Corbin’s finale doesn’t diminish outstanding spring

Of the Diamondbacks’ top pitching prospects, Patrick
Corbin entered spring training ranking behind both Trevor
Bauer and Tyler Skaggs.

Yet, as the team prepares to enter the regular season,
Corbin is the one with a chance to make the major league
roster.

The 22-year-old left-hander wrapped up his spring campaign
Monday with what was by far his worst outing, allowing
seven runs — six earned — in 5.1 innings of work against
the Cubs at Salt River Fields.

The Diamondbacks lost 8-3.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson, though, is not holding
Monday’s effort against the youngster.

“He came out and he had a little trouble early, wasn’t
getting his secondary stuff over,” the skipper said of
Corbin’s outing. “Then he got in a groove and did well. I
think in the last inning he got tired.

“He wouldn’t tell you he did, but his pitches were
definitely different.”

Corbin, who threw 83 pitches in the outing, had allowed
just one earned run in 15.2 innings of work prior to
Monday.

“He’s had a great spring, he’s thrown the ball good, he’s
got good stuff,” Gibson said. “He’s definitely somebody to
be considered to be competing for a spot on the team.”

There is no telling what kind of spot Corbin may be
competing for, because the starting rotation seems to be
set, and someone (perhaps Josh Collmenter) would have to
be bumped out in order to make room for the rookie.

While he wouldn’t say that’s the plan, Gibson noted there
is always room for him to make changes.

“There’s many different combinations that I’ve
considered,” he said. “Always consider changes.”

Arizona Sports’ Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this
report

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