Prior to the 2009 MLB draft, Corbin was assessed by scouts from every Major League Baseball (MLB) team, including Tom Kotchman of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, a personal friend of Chipola’s head coach.
The Angels selected Corbin in the second round of the draft, with the 80th overall pick, on Kotchman’s advice.
He was the first player from a junior college to be drafted in the draft. Corbin and his roommate played basketball on the day of the draft.
Corbin chose the Angels over Southern Miss and received a $450,000 signing bonus. In 2009, Corbin pitched for the Rookie-level Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League, where he was managed by Kotchman.
In his first professional job, Corbin had a difficult time. He surrendered 23 hits and 12 earned runs in 17+13 innings in his first six appearances, five of which he started, for a 6.23 ERA.
While pitching for Orem, Corbin admitted that he tried to strike out too many batters.
Prior to the 2010 season, Baseball America ranked Corbin as the Angels’ 12th best prospect, anticipating him to pitch in the middle of the rotation. As he attempted to pitch to contact, Corbin changed his strategy.
He began the 2010 season with the Class A Midwest League’s Cedar Rapids Kernels. Corbin went 8–0 with a 3.86 ERA in nine starts for Cedar Rapids, surrendering 25 earned runs in 58+13 innings.
He fanned 70 hitters while surrendering 78 hits and 20 walks. Corbin was promoted to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A-Advanced California League by the Angels during the season.
Corbin went 5–3 with a 3.88 ERA in 11 starts with Rancho Cucamonga, surrendering 26 earned runs in 60+ innings.
In 118+23 innings thrown with Cedar Rapids and Rancho Cucamonga, Corbin had a 3.87 ERA, 106 strikeouts, and 28 walks.
How Much Does Patrick Corbin Make?
Patrick Corbin is paid an average of $23,333,333 each year. Corbin will be paid a basic salary of $23,000,000 in 2022.