Imagine wrapping up a season on fire when the playoffs are already out of reach – that's the thrilling late surge from Coby Mayo that's got Baltimore Orioles fans buzzing with excitement about what comes next.
Scoring big in what feels like meaningless end-of-season games isn't the same as shining in a tight race for the postseason, but hey, any solid performance beats the opposite, right? For the young first baseman, that final stretch of the year turned into an encouraging momentum builder heading into the winter break.
At just 23 years old, Coby Mayo was suddenly slotted into a daily starting spot after the trade deadline (https://www.thebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/orioles-mlb-trade-deadline-tracker-KDAADT2C3NGCPCIM5UUNSXB5BY/), as the team wanted to really test out his potential. He had some rocky moments early on, but come September, he bounced back impressively, posting a .301 batting average and a stellar .941 on-base-plus-slugging (OPS) percentage – that's a key stat combining how often he gets on base and how much power he shows – over 24 games. For beginners, think of OPS as a quick way to measure a hitter's overall effectiveness; higher is always better.
By then, the Orioles' playoff hopes were pretty much dashed, but for a rising star like Mayo trying to make his mark in the majors, those consistent at-bats and the confidence boost from his hot streak could set him up nicely for the long haul. And this is the part most people miss: even in a lost season, these opportunities help young players grow without the intense pressure of must-win games.
Now, whether Mayo sticks around in Baltimore or gets packaged in a trade is still up in the air. With the Orioles eyeing ways to beef up their starting pitchers, this promising infielder – known for his raw power at the plate – might end up as a key piece in a deal to land that ace they've been craving. But here's where it gets controversial: is trading away homegrown talent like Mayo the smart move for a team rebuilding, or does it risk stunting their own development pipeline? We'll circle back to that.
For now, though, Mayo is very much part of Baltimore's future plans. During his wrap-up meeting with the team, interim manager Tony Mansolino and president of baseball operations Mike Elias made it clear what they expect from him moving forward.
That September hot streak was a great beginning, but the real challenge is sustaining that level over a full 162-game grind. As Mayo put it himself, "They want to see me step up as a mature major leaguer next year, really owning that everyday role instead of just dipping my toes in. It means grinding hard in the offseason, pushing through discomfort, and never taking a day off easy."
Mayo doesn't really know what an 'easy day' feels like, even in season. While many players put in solid pregame routines, Mayo went above and beyond as he adapted to first base full-time after starting out at third. He'd show up hours early, rain or shine, to hone his skills.
Take day games, for example – most guys shorten their prep to save energy for the batting cage, but not Mayo. He'd team up with Mansolino and coaches John Mabry and Buck Britton, practicing tough scenarios like fielding bad hops or quick flips to pitchers covering first. By season's end, all that dedication paid off in noticeable improvements on defense.
Mayo admits he's no Gold Glove wizard – that's the award for elite fielding – but transforming into an average defender at first base in just one year is a huge win for a newbie. It's like going from beginner mode to solid starter; not flashy, but essential for sticking around.
"I've gained so much confidence from it," Mayo shared. "It sets me up well for the winter, knowing I can handle it. Just a month earlier in August, I was really struggling with the daily grind, but the team believed in me and kept me out there."
That faith was deliberate on the Orioles' part, especially after they essentially conceded the season by late July, shipping out Ryan O'Hearn to the San Diego Padres in a trade (https://www.thebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/orioles-trade-ryan-ohearn-ramon-laureano-san-diego-padres-3AVOKJPJJFGFXJXQMAUQDYMNEM/). Even when Ryan Mountcastle came back from injury, they kept Mayo locked in at first, letting him learn through real-game reps – mistakes and all.
"Manso told me I'd play every day, good outing or bad," Mayo recalled. "That's exactly what a young guy needs: the reps to mess up, hit rock bottom, and figure out how to climb back. It's how you build resilience."
Of course, there were tough stretches. In August, as his everyday role kicked in, he managed just a .136 average across 25 games – ouch. But the Orioles rode it out with him, navigating those inevitable ups and downs that mark the early career of so many MLB prospects. It's a reminder that development isn't linear; it's full of valleys that test your mettle.
Mansolino was prepared for that rollercoaster. Back in early August in Philadelphia, right after Mayo crushed a home run, the manager kept things grounded: "This is a strong day for him. Expect some highs and some lows ahead. The key is his willingness to keep building with the coaches, tweaking his swing, staying open to feedback, and focusing on growth over comfort. Do that, and he'll reach his potential sooner rather than later."
What that potential looks like hinges on a bunch of variables, including how the Orioles shape their roster this offseason. One big call coming in November: whether to offer a contract to Mountcastle, who's slated for about $7.8 million in his last arbitration year, according to MLB Trade Rumors (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2026.html). Letting him go could solidify Mayo's spot at first base – unless, that is, Mayo himself gets traded, or the team splashes cash on a free-agent first baseman to shake things up.
Don't forget about catcher Samuel Basallo, who's likely to spell Mayo at first against certain pitchers, especially right-handers. As a right-handed batter, Mayo struggled more versus righties (.199 average) than lefties (.253) this year. But as Mansolino noted late in September, "We're confident Coby can manage lefties, and he's showing it. The bigger challenge is righties, but he'll get plenty of chances to prove himself there too."
Sure enough, Mayo's September turnaround included better numbers against right-handers at .278, with four of his five homers coming in those tougher matchups. It's a classic example of how facing your weaknesses head-on can lead to breakthroughs.
A lot of that September magic came from refining his swing mechanics. Specifically, he boosted his 'ideal attack angle' to 58.4% of swings – Statcast's term for when the bat meets the ball at an upward angle between 5 and 20 degrees, perfect for launching line drives or powerful fly balls. For those new to baseball analytics, this is about optimizing your swing to lift the ball rather than just slapping it on the ground, which maximizes extra-base hits.
Mayo thrives when he gets the ball airborne, spreading his power across the field. Earlier in June, though, he was only in that sweet spot for 26.9% of swings. When asked about the data, Mayo said he hadn't dived into the numbers but knew the team's long-standing advice since his minor league days in Low-A: get under the ball and drive it up.
"In chats with Manso and Mike recently, we talked goals and how I can maximize my big-league impact," Mayo explained. "For me, it's elevating the ball and barreling it up hard. Nail that, and I could be one of the top contributors on this squad."
In September, he wasn't just contributing – he was the Orioles' top hitter by far, no contest. But turning those flashes into steady excellence? That's the offseason quest ahead. And to stir things up a bit, here's a counterpoint: some fans argue Mayo's power is overrated without consistent contact, while others see him as the next big bat. What do you think – is Mayo ready to be Baltimore's cornerstone, or should they shop him for pitching help? Drop your takes in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're all-in on his future or hedging your bets!
