When Coby Mayo stepped to the plate on Monday, he had no time to overthink. The 24-year-old slugger learned he was starting just an hour before first pitch after Samuel Basallo was scratched with knee soreness. With two runners on and the Orioles trailing by two, Mayo launched a go-ahead three-run homer—the biggest hit of his young career. It was a moment that underscored a key lesson: sometimes, less thinking leads to better results.
Mayo himself pointed to a recent Trea Turner quote about finding success without his usual pregame routine. But there’s another factor at play here. When Mayo wasn’t forced to juggle defensive responsibilities at third base, he could focus entirely on hitting. And that’s where things get complicated for the Orioles.
It’s no secret that Mayo remains a work in progress at the hot corner. The defensive anxiety has likely contributed to his .165/.230/.311 slash line this season. Learning a new position on the fly hasn’t helped his bat, and everyone around the organization knows it. Yet the Orioles face a roster crunch. Pete Alonso is locked in at first base for the next five years. Jordan Westburg may be lost for the season. And Basallo is already demanding at-bats when he’s not catching. The only opening for Mayo is at third base, for better or worse.
That’s the reality for a former fourth-round pick trying to carve out a major league career. But here’s the bigger concern: if the Orioles have seen how defensive pressure can derail a young hitter like Mayo, why would they risk doing the same to Jackson Holliday?
Holliday—the former first-overall pick who fast-tracked to the majors at just 22 years old—is now taking reps at third base during his latest rehab assignment. After struggling in his first taste of big league action, the last thing he needs is another positional challenge added to his plate. The Orioles have a golden opportunity to develop one of baseball’s top prospects the right way. Messing with his defensive home could set back not just his glove, but his entire game.