In 10 years at the helm, Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin has taken his program to unprecedented heights. Corbs has won 410 games, taken his teams to eight NCAA regionals, three Super Regionals and one College World Series appearance in 2011. The talent he’s amassed and developed is evident in the amount of VU ballplayers in the big leagues. We have 35 players in the minor leagues and six in the bigs. David Price, in my opinion and a lot of other people’s, is the premier pitcher in Major League Baseball. Pedro Alvarez is getting better and better at Pittsburgh and is going to be a star slugger, run producer and third baseman for the Bucs for many years. Ryan Flaherty keeps getting better and better for the O’s. According to Corbs, Buck Showalter, the manager of the Orioles, loves Ryan. Mike Baxter has a good chance to be the starting right fielder for the Mets. We have several guys in Triple A, many in double A and quite a few in single A ball. Corbs has built a baseball machine in Nashville. And he’s done it with the highest integrity. He always recruits high caliber kids who want excel not only on the field, but also in the classroom. That’s the essence of athletics at Vanderbilt University. James Franklin and Kevin Stallings are of the same makings. We are very fortunate to have these three exceptional men and coaches.
Corbs daughter, Molly, who has battled some medical issues, is doing well and recovering from a medical scare last year. Our thoughts and prayers are with Corbs, Maggie and Molly for Molly’s full recovery. Corbs has handled this difficult situation like the champ that he is. So have Maggie and Molly.
The 2013 season promises to be thrilling. Our whole outfield is coming back, and Jack Lupo, Connor Harrell and Yaz can play some ball. Both Connor and Yaz chose to come back for their senior seasons instead of matriculating to pro baseball. That says a lot about those guys’ character. Lupo is going to be excellent too and should garner professional interest after this season as will Connor and Yaz. Conrad Gregor was a preseason All-American at first base in one publication. Tony Kemp, the ultimate team player, will be stellar at second base, in the batters box and on the basepaths. Joel McKeithan will man SS and I like Joel. He has a good bat and good defensive skills. We’ll like Joel. Vince Conde comes back for his second year at the hot corner. Expect Vince to have a good year. Spencer Navin should be an All-American catcher at year’s end. He’s terrific defensively and has an excellent run-producing bat. The weekend rotation of T.J. Pecoraro, Kevin Ziomek and Tyler Beede has potential to be one of the best in college baseball. The bullpen may be our biggest strength and that’s saying a lot. Brian and Jared Miller will lead that group.
This year has the makings of a deep run. Corbs knows the hopes are high for a big season, but he’s very measured in his outlook for the season. He’s a great coach; he knows you just want to get better every day. That’s what he tells his team. The season’s a marathon and you want to be peaking on your last lap. That’s what Corbs’ goal is. And he likes what he’s got with this group.
“We’ve got a good attitude; the investment level is high. We have really good senior leadership in Connor, Yaz, Brian Harris and Lupo. They are like assistant coaches on the field. They don’t put themselves up front. We don’t put a lot into expectations. We have a chance to be a good team. We have great kids. We always do here. Kids who are invested in the program.”
Corbs likes his weekend rotation’s prospects.
“We’re solid. We’re capable of pitching well. The guys have good stuff. Pec (T.J.) is completely healthy (from his Tommy John surgery two years ago). Zo was in and out on his confidence last year, but he pitched in the Cape this summer and he’s in good shape mentally. Beede has worked hard too. We’ll be solid there.”
Corbs really likes his bullpen.
“These guys are just as good as our championship team (SEC championship, 2007). Jared Miller is throwing very well. Brian Miller (who has a chance to be our closer) is doing well. Walker Buehler, Steven Rice, Phillip Pfeifer, Adam Ravenelle, all those guys have a chance to be good. It’s a strength of our team.”
Tony Kemp, our table setter at the lead off position, was a terrific left fielder in 2011 and part of 2012. But due to injury issues, Corbs had to move Tony to second. Rather than being down about it, Tony embraced the opportunity and played excellent second base at the end of the season. Tony is a terrific leadoff/contact hitter and base stealer. He brings so much to the team, and his positive personality resonates throughout the locker room.
“He’s always happy,” Corbs said. “Just always has a smile on his face. He brings so much energy. He’s a great kid who plays loose and is a very good competitor. When I told him I wanted to move him to second last year, he said ‘whatever you need , don’t worry about it.’ He’s a total team guy.”
Connor is a guy I’ve always been high on. He can hit, he can hit with power, he can throw, he can run and he can field. He’s a five-tool player. He had his struggles at times last year after tearing it up at the end of the ’11 season.
“He took some time off in the summer and just got away from baseball which I thought was good,” Corbs said. “He puts a lot of pressure on himself. I think he’s going to have a good year though. He works so hard and has high expectations for himself. He is county strong. When he misses a ball it can go out. He’s a pretty good outfielder too. We’re going to be tough up the middle with Navin (at catcher) and Harrell (in center).”
Corbs feels very good about Conrad at first and likes Joel at short and Vince at third though there are some young guys who will give them some good competition. Young freshmen Dansby Turner and Xavier Turner could make their marks this year at short and third. The outfield is deep, too, with John Norwood and Rhett Wiseman providing good depth and with the potential to start if needed.
Corbs had the number one recruiting classes in the country according to Baseball America in 2012 and 2013. Didn’t ask him about 2014, but I know it’s going well from what I’ve read. He really can’t comment on this year’s recruiting class (the class of ’14 who will be frosh next year), per NCAA rules. The talent keeps pouring into West End.
Corbs said the relationships he’s established with his players are forever. He talked about DP.
“He doesn’t just want to be considered great, he wants to be in the Hall of Fame, “Corbs said of David. “He’s so competitive at everything he does and he’s like a sponge. He remembers everything. He loves Tampa and the team. Just a great, great guy.”
Corbs is keeping it under wraps, but I know he’s excited about his baseball team. Our team will be special but so will Arkansas (three in Baseball America preseason poll), Miss. State (5 in BA poll), South Carolina (7), LSU (9), Kentucky (11), Ole Miss (13) and Florida (17). It’s just an amazing conference. Like SEC football, it’s a colossal challenge in SEC baseball. North Carolina was picked number one by Baseball America, Arkansas third, Louisville fourth and State fifth.
Should be an awesome season. Corbs and company are ready to get it started. Couldn’t think of a better guy to run our program this year and for many years to come. It all gets started tomorrow afternoon at 4 against Long Beach State at “The Hawk.” LBS in for a weekend series. Can’t wait.