Coby Mayo’s bat is doing all the talking in Triple-A Norfolk. The Baltimore Orioles’ No. 2 prospect — and MLB.com’s No. 13 overall — continues to post strong numbers in the minors, prompting a fair question. When will Mayo get another shot in the big leagues?
Through 26 games of the 2025 season with the Norfolk Tides, Mayo is slashing .268/.368/.567 with 6 home runs, 21 RBIs, with a .935 OPS. These aren’t necessarily surprising numbers. That’s a continuation of a player forcing the conversation. But while fans clamor for his return, the path to Camden Yards remains cluttered and complicated.
Coby Mayo looks ready, but is there room on the Orioles roster?
After a tough spring training, the Orioles optioned Mayo to Triple-A to begin the year. It wasn’t a popular move, but it was the right one. Mayo himself didn’t hide his frustration, calling the situation a “lose-lose” in the media. And you can see where he’s coming from — he’s proven everything he can at the minor league level. But the big league struggles still linger. In his MLB debut last August, Mayo hit just .098 in 41 at-bats — a cold stretch that still hangs over the Orioles’ decision-making.
#Orioles No. 2 prospect Coby Mayo has homered in back-to-back games and is batting .360 with a 1.189 OPS during a seven-game hitting streak.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/C1dNPmZwiH
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) April 15, 2025
Even if Mayo’s bat rebounds at the next level, the corners in Baltimore appear locked down. Ramon Urias is quietly having a strong campaign, slashing .292/.338/.419 over 22 games with 2 home runs, 9 RBIs, and a 123 OPS+. His glove remains dependable, and his versatility is a major asset. Urias is producing, and benching him for Mayo isn’t a move the Orioles appear ready to make.
The depth chart doesn’t do Mayo any favors either. Finding consistent at-bats for him would take more than a call-up — it would require reshuffling the entire infield.
The O’s have publicly maintained that Mayo’s time will come. They just want him to keep getting everyday reps in Norfolk until the roster opens up.
That may not sit well with everyone, least of all Mayo, but it’s common from a developmental stance when handling a contending roster.
If Mayo keeps mashing, his return feels inevitable. He’s still only 23 years old, with enormous power that few in the system can match. Whether it’s via an injury, a trade, or simply an undeniable performance, Mayo’s time will inevitably come.
