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Who could have guessed being a part of one of the top organizations in baseball could prove so difficult? Such is the case for Orioles top prospect Coby Mayo who is making his case as the best prospect in baseball who has yet to make his big-league debut.
The 22-year-old has done nothing but rake since the club stole him in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. The only thing that attempted to get in his way during a massive season with Triple-A Norfolk was a rib injury that sidelined Mayo for roughly a month. Mayo has not only failed to skip a beat but has surged since getting back into the Tides' lineup in mid-June.
Let's take a look at Mayo's fantasy baseball potential while gauging when he could make his way into a crowded Orioles lineup.
How High Is Coby Mayo's Fantasy Potential?
Unlike a lot of top prospects knocking on the door of a big-league promotion, Mayo doesn't bring much speed to the table. He isn't completely absent of stolen base upside, but he has just 24 swipes across 348 minor-league contests. What he does boast is light-tower power that should absolutely play at the big-league level.
In his return from his rib injury, all Mayo did was double and homer three times apiece in four games for High-A Fredrick. After his assault on far inferior competition, he has collected at least one hit in eight of his nine games for Norfolk, including five doubles and four home runs. Add it up, and he is hitting .297 with 14 homers, three steals, and a .971 OPS in 47 Triple-A contests this season.
Coby Mayo since returning from the IL...
9 G, 39 PA, .394/.487/.909, 5 2B, 4 HR, 12.8% BB, 20.5% K#Birdlandpic.twitter.com/cgXAsmQoaz
— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) June 25, 2024
If there is a knock on Mayo, it's the swing-and-miss in his game, as he has struck out in 26% of his plate appearances this season, but he has also walked in a solid 9.3% of his plate appearances at Triple-A after posting a hearty 15.7% BB% with the Tides in 2023. The fantasy upside is nothing short of massive for the young Orioles corner infielder.
When Might Coby Mayo Get A Major-League Opportunity?
There is no doubt that Mayo would have already been a big leaguer for just about any other organization in baseball by now. The problem for him is fellow youngster and former top prospect Jordan Westburg is having a massive season at third base in Baltimore while Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O'Hearn continue to produce over at first base.
Youngsters Colton Cowser and Kyle Stowers are also producing in the big leagues, while the Orioles recently brought up outfielder and 2020 second-overall pick Heston Kjerstad. The logjam in Baltimore is pure insanity, especially on the infield dirt.
105.1 mph/415 feet
Coby Mayo is up to 17 home runs and is a triple shy of a cycle tonight.
— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@TheVergePod) June 22, 2024
At the same time, Mayo sure appears to be in the midst of forcing the organization's hand. In a normal universe, he's already well underway in The Show. In the Orioles universe, he continues to bomb minor-league arms. Whether he continues to give the big club no other choice or he is dealt as part of a major package for much-needed rotation help, Mayo should be in a major league uniform sooner than later.
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