Ohio State Likes The Way Corbin Plays The Game

LOVELAND - At 5-9 and 170 pounds, Parker Corbin understands there are limitations in his game. But that has not prevented the Cincinnati Country Day sophomore from a future at his favorite university.

“I’m not the fastest or the strongest, but I play the game with a lot of heart,” explained Corbin, a recent commit to Ohio State. “That’s what they want in their program.”

The 38th-rated 2024 shortstop in the nation has been on the radar of the Big 10 program for some time..

“I talked with (assistant) coach (Matt) Angle a couple of times last summer, then a couple times during the high school season,” Corbin related. “This summer I played five games where they saw me and we started talking a lot. I went to a camp there and met the coaches and saw the facilities. A month-and-a-half later they offered and two weeks later I committed.”

What the left-handed hitting 16-year-old does on the field got the attention of Ohio State.

“They love how I play the game, how I carry myself and how I’m a leader,” Corbin noted.

The last time witnessing the Country Day standout before the commitment was at the Future Games.

“I talked with coach (Greg) Beals after the Future Games,” Corbin said in reference to the Ohio State head coach. “That’s when they gave me an offer a week or so later.

“There’s a lot of connection I feel for the staff, especially coach Beals. That played a big role in my decision.”

Seven other offers from the likes of Wright State, Cincinnati and Xavier were out there for Corbin.

“Once I visited the campus I fell in love with it,” Corbin said of Ohio State. “After that I saw myself playing there. The facilities are super nice, all the athletic facilities are awesome. The location is nice, it’s close enough to home that my parents and grandparents can watch me play, but also far enough away.”

There is more that stood out about OSU to Corbin.

“I like how coach Beals coaches the team, that played a big role,” Corbin explained. “We talked about what he sees in his players and my relationship with him just grew.”

After that, the dream of playing at the next level became a reality.

“I’ve wanted to play college baseball ever since I started playing serious travel ball,” Corbin said. “Vanderbilt is everyone’s dream and that’s what I first thought about, but I have an Ohio State pennant in my room. My whole family is Ohio State fans and our basement is all Ohio State.”

That is not going to change anytime soon.

“I know I want to play professionally and I like the chance of developing in their program,” Corbin said.

The 180th-ranked 2024 in the country is confident he can be a major contributor at the Big 10 school in Columbus.

“I see myself bringing a good positive attitude, someone with high character,” Corbin pointed out. “Academically, I’ll be someone that succeeds in the classroom.”

His biggest influences are right at home.

“My mom and dad have been alongside of me all through my baseball career, taking me to showcases and tournaments and paying for my motels,” Corbin reflected. “My two older brothers have also always pushed me to be the best baseball player I can be.

“My summer coach Justin Roe has also helped, setting up a lot of calls, and Jordan (Chiero, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting) is another that helped a lot.”

Interest in law school is one possibility for Corbin, with business and finance other potential majors for the 4.5 student who is excited about the opportunity to play for Ohio State.

“It’s a very good feeling,” Corbin said about the commitment. “A lot of people are very excited for me and that I found the right fit. It makes me feel comfortable with my decision. My parents are so proud of me, but I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s a big sigh of relief.”

And with it comes a sense of comfort that the recruiting process has come to an end.

“At first it was pretty overwhelming,” Corbin admitted. “But after awhile I got a grasp of it and figured it out. It was heavy in the summer, got light in the winter and picked back up in the spring before getting heavy again in the summer.

“I just learned to embrace it. It’s a process that only a few get to be a part of and I’m lucky to have been a part of it. It’s a process I’m going to remember the rest of my life.”