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WEST PALM BEACH, FL: Coby Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles lines one of his four hits against the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 10, 2026. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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Coby Mayo started spring training the subject of trade rumors. Now, he’s the Baltimore Orioles’ hottest hitter and closing in on a starting job.
Hitting .500 and playing solid if unspectacular defense has a way of doing that.
Orioles fans had been clamoring for the young infielder to be dealt for needed pitching. If he keeps hitting throughout the 2026 season many will concede that General Manager Mike Elias was correct when putting in his order for a 2026 roster and deciding to hold the Mayo.
When the Orioles signed free agent first baseman Pete Alonso in December, it created a glut of infielders. Jordan Westburg was at third base, Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Jackson Holliday at second base and Alonso, Ryan Mountcastle and Mayo all at first base.
Holliday broke the hamate bone in his left hand and had surgery. Westburg partially tore a ligament in his right elbow. Neither will be ready for the start of the season. That opened the door for Mayo and he burst through it.
He has 10 RBI in 10 spring games, going 13-for-26 with a home run, 3 doubles and only 1 strikeout. That includes a 4-for-4, 5-RBI outing against the Houston Astros. Mayo has not drawn a walk so his .464 on-base percentage is lower than his batting average.
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BALTIMORE: Coby Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles plays third base against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 4, 2025. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
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Mayo played about 75% of his games on defense at third base in the minors. Last year in Baltimore he played there only three times and was at first 70 times. Now he’s back at third.
“He’s a great defender for his size and his body type,” Elias said of the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder. “He’s got a ton of arm strength and he’s a natural infielder.”
Many of his errors in the minors came on erratic throws. Mayo has been working overtime with infield coach Miguel Cairo on his footwork and said he feels more comfortable getting into proper position for throwing. He has three errors in 49 innings at third this spring.
Making His Mark
Drafted out of high school at age 18 in the fourth round in 2020 and got a $1.75 million signing bonus. As the 103rd pick overall, that was more than 54 players picked ahead of him.
He quickly showed why the Orioles were willing to pay him to skip out on a college commitment to the University of Florida. In three stops in Baltimore’s lower-level farm system in 2021, he hit .319 with 9 homers and 41 RBI in 53 games.
Mayo also had 11 stolen bases without being caught, a tribute more to his baseball IQ than running speed. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder has swiped just 18 more in 25 tries since, including 3-for-3 in the majors.
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BOWIE, MD: Coby Mayo of the Bowie Baysox throws to first base to get an out against the Akron RubberDucks at Prince George's Stadium on April 16, 2023. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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He was drafted for his power potential. In 2022, he hit 19 homers, followed by 29 with 99 RBI and a .290 average across Double-A and Triple-A in 2023. He had 25 homers and a .293 average in 2024 despite missing a month with a broken rib.
In two stints at the big-league level, however, he has struck out in 31.2% of his plate appearances with a .201 average and 11 homers in 340 times up. Mayo and the Orioles were encouraged when he hit .301 with five homers over 24 games last September.
Who’s On Third?
Brooks Robinson, the finest fielding third baseman in history, began his career by playing second base in the Orioles’ system.
The great Hall of Famer played 54 of his 95 games at age 18 for the York (Pa.) White Roses at second in 1955. He hit .331 and was called up to the Orioles and played third.
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BALTIMORE: Brooks Robinson makes a diving catch of a line drive by Cincinnati's Johnny Bench in Game 3 of the 1970 World Series at Memorial Stadium.
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Oh, how he played third! Robinson won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves, beginning in 1960. He has a long, long list of fielding records.
Cal Ripken Jr. played primarily third base in the minors. Manager Earl Weaver moved him to short in Baltimore. He won two gold gloves, never missed a game, eventually went back to third and on to the Hall of Fame.
Other Orioles instances:
- Bobby Grich won gold gloves in Baltimore at second base. He played primarily in the minors at shortstop.
- Doug DeCinces succeeded Robinson at third. In the minors, he played 231 games there and 207 at second.
- Manny Machado played 297 games at shortstop and two games at third in the minors. He played third exclusively when called up to Baltimore and won two gold gloves there. Now with San Diego, he has played 1,534 career games at third; 236 at short.
This is not to say that Mayo is going to win a gold glove. It does point out that even flashy fielders change positions, too.
Coby Mayo’s Future With Baltimore Orioles
Mayo has long been regarded as a building block and now he has an opportunity to put his career in motion. He has full support from his bosses:
“I think Coby’s in a really good spot,” Elias said. “We like what we see.”
Added new manager Craig Albernaz: “He had a great mindset coming into camp, did a great job in the offseason and it shows. The attention to detail has been outstanding."
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SARASOTA, FL: (EDITORS NOTE: A special effects camera filter was used for this image.) Coby Mayo poses for a photo during the Baltimore Orioles' photo day at Ed Smith Stadium on Feb. 18, 2026. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Mayo must live up to the expectations. A strong April cannot only help Mayo but ease the urgency to have Westburg return too early and risk further damage. That would be ideal for the Orioles. Otherwise, Elias will need to make some moves.
There’s a baseball adage that often the trade you didn’t make proves to be the most valuable. Coby Mayo and the 2026 Baltimore Orioles are eager to make it true.
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