The Orioles need some help in the infield, amidst an injury to starting third baseman Jordan Westburg. Cody Mayo, rated the third-best prospect in the Orioles’ system per MLB.com, will get his first look at the MLB level. The O’s promoted Mayo after the 22-year-old tore up Triple-A and led his league in slugging percentage.
A Look at Mayo
The Orioles selected infielder Coby Mayo with their fourth-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. Mayo was rated the 132nd-best prospect in that year’s draft per MLB.com, thanks in large part to projections of plus power and a strong arm. This far, Mayo’s lived up to the hype.
Mayo posted a .981 OPS across 53 Minor League games in 2021, before a dip in production (.782 OPS) a year later. The 22-year-old’s numbers exploded in 2023, as Mayo belted 29 home runs across two levels (AA and AAA) last season. With Norfolk in 2024, Mayo hit .301/.375/.586 with 20 home runs and 44 extra-base hits before his promotion. His .586 SLG is first in the International League among qualified hitters.
Standing at 6’5” and 230 pounds, Mayo is a hulking presence. The 22-year-old has plus power and bat speed. Additionally, Mayo showed a knack for staying back on offspeed and breaking balls in Triple-A. This season with the Tides, Mayo had a 34.9% Whiff% rate against breaking balls.
And, he’s got a plus eye at the plate, which should naturally keep the strikeout numbers down from what one would expect from a power hitter. Mayo posted a 15.1% BB% last season and a 10.1% BB% this season.
Defensively, one has to wonder whether Mayo, a large figure, can stick at third long-term. Reports have long lauded his arm strength and that shows up on video. He does react well to balls hit but his foot speed, should that regress, could necessitate a move to a different position.
Analysis
The Orioles, a team rich in infielders, need help amidst a rash of injuries. Jorge Mateo is on the IL, while All-Star third baseman Jordan Westburg sustained a hand fracture. Baltimore already called up Jackson Holliday to return after a sluggish first run in the Majors, and now Mayo will get his first look.
Mayo is a third baseman by trade, making him an obvious pick to replace Westburg.
Fantasy Outlook
We noted back in May that fantasy owners should keep a close eye on Mayo, given his power. Now, it is worth noting Mayo is a right-handed hitter, notable given the deep left field wall at Camden Yards. That could hurt his home run totals yearly. But, Mayo’s plus power means it shouldn’t hurt as much as one would think.
As for right now, Mayo did what he had to do to earn a promotion. He has value in mixed leagues, provided he plays every day. However, the big question will be whether Major League offspeed and breaking balls give him trouble.