Inside The Orioles

Orioles Top Prospect Putting in Extra Work To Overcome Early Defensive Woes

Baltimore Orioles top prospect Coby Mayo has struggled in more ways than one in the Major Leagues.
Kenneth Teape|
Aug 11, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles third base Coby Mayo (16) tags out Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Brandon Lowe (8) at third base during the third inning at Tropicana Field.
Aug 11, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles third base Coby Mayo (16) tags out Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Brandon Lowe (8) at third base during the third inning at Tropicana Field. | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Baltimore Orioles

Life as a Major Leaguer has not been good for Baltimore Orioles top prospect Coby Mayo.

He struggled mightily in his first taste of the Big Leagues in 2024, producing a ghastly .098/.196/.098 slash line in 46 plate appearances with a -10 OPS+. Things haven’t been any better in 2025, going hitless in his first nine plate appearances, with one walk, producing a -64 OPS+.

The lack of success at the plate is certainly alarming, especially because he has produced at an impressive clip in the minor leagues. Everyone comes along at different paces with their development, and the organization has to just exhibit patience with the talented youngster.

Unfortunately, it seems the struggles with the bat are following Mayo out onto the field, where he is struggling just as much with the glove.

He has played exclusively at third base since his promotion, registering 19 innings and 10 chances. Two errors have already been committed, as he isn’t making a positive impact in any facet of the game currently.

How Concerning are Coby Mayo's Defensive Shortcomings?

It has been brutal for him, but he is doing everything he can to try and get back on track.

Prior to the Orioles playing against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon, Mayo was the first infielder to emerge from the dugout to get some work in on the field, as shared by Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun.

Buck Britton can be seen in the video standing in the background, giving some advice to his young pupil during the drills.

It is a similar routine to what Mayo did on Wednesday, following his two-error performance the previous night.

As shared by Jake Rill of MLB.com, he took a lot of ground balls this afternoon, looking to iron out some of the issues that have plagued him defensively. Along with Britton, who works with the Major League infielders, third-base coach Tony Mansolino was chatting and working with him as well.

It is certainly encouraging to see Mayo putting in the extra time and effort to figure things out. He is loaded with talent, but something just isn’t clicking yet at the Major League level.

Putting in this amount of work will only help him figure things out and start living up to the expectations of being a top prospect.

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Kenneth Teape
KENNETH TEAPE

Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism. During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News. Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network. He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker. In addition to his work here, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at teapester725@gmail.com.

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