Corbin Remains Positive While Back In The Recruiting Process

LOVELAND - Parker Corbin has been through a lot in his desire to find a college home.

Exposure has come from more than a dozen PBR events including three Future Games and one Junior Future Games. There was a commitment to Ohio State and a decommitment when a new coaching staff entered the picture. There was also an ACL injury that Corbin has since overcome.

Through it all, the good and the bad, the Cincinnati Country Day junior remains upbeat about a bright future in college baseball.

“For me, I still think I have a lot of time,” the 13th-rated 2024 in Ohio noted. “I’ve been working hard this offseason and doing speed training to get my speed up. I have more power and I’ve gotten faster. I’ve gone from 7.45 in the 60 to 6.8 the last time I did it. I’m also working behind the plate and on my swing.”

Yes, the second-rated junior shortstop in the state has been working on catching to add versatility to his game.

“I want to get recruited as a middle infielder but I’ve always been a good catcher from a young age,” Corbin related. “I like to keep it in my back pocket. It’s just something else that can help me succeed at a high level and help my team win.”

Admittedly, getting back in the recruiting process after decommitting from OSU was difficult in the beginning.

“It was tough, it came out of the blue,” Corbin explained. “But it’s been kind of a blessing in disguise. I know I can’t let it affect me. I’m using it as motivation and it will always be in the back of my mind. I don’t have any hate for the coaches, they just work a lot with that portal, but it’s definitely motivated me.”

The 5-9 170-pounder has a changed outlook when it comes to his current recruiting process.

“The first time I went through it I struggled to enjoy it,” Corbin admitted. “Kids say it’s stressful, which it is, but I’m also trying to get a degree if baseball doesn’t work out. I’m trying to enjoy it more and build more relationships while soaking it all in. This is a good position I’m in and I want to appreciate all the opportunities a little more.”

Current interest is coming from a wide range of colleges.

“I’m talking with a couple of Ivy League schools,” Corbin related. “I never thought about going to an Ivy before Ohio State. I’ve also had interest from a couple locals, UC and Xavier, along with Miami of Ohio, Marshall and Akron when coach (Greg) Beals was there. He was the biggest reason I chose Ohio State.”

That was during his initial recruitment.

“The summer going into my freshman year was the heaviest,” Corbin reflected. “The Future Games were moved to Pennsylvania with Covid and that summer was big for me. A lot of schools were reaching out, Tennessee being the first. I had an unofficial visit there which was a cool experience, but it was so early in my process. The following summer was big, it led up to Ohio State where I committed in August of my sophomore year.”

With his recruitment opened back up, Corbin is confident about his abilities to make an impact at the next level.

“Even coach Beals said I don’t have the highest numbers, they’re solid numbers, but what I do have is the highest baseball IQ,” Corbin pointed out. “I try to lead the team, set an example to those around me, and have fun. What’s the point of playing baseball if you’re not having fun?”

Jordan Chiero, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting, has high praise when it comes to the left-handed hitting middle infielder.

“I'm a huge fan of Parker Corbin,” Chiero said. “This is a guy that we feel strongly can hit at any level. We've seen more at-bats from him than just about anyone in the state. Not just any at-bats either, we've seen it against high-level arms as he's attended all of our premier events.

“Although he could be a plug-and-play guy at second base early in his college career, he's also been working out behind the dish which if that becomes a real thing he will raise his defensive stock. Considering the functional athleticism and ball skills, he would have a chance to be a near-plus defender back there. I think he's a guy who will make major waves on the recruiting scene in 2023 prior to ultimately committing to a quality D1 program.”

With a 4.39 GPA at Cincinnati Country Day, Corbin is considering a major in business, history, English or political science with Law School the eventual goal. But for now, the 17-year-old is focused on his game while also looking to find a future home.

“I’m hoping to get to play as much baseball and put myself out there as much as I can,” Corbin said about his plans in the coming months. “I want to have a successful spring and summer and find a home before the start of my senior year. There are a lot of good schools out there and I still have time to showcase my skills.

“I’d like to go to a good program, a winning program with good competition and good academics with coaches that care about GPA,” Corbin added. “I want to go to a place that likes player development, a place that sends a couple of players (to the pros) every year. How coaches treat their players is also very important, that’s what sold me on Ohio State with coach Beals.”