m. inside El Paso's Southwest University Park. The game pits the Pacific Coast League against the International League with notable alumni including Derek Jeter, Ian Kinsler, Joc Pedersen and Chase Utley.

Akin in 2016 was the Broncos third highest draft pick in school history and highest since 1970, going in the second round (54^th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles.

The left-handed pitcher had an illustrious career at WMU, setting the single season strikeout record with 133 in 2016 en route to guiding the Broncos to their first Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship. In 2016, Akin was named a Third Team All-American by Baseball America and earned ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Midwest Region team honors.

In 2016, Akin finished with an overall record of 7-4 with a 1.82 ERA in 109.0 innings of work. Akin earned First Team All-MAC honors and was named the MAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player.