WATCH AND LISTEN VIDEOS

Venom Vision: Who is Patrick Corbin?

Sep 3, 2013, 8:38 PM | Updated: 9:09 pm

Remember Ian Kennedy? That guy who won 21 games in 2011 and finished fourth in the Cy Young voting? That guy who started three straight Opening Days, only to be shipped out for a left-handed specialist? Who am I kidding, of course you do, because everybody tried to anoint the former USC standout as the team’s ace. But as we all found out over time, that’s just not him.

That leads me to All-Star Patrick Corbin. Corbin began the season 12-1 but is just 1-4 in his last seven starts, with 25 earned runs allowed. So who is the left-hander, is he the dominant pitcher who was being mentioned with Clayton Kershaw and Matt Harvey earlier this season? Or is he the undependable guy who can’t seem to buy a win of late?

The truth is he’s neither. He’s not an ace, and he’s not a back-end of the rotation guy. When the chips eventually fall, odds are he’s more likely a No. 2 pitcher. And frankly there’s nothing wrong with that. No. 2 guys can compete for a Cy Young Award or two, they can go to All-Star games, heck they can help lead a staff to a World Series. Just ask Andy Pettitte.

Recent history aside — and frankly I attribute a lot of that to a 23-year-old being mentally and physically fatigued from having to be the man for so long this season — but that aside, Corbin will be a very good pitcher in this league for a long time. He has a mastery of the first-pitch strike, a sinker that continues to improve and a slider that might be among the best out-pitches any pitcher in the National League has.

But just remember, those qualities don’t necessarily make him an ace.

Watch and Listen Videos

...

Kevin Zimmerman

Pitchfork Preview: Arizona State takes on No. 6 Washington in Seattle

The Arizona State Sun Devils hit the road this weekend to face the No. 6 Washington Huskies, who are coming off their first loss of the year.

7 years ago

Presented By...

Paige Dimakos

Four Downs with Frostee Rucker

This week we catch up with Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Frostee Rucker and ask him four questions from the fans.

7 years ago

Follow @AZSportsPresented By...

Arizona Sports

Paulie Pigskin Report: Are the Cardinals’ playoff chances dwindling?

The question everyone wants to be answered as the Arizona Cardinals have their bye week is if it's time to say goodbye to the team's playoff chances.

8 years ago

Follow @AZSportsPresented By...

Arizona Sports

Paulie Pigskin Report: Cardinals vs. Seahawks

The biggest rivalry in the NFC West is back for this season.

8 years ago

...

Adam Green

Pitchfork Preview: Sun Devils host Cougars on homecoming

It’s homecoming weekend for the Sun Devils as they welcome the Washington State Cougars to town for a Saturday Night matchup at Sun Devil Stadium.

8 years ago

Follow @AZSportsPresented By...

Arizona Sports

Four Downs with Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson

This week features Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson. Paige talked to David after the Big Red Rage on Thursday night at the Majerle's in Chandler.

8 years ago

Venom Vision: Who is Patrick Corbin?