Patrick Corbin is a professional baseball pitcher who has recently experienced a significant decline in his performance on the mound.
Corbin was once a dominant force on the field, but in 2022, his strikeout percentage (K%) has decreased from 68% to 40% and his usage of a certain pitch (the slider) has decreased from 37.3% to 32%.
This decline has led to concerns among fans and analysts about what has happened to Corbin and what the future may hold for him in baseball.
We will examine Corbin’s background, his peak in 2019, and the factors that may have contributed to his recent decline in performance. We will also explore possible solutions for Corbin and his team moving forward.
Corbin’s background and early career
Patrick Corbin was born on July 19, 1989, in Clay, New York. He attended Cicero-North Syracuse High School, where he played baseball and basketball.
In 2009, Corbin was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He was later traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 and made his major league debut for the team in 2012.
Corbin’s pitching style early in his career was based on a four-pitch repertoire consisting of a fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball.
He had excellent control and command of all four pitches, which allowed him to keep hitters off balance and generate a lot of ground balls.
Corbin’s fastball, which averaged around 92 mph, was his primary pitch, but his slider was also a reliable out pitch that he threw often.
Corbin’s success in the early years of his career was impressive. He finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2013 after posting a 14-8 record with a 3.41 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 208 1/3 innings.
Corbin was also named to the All-Star team in 2013 and won a Gold Glove Award for his defensive prowess on the mound.
In 2018, Corbin posted a 3.15 ERA with 246 strikeouts in 200 innings, which earned him a six-year, $140 million contract with the Washington Nationals.
Corbin was seen as a valuable asset for the Nationals and a reliable pitcher who could help lead the team to success.
Corbin’s peak in 2019
In 2019, Corbin had a standout season, finishing with a 14-7 record, a 3.25 ERA, and 238 strikeouts in 202 innings pitched. He was a crucial part of the Nationals’ pitching staff that helped the team win the World Series that year.
Corbin’s pitching style and repertoire during the 2019 season were similar to earlier in his career, but with some slight changes. He continued to rely heavily on his fastball and slider but also incorporated his changeup and curveball more frequently.
He also increased the use of his two-seam fastball, which helped him generate more ground balls. Corbin’s velocity remained steady, with his fastball averaging around 92 mph and his slider around 81 mph.
What made Corbin so effective in 2019 was his ability to generate swings and misses. He had a strikeout rate of 28.5% and an opponent swing and miss rate of 13.5%, both career highs.
Corbin’s slider was particularly effective, as he threw it 37.3% of the time and generated a whiff rate of 23.9%. Corbin’s ability to mix his pitches effectively, his solid command, and his ability to generate swings and misses all contributed to his success in 2019.
The decline of Corbin’s performance in 2022
Unfortunately, Corbin’s performance has taken a significant dip in 2022. His strikeout percentage has dropped from 68% in 2019 to 40% in 2022, and his ERA has skyrocketed to 10.47. He has also given up more home runs and walks than in previous years.
One major change in Corbin’s pitching style and repertoire in 2022 is his decreased usage of his slider, which has dropped from 37.3% in 2019 to 32% in 2022. Corbin has also relied more on his fastball, which has been hit hard by opposing batters.
He has also increased his use of his changeup and curveball, but they have not been as effective in generating swings and misses.
There are several possible reasons for Corbin’s decline in performance. One possible factor is his decreased velocity, which could be attributed to his age and the wear and tear of his career.
Another possible factor is a lack of confidence in his slider, which may have led to him relying more on his fastball.
Additionally, changes in the league-wide hitting approach, particularly the increased use of launch angle and a focus on hitting the ball in the air, may have made Corbin’s pitch selection less effective. Finally, injuries and other personal issues off the field could also be affecting Corbin’s performance.
Possible reasons for Corbin’s performance decline
Corbin’s decline in performance in 2022 is likely due to a combination of factors. These could include changes in pitch selection, decreased velocity, mechanical issues, changes in the league-wide hitting approach, and personal issues off the field.
Changes in pitch selection
Corbin’s decreased usage of his slider and increased reliance on his fastball could be due to a lack of confidence in his slider or changes in his approach. One possible solution could be for Corbin to regain confidence in his slider by working with his pitching coach to make adjustments to the pitch.
Decreased velocity
As a pitcher ages, it is common for their velocity to decline. However, this can also be due to mechanical issues or injuries. One possible solution could be for Corbin to work on his mechanics with his pitching coach to improve his velocity.
Mechanical issues
Mechanical issues can also contribute to a decrease in velocity and overall performance. Corbin may need to work on his mechanics to improve his command and reduce the number of walks and home runs he has been giving up.
Changes in the league-wide hitting approach
The increased use of launch angle and focus on hitting the ball in the air may have made Corbin’s pitch selection less effective. One solution could be for Corbin to adjust his pitch selection to better counteract the league-wide hitting approach.
Personal issues off the field
Personal issues such as injuries, mental health issues, or distractions can also contribute to a decrease in performance. It may be beneficial for Corbin to seek help or support from his team or a mental health professional to address any off-field issues that may be affecting his performance.
The solutions to each factor will depend on the specific issues contributing to Corbin’s decline in performance.
Working with his pitching coach, making adjustments to his pitch selection, and addressing any personal issues off the field are all potential solutions that could help Corbin regain his form.
Patrick Corbin’s Pitch Selection and Performance by Year
| Year | Slider Usage % | Fastball Usage % | Strikeout % | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 26.7% | 47.4% | 21.8% | 3.15 |
| 2019 | 37.3% | 32.5% | 28.5% | 3.25 |
| 2020 | 34.8% | 32.3% | 24.4% | 4.66 |
| 2021 | 31.8% | 40.6% | 24.8% | 6.29 |
| 2022 | 32.0% | 44.1% | 40.0% | 8.11 |
This table shows Corbin’s pitch selection and performance statistics over the past five seasons. Notably, Corbin’s slider usage peaked in 2019 before dropping slightly in subsequent years, while his fastball usage has increased.
His strikeout rate also reached a career-high in 2019 before dropping off in the following seasons. Finally, his ERA has steadily increased since 2020, culminating in a particularly poor performance in 2022.
This table could be used to visually compare Corbin’s performance over time and identify trends or changes in his pitching style that may be contributing to his decline.
FAQs
Has Patrick Corbin experienced any significant injuries in his career?
Corbin has dealt with some injuries over the course of his career, including a Tommy John surgery in 2014. However, he has been relatively healthy in recent years.
How has Patrick Corbin’s contract impacted the expectations for his performance?
Corbin signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Washington Nationals in 2019, which raised expectations for his performance. With a high salary comes higher expectations for on-field success, and Corbin’s decline in performance since signing the contract has been a disappointment for the Nationals and their fans.
What are some of the differences in pitching in the National League vs. the American League?
One significant difference is the presence of the designated hitter in the American League, which eliminates the need for pitchers to bat. Additionally, the pitching staff and ballparks can vary between the two leagues, which can impact a pitcher’s performance.
How do advanced metrics like xFIP and SIERA factor into evaluating a pitcher’s performance?
Advanced metrics like xFIP (expected Fielding Independent Pitching) and SIERA (Skill-Interactive ERA) aim to provide a more accurate evaluation of a pitcher’s performance by taking into account factors that the pitcher has more control over (such as strikeouts, walks, and home runs) and normalizing for factors like ballparks and defense. These metrics can be useful in identifying whether a pitcher’s performance is likely to improve or decline in the future.
Conclusion
Patrick Corbin’s decline in performance in 2022 is concerning, especially considering his standout season in 2019.
Several factors may be contributing to this decline, including changes in pitch selection, decreased velocity, mechanical issues, changes in the league-wide hitting approach, and personal issues off the field.
To improve his performance, Corbin may need to work with his pitching coach to regain confidence in his slider, work on his mechanics to improve his velocity and command, adjust his pitch selection to better counteract the league-wide hitting approach, and seek help or support for any personal issues off the field.
Overall, it remains to be seen whether Corbin will be able to regain his form and return to his peak performance in 2019. However, with the right adjustments and support, there is certainly potential for him to bounce back in the future.
