1. Early Life and Background
Patrick Corbin was born on July 19, 1989, and hails from Clay, New York. His early life was shaped by a supportive family environment and a strong interest in sports, particularly basketball.
1.1. Childhood and Upbringing
Corbin's father, Dan Sr., worked as a driver for a sausage company, while his mother, Patty, is a nurse at a physical therapy rehabilitation center for the elderly. His father built a basketball court in their backyard, and as a child, Corbin considered basketball his favorite sport. He actively participated in Pop Warner American football, played basketball in the Catholic Youth Organization, and competed in Little League baseball. Growing up, Corbin was a fan of the New York Yankees. Despite his later professional success, Corbin maintained a humble approach, reportedly buying a used car with his signing bonus and living in his parents' basement during the 2012-13 winter, even officiating youth basketball games in the offseason.
2. Amateur Career
Patrick Corbin's baseball journey began in high school, where he initially focused on other sports, before transitioning to college baseball, which ultimately prepared him for his professional career.
2.1. High School
Corbin attended Cicero-North Syracuse High School (C-NS) in Cicero, New York. During his freshman year, his father encouraged him to join the school's baseball team, but Corbin declined, preferring to play with friends. Instead, he played for the basketball and football teams. His friends on the basketball team eventually convinced him to try out for the baseball team in his junior year. Despite having little formal training, he demonstrated a natural talent, capable of throwing a fastball over 80 mph.
In his senior season in 2007, Corbin achieved an impressive 8 win-loss record, allowing only 33 hits and 16 runs while striking out 76 batters in 47 innings pitched. His performance helped C-NS become the top-ranked team in New York State, and he was recognized with selections to the All-League team and the first team All-Central New York. He graduated from C-NS with a high school career record of 14 win-loss record and 139 strikeouts. In basketball, Corbin set a school record for the most three-point field goals in a single game and was named to the All-Section Basketball team after his senior season.
2.2. College
Due to his academic performance at C-NS, Corbin was unable to enroll directly in a four-year college that would allow him to play college baseball. Consequently, he enrolled at Mohawk Valley Community College, a community college in Utica, New York, for his freshman year. At Mohawk, he played both baseball and basketball. During this time, scouts from two teams offered him a 75.00 K USD signing bonus as an undrafted free agent, but his coach advised him to wait for another season. After his freshman year, he joined a travel baseball team, where his fastball velocity reached over 90 mph, attracting further attention from scouts. In a tournament in Georgia, Corbin pitched a one-hit shutout against a team that included future MLB pitcher Zack Wheeler.
Corbin then transferred to Chipola College in Marianna, Florida, another junior college, for his sophomore year. This move allowed him to play baseball year-round in a warmer climate. At Chipola, he dedicated himself exclusively to baseball, discontinuing basketball. Through focused training, he gained between 33 lb (15 kg). Playing for the Chipola Indians in the Panhandle Conference of the Florida State College Activities Association (FSCAA), a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 8, Corbin recorded a 5 win-loss record with a 4.32 earned run average (ERA) and 86 strikeouts in 74 and 1/3 innings pitched. He was named to the Panhandle Conference's All-Conference first team and was ranked as the league's fourth best player. Chipola reached the FJCAA/NJCAA Gulf District Tournament, where they lost to Santa Fe College in the championship game. Corbin's performance in the tournament, a 1 win-loss record and a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings, earned him a spot on the All-Tournament team. Following the 2009 season, Corbin signed a letter of intent to transfer to the University of Southern Mississippi to play Division I college baseball with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, but he ultimately chose to turn professional.
3. Professional Career
Patrick Corbin's professional baseball career began with his draft selection by the Los Angeles Angels, leading him through the minor leagues and eventually to a significant tenure with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he became an All-Star, and later a World Series champion with the Washington Nationals.
3.1. Draft and Minor League Career
Prior to the 2009 MLB draft, scouts from every Major League Baseball (MLB) team evaluated Corbin, including Tom Kotchman of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who was a friend of Chipola's head coach. Based on Kotchman's recommendation, the Angels selected Corbin in the second round of the draft, as the 80th overall pick. He was the first junior college player to be selected in that draft. On the day of the draft, Corbin was reportedly playing basketball with his roommate.
Corbin signed with the Angels, receiving a 450.00 K USD signing bonus, which led him to forgo his commitment to Southern Miss. In 2009, he pitched for the Orem Owlz of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, where Kotchman served as his manager. Corbin initially struggled in his first professional experience, recording a 6.23 ERA in his first six appearances (five starts), allowing 23 hits and 12 earned runs in 17 and 1/3 innings. He later admitted that he attempted to strike out too many batters during his time with Orem.
Baseball America ranked Corbin as the Angels' 12th best prospect before the 2010 season, projecting him as a mid-rotation starting pitcher. In response, Corbin adjusted his approach, focusing on pitching to contact. He began the 2010 season with the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Class A Midwest League, where he posted an 8 win-loss record and a 3.86 ERA, allowing 25 earned runs in 58 and 1/3 innings over nine starts. He struck out 70 batters while allowing 78 hits and 20 walks. During the season, the Angels promoted Corbin to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A-Advanced California League. With Rancho Cucamonga, he had a 5 win-loss record and a 3.88 ERA, allowing 26 earned runs in 60 and 1/3 innings over 11 starts. Combined across both teams in 2010, Corbin finished with a 3.87 ERA, 106 strikeouts, and 28 walks in 118 and 2/3 innings pitched.
3.2. Arizona Diamondbacks
Corbin's tenure with the Arizona Diamondbacks saw him develop into an All-Star pitcher, navigate significant injuries, and ultimately return to strong form before entering free agency.
3.2.1. Trade to Arizona and Minor League Stints
At the trade deadline on July 25, 2010, Patrick Corbin was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks along with pitchers Joe Saunders, Rafael Rodríguez, and Tyler Skaggs in exchange for Dan Haren. The Diamondbacks assigned Corbin to the Visalia Rawhide of the California League, where he pitched to a 1.38 ERA in 26 innings.
In 2011, while pitching for the Double-A Mobile Bay Bears, Corbin set a franchise record with 27 and 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. He concluded the season with a 9 win-loss record and 142 strikeouts in 160 and 1/3 innings pitched. His strikeout total led the Southern League, and Mobile went on to win the league championship. The Diamondbacks invited Corbin to spring training in 2012, where he impressed with a 0.57 ERA. He began the 2012 season back with Mobile, posting a 2 win-loss record and a 1.67 ERA in four starts before his call-up to the majors.
3.2.2. MLB Debut and All-Star Season (2012-2013)
On April 30, 2012, the Diamondbacks promoted Corbin to the major leagues to make a start in place of Josh Collmenter, who was moved to the bullpen. In his MLB debut against the Miami Marlins, Corbin allowed three runs in 5 and 2/3 innings and earned his first big league win. He also contributed offensively with two sacrifice bunts and scored a run. After an initial stretch where he posted a 2 win-loss record and a 5.27 ERA in five starts, the Diamondbacks optioned Corbin to the Reno Aces of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League on May 22. However, he was recalled in June as a long reliever after Daniel Hudson suffered an elbow injury. Corbin was again optioned to Reno in July to continue working as a starting pitcher when Joe Saunders returned from the disabled list. He was recalled once more on August 1, taking Collmenter's spot in the rotation. For the 2012 season with the Diamondbacks, Corbin finished with a 6 win-loss record and an 4.54 ERA in 107 innings.
During the 2012-13 offseason, Corbin dedicated himself to training, gaining 10 lbs and adding 2 mph to his fastball velocity. He secured a spot in the Diamondbacks' Opening Day starting rotation in 2013. His strong performance earned him the National League (NL) Pitcher of the Month Award for May 2013, after he compiled a 5 win-loss record and a 1.53 ERA in five starts. Corbin was subsequently named an All-Star, boasting an 11 win-loss record with a 2.35 ERA, which was the third best in the NL at the All-Star break. He was the eighth youngest player to be named an All-Star that year. In the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, Corbin was charged with the loss after allowing the game's first run in the fourth inning. He concluded the 2013 season with a 14 win-loss record, 8 losses, and a 3.41 ERA, marking his first season with double-digit wins.
3.2.3. Injuries and Struggles (2014-2016)
The 2014 season began with high expectations for Corbin, as Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson named him the team's Opening Day starter. However, Corbin experienced arm tightness during a spring training start. An MRI revealed damage to his ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow, leading to him undergoing Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire 2014 season. The Diamondbacks initially placed him on the 15-day disabled list on March 30, then transferred him to the 60-day disabled list on April 4 to make room for Roger Kieschnick on the roster.
Corbin made his return to the Diamondbacks on July 4, 2015. He made 16 starts for the team, finishing with a 6 win-loss record, 5 losses, and a 3.60 ERA. For the 2016 season, Corbin, eligible for salary arbitration for the first time, agreed to a 2.52 M USD salary with the Diamondbacks.
In 2016, Corbin struggled significantly as a starter, posting a 4 win-loss record and a 5.58 ERA in 24 starts through mid-August, with a particularly high 7.68 ERA over his last nine starts. This led the Diamondbacks to demote him to a relief pitcher role. As a reliever, he showed improvement, recording a 2.70 ERA in 23 and 1/3 innings, including a streak of 13 consecutive scoreless innings to end the year.
3.2.4. Rotation Regular and Strong Performance (2017-2018)
For the 2017 season, Corbin and the Diamondbacks agreed to a 3.95 M USD salary. He successfully returned to the starting rotation and finished the season with a 4.03 ERA in 189 and 2/3 innings pitched. Notably, his ERA was a much improved 2.90 during the final three months of the season. Although the Diamondbacks advanced to the 2017 National League Division Series, Corbin did not make an appearance. Manager Torey Lovullo had planned for Corbin to start Game 4, but the team was eliminated after Game 3.
In 2018, Corbin agreed to a 7.50 M USD salary with the Diamondbacks. He was given the honor of starting for the Diamondbacks on Opening Day. On April 17, against the San Francisco Giants, he delivered an outstanding performance, throwing 7 and 2/3 no-hit innings in a complete game shutout. His strong first half earned him his second All-Star selection, having compiled a 6 win-loss record, 3 losses, a 3.05 ERA, and 140 strikeouts in 112 innings.
Corbin concluded the 2018 season with an 11 win-loss record, 7 losses, a career-best 3.15 ERA, and a career-high 246 strikeouts in 200 innings pitched across 33 starts. He also had the lowest zone percentage among all major league pitchers, with only 34.4% of his pitches being in the strike zone. Following this impressive season, he became a free agent.
3.3. Washington Nationals
Patrick Corbin's move to the Washington Nationals marked a significant turning point in his career, culminating in a World Series championship, though his subsequent performance saw periods of struggle.
3.3.1. World Series Champion (2019)
On December 7, 2018, the Washington Nationals announced that they had signed Patrick Corbin to a six-year deal worth 140.00 M USD. In his first season with the Nationals in 2019, he posted a 14 win-loss record, 7 losses, and a 3.25 ERA (8th in the NL) in 33 starts, striking out 238 batters in 202 innings. On September 1, he recorded his second consecutive 200-strikeout season. This achievement was particularly notable as he, along with teammates Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, formed the first trio of pitchers on the same National League team to each record 200 or more strikeouts in a season in 50 years.
Corbin played a pivotal role in the Nationals' historic 2019 World Series victory, the franchise's first championship. In Game 7 of the World Series, he was the winning pitcher, contributing significantly to the team's comeback. Throughout the 2019 playoffs, Corbin's 13.886 strikeouts per nine innings pitched ranked as the third highest by a pitcher in a single MLB postseason. Following his successful season, Corbin was honored with the 2019 Warren Spahn Award, recognizing him as the best left-handed pitcher in MLB.
3.3.2. Performance Trends and Challenges (2020-Present)
Following his World Series-winning season, Corbin's performance saw a decline. In the shortened 2020 season, he finished with a 2 win-loss record, 7 losses, and a 4.66 ERA. He led the National League in hits allowed (85) and had the highest WHIP (1.569) among all qualified NL pitchers.
The 2021 season proved to be the most challenging of Corbin's career up to that point. His ERA of 5.82 was the worst among qualified pitchers in MLB. He led the National League in home runs allowed (37) and led all of MLB in losses (16), earned runs allowed (111), and OPS against (.855). He also allowed the most home runs per 9 innings pitched among major leaguers, at 1.94.
His struggles continued into the 2022 season, where his 6.31 ERA was the worst among major league starting pitchers. With a 6 win-loss record and 19 losses, he led the NL in losses. He also led Major League Baseball in hits allowed (210 in 152.2 innings), batting average against (.321), and slugging percentage against (.513), while also giving up the highest percentage of hard-hit balls (39.9%).
In 2023, Corbin managed to reach 10 wins for the first time since 2019, but he again led the NL in losses, finishing with a 10 win-loss record and 15 losses. His ERA saw a slight improvement to 5.20, and his batting average against was .293. Despite these challenges, on August 22, 2024, Corbin recorded his 100th career win after pitching 6 innings and allowing just 1 run in a start against the Colorado Rockies.
4. Pitching Style and Scouting Report
Patrick Corbin is listed at 6 in (75 in (191 cm)) and 210 lbs (209 lb (95 kg)). His pitching repertoire includes a variety of pitches designed to keep hitters off balance.
His primary pitches are a four-seam fastball and a sinking fastball, both of which average around 92 mph and occasionally reach speeds of 95 mph. His secondary pitches include a changeup, which he throws between 81 mph and 82 mph, and a slider, which he throws between 78 mph and 79 mph. The slider was considered his best pitch coming out of college, with veteran hitter Todd Helton famously calling it "the best I've ever seen" after striking out against Corbin early in the 2013 season.
Corbin improved his changeup after pitching in the Instructional League during the 2009-10 offseason, which led him to consider it a more effective pitch than his slider for a time. In 2011, he developed a knuckle curve, which he credited with contributing to his consecutive scoreless innings streak in the minor leagues. While his usage of the knuckle curve declined throughout his career, he began throwing it again during the 2024 season to disrupt hitters' timing. Additionally, he added a cutter to his repertoire during the 2024 season in an attempt to counteract his struggles against right-handed batters.
5. Personal Life
Patrick Corbin is known for his humble demeanor, a characteristic highlighted by former Diamondbacks teammate Paul Goldschmidt. He is married to Jen, whom he met in high school. They tied the knot in November 2018. During the baseball offseason, the couple resides in Phoenix, Arizona. They have two sons: Weston Alan, born on May 14, 2021, and Miles Patrick, born on July 13, 2023.
6. Awards and Achievements
Patrick Corbin's career has been marked by several significant awards and milestones, reflecting his periods of dominance and consistency on the mound.
6.1. Major Awards
- All-Star selection: 2 (2013, 2018)
- Pitcher of the Month: 1 (May 2013)
- Warren Spahn Award: 1 (2019)
- Weekly MVP: 1 (April 22, 2018)
6.2. Career Milestones
- First double-digit win season: 2013 (14 wins)
- First complete game shutout: April 17, 2018
- Career-best ERA: 3.15 (2018)
- Career-high strikeouts: 246 (2018)
- Finished 5th in Cy Young Award voting: 2018
- Reached 200 strikeouts in consecutive years: 2018, 2019
- Part of the first National League trio in 50 years with three 200-strikeout pitchers (with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg): 2019
- Winning pitcher of 2019 World Series Game 7
- 100th career win: August 22, 2024
7. Career Statistics
| Year | Team | Pitching | Fielding | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | W | L | HLD | BS | ERA | WHIP | SO | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPct | ||
| 2012 | ARI | 22 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4.54 | 1.33 | 86 | 22 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
| 2013 | ARI | 32 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3.41 | 1.17 | 178 | 32 | 10 | 40 | 2 | 2 | .962 |
| 2015 | ARI | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3.60 | 1.27 | 78 | 16 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 2 | .952 |
| 2016 | ARI | 36 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 5.15 | 1.56 | 131 | 36 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 0 | .952 |
| 2017 | ARI | 33 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 4.03 | 1.42 | 178 | 33 | 12 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 2018 | ARI | 33 | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3.15 | 1.05 | 246 | 33 | 10 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
| 2019 | WSH | 33 | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3.25 | 1.18 | 238 | 33 | 12 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2020 | WSH | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4.66 | 1.57 | 60 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | .900 |
| 2021 | WSH | 31 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 5.82 | 1.47 | 143 | 31 | 9 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 2022 | WSH | 31 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 6.31 | 1.70 | 128 | 31 | 9 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2023 | WSH | 32 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 5.20 | 1.48 | 124 | 32 | 11 | 36 | 2 | 3 | .959 |
| 2024 | WSH | 32 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 5.62 | 1.50 | 139 | 32 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| MLB Career | 342 | 324 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 103 | 131 | 2 | 2 | 4.51 | 1.37 | 1729 | 342 | 85 | 295 | 7 | 15 | .982 | |
8. Notable Connections
Patrick Corbin's career has been influenced by significant personal relationships and public statements, providing insight into his character and affiliations.
8.1. Tyler Skaggs
Corbin shared a close friendship with fellow pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who tragically died on July 1, 2019. They had played together in rookie ball and Class AA baseball. Skaggs was also a groomsman at Corbin's wedding. To honor his late friend, Corbin chose to wear Skaggs' jersey number 45 during his start against the Miami Marlins on July 2, 2019, the day after Skaggs' passing.
8.2. Political Endorsement
Patrick Corbin publicly endorsed Donald Trump during the 2020 United States presidential election. He expressed his support by posting a picture of himself with Trump on a golf course on social media, captioned with "#Vote #Trump2020."