WINTER HAVEN – The name and face are different, but a former All-State pitcher will continue to oversee Polk State Baseball's pitching staff.
Jordan Barrett, 27, has been tabbed as Polk State's new pitching coach by Head Coach Al Corbeil. A former standout for the Eagles as a pitcher, Barrett comes over from Florida Southern College, where he spent most of the 2022 season as an assistant.
"I owe everything to this program," Barrett said of Polk State. "This is where I was developed. I wouldn't be where I am without this program and it's great to be back."
Barrett replaces his former Polk State teammate Casey Kulina, the 2014 FCSAA Pitcher of the Year for the Eagles and an NJCAA All-American. Last week, Kulina was announced as the new pitching coach at the University of Delaware, an NCAA Division I program in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
"I'm extremely excited to add Jordan to our coaching staff," Corbeil said. "He was a player who really blossomed in our program. His tremendous work ethic ultimately turned him into a Division I pitcher and onto professional baseball. Our pitching staff will benefit tremendously from the knowledge and experience he can share with our young arms."
A native of Margate, Fla., Barrett pitched for Polk State in 2014 and 2015, helping the Eagles win a pair of Suncoast Conference championships. Polk State finished as FCSAA runner-up in 2014. Barrett said his time at Polk State helped mold him as a person as much as it did a player.
"Coach Corbeil works guys the right way," Barrett said. "He teaches the game the right way and has great relationships with his players. You learn about life here beyond just baseball. I want to build those kinds of relationships and help the guys develop. Whether baseball is their career path or not, I look forward to having a positive impact."
Possessing a fastball in the low-90s and a devastating breaking ball, Barrett compiled a record of 14-3 with a 2.78 ERA over his two seasons on the mound at Polk State. As a sophomore in 2015, Barrett earned first-team All-Suncoast Conference and second-team All-State honors, posting a 9-2 record and 1.43 ERA, which led Florida and ranked fourth nationally.
"I think the fact that I played here and what I accomplished here will help with the guys," he said. "I've been in their shoes. Hopefully, they'll buy in quickly and I'm excited to see what we can accomplish."
Barrett concluded his collegiate playing career at Elon University in 2016 and 2017. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft and reached Double-A as a member of the Toronto organization. Barrett finished with a 9-4 record and 3.10 earned run average in the minors before spending the 2019 and 2021 seasons in the Independent League.
"The difference in being a coach and being a player is the way you build relationships," Barrett said. "I had to learn how to be a coach. As a coach, you have to be more than a friend. Sometimes, you have to be a little stern, but I'm excited to be able to work with these guys and get to work with Coach Corbeil."
In his lone season coaching at Florida Southern, Barrett served as the pitching coach for the junior varsity team and the assistant pitching coach for the varsity team. He'll be inheriting a Polk State pitching staff that posted a 4.24 ERA last season – good for sixth in the state.
"Every pitcher is different, but everything we do will be tailored to their skill sets where we can maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses," Barrett said. "This is a great program. It's a great opportunity and I can't wait to get to work."
