Image credit: Cory Hahn (Photo by Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Cory Hahn still catches himself wondering about what could’ve been. He can’t help it. And who can blame him?   

Had he not suffered a C-5 spinal cord injury sliding headfirst into second base in just his third game as a freshman at Arizona State in 2011, paralyzing him from the chest down, cutting his promising playing career far too short and changing his life forever, things would likely look a lot different.

There’s little doubt among those who witnessed Hahn play that he had major league potential.

The signs were there when Hahn starred alongside Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and other major leaguers with USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in 2009, same as they were throughout his time at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, Calif.

“There are times I still think I should be on the field,” Hahn said. “That has been the biggest hurdle for me to understand, but also it’s OK to still feel that way. That’s probably the biggest difference and the hardest challenge at times.

“I think what brings me back to level ground is just knowing that I may not be able to play the game, but I’m doing the next best thing. I can make an impact.”

Indeed. Hahn’s bright potential as a player ended prematurely, but through the adversity he faced in the aftermath of his life-changing injury, he has found fulfillment in baseball and life. It is why Baseball America recognizes him as its 2024 Trailblazer of the Year.

For the past 10 years, Hahn has played a fundamental role in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ baseball operations department, where he now serves as the organization’s assistant director of player personnel. In that span, he has seen three different front office regimes come and go, led by Kevin Towers, Dave Stewart and now general manager Mike Hazen.

Hahn has conquered both mental and physical obstacles that have come with performing his job while confined to a wheelchair, staying resilient through all the challenges he has faced and inspiring others in the process. He has shown that even in his current role, in which he helps oversee the D-backs’ pro scouting operations, nothing can keep him from accomplishing his goals at a high level.

He credits the D-backs for providing him with the guidance and support necessary to thrive in a front office setting, one he approaches with the same mentality that he had when he was a player.

“There’s not just one, cookie-cutter way to get the job done,” Hahn said. “If you believe in people and give them the opportunity and the resources to chase their dreams down and dominate the lane they’re in, they’re going to figure out a way to do it.”

But Hahn’s impact on his surrounding community far outweighs his contributions to the D-backs organization. It’s where Hahn has found his true calling.

Alongside his former ASU teammate and current major league righthander, Trevor Williams, Hahn co-founded Project 34, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for people with spinal cord injuries. Since its inception more than six years ago, Hahn said the organization has raised at least $600,000 in grants, which have gone toward paying for treatment, equipment and other resources for those in need.

“Easily, my favorite part about my journey is what we get to do in this community,” Hahn said. “Being able to impact the spinal cord injury community on so many fronts and raise awareness to it, and just to show that this injury is catastrophic and it’s definitely life-altering, but it’s not the end.

“I love that we’re at a spot now where we’re making a difference on hundreds of individuals every year.”

The culmination of Hahn’s personal and professional journey in the wake of his injury has taken time to see through. Hahn tries to use himself as an example for others who look to him for advice or inspiration.

He tells them all the same thing he told himself: Accept failure, but never give up.

“This is more than me,” Hahn said. “This is about life in general, this is about fighting for what you want, pushing yourself to your limits and achieving your goals and it’s also about impacting communities that need it.

“I hope that I am only one of many amazing people out there that can help shape the community and show that we’re all capable of doing amazing things.”