Coby Mayo Makes Big Splash In Debut

The cancellation of the 2020 minor league season and a knee injury sustained in spring training put third baseman Coby Mayo’s professional debut on hold. But it never tested his patience or impacted his development.

His days were coming. And the lofty expectations surrounding the fourth-round pick would be justified.

The 19-year-old Mayo made a big splash in his early games in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, displaying the power and plus arm that had scouts flocking to Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Fla.

That tool set had the Orioles willing to give Mayo, who grew to 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, a $1.775 million bonus that was well above the $565,600 slot value.

Over his first 20 games, Mayo batted .339/.453/.548 with four doubles, three home runs, 13 RBIs and 12 walks. 

Before reporting to fall instructional league last year, Mayo and other young players were kept busy with a variety of creative activities meant to educate and create a bond.

“They did a really, really good job,” Mayo said. “They had a lot of the new players on Zoom calls every Monday and Thursday and we read books together and got to know each other through Zoom.

“That was kind of a new way of communicating with the team and some of the guys. We read some books that were really key in our organization, what the Orioles preach, so that was really good.”

The Orioles weren’t interested in making drastic changes in Mayo, who decided to forgo his commitment to Florida. Scouting director Brad Ciolek said Mayo demonstrated 70-grade power on the 20-80 scale.

“He has an extremely high ceiling,” Ciolek said.

Mayo appreciated the organization’s approach of helping him out while not forcing him to make adjustments that weren’t needed.

“Obviously, I’m 19 years old and I’m still young,” he said. “There’s going to be adjustments that have to be made, whether it’s on the field, off the field. But I think they did a good job trying to help me out.” 

BIRD SEED

— Double-A Bowie lefthander D.L. Hall, a first-round pick in 2017, has a stress reaction in a bone in his left elbow that requires further rest. He won’t pitch again in 2021.

— Bowie shortstop Joey Ortiz had surgery in July to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Orioles expect him to be ready for spring training.