Spring training this, that and the other

SARASOTA, Fla. – Where some people see a logjam, Coby Mayo sees a fighting chance.

Seven infielders, six infielders, it doesn’t matter to Mayo. He isn’t expecting to spend his 2025 season riding buses in Triple-A.

“I think I’ve said this last year, I think an opportunity will present itself if you can show out and if I can do what I can do,” Mayo said earlier this week at his clubhouse locker. “Last spring was an example of how I can play in this kind of environment. Just going to look to do the same this year.”

Mayo didn’t break camp with the Orioles but he thumped a few baseballs, hitting .360 with a 1.008 OPS in 23 games. His 11 RBIs were tied with Anthony Santander for third on the club. Jackson Holliday got most of the press when he was cut from the camp roster, but the group also included Mayo, Heston Kjerstad, Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby.

The pitching in the International League was no match for Mayo, who batted .287 with 23 doubles, three triples, 22 home runs, 67 RBIs and a .925 OPS in 89 games. But it was all uphill with the Orioles. And the climb lasted only 17 games.

There isn’t much more to say about it. Mayo was dumped into a pennant race, where every loss hurt, and going 4-for-41 with 22 strikeouts didn’t garner the kind of trust that keeps a player in a lineup.

“It’s obviously the toughest, the best of the best players in the world, and I think it’s a great opportunity to bounce back this spring,” said Mayo, who spent his offseason in the Fort Lauderdale area. “Just learning from last year and how competitive it is and how much of a microscope you’re under and how good the players are up there. Just looking to do that this year.”

Mayo won’t pretend that those months didn’t sting him. Failure wasn’t in his vocabulary. He’s already a humble young man. He didn’t need his favorite sport to knock him down.

“It was a great learning experience, something you can learn from,” he said. “I think there’s gonna be adversity in your career. You just don’t know when it’s gonna happen, and that was a big piece of adversity so far in my career. I’m ready to take it head-on. I think some offseason things that, just learning from and talking to hitting coaches, all parts of my game, just trying to get better everywhere and see where it takes me.”

Mayo’s bat remains ahead of his glove and he’s battling to reduce the gap. He demonstrated some improvement at third base after lowering his arm slot on his throws, and he’s also busy taking ground balls at first.

“I think it’s come a long way from two, three years ago to now, feeling good. I don’t think it’s given me many problems, that throw, recently. Just excited to take any challenges head-on and going 110 percent every day,” Mayo said.

“You don’t really know how things are going to look a month from now, two months from now, maybe even next week or today. You never know. Just really working on speed, just movements in general. I think if you become a better athlete, it kind of helps your game. All parts – hitting, defense, baserunning. And yeah, working third and first. Kind of everywhere just to be available.”

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said Mayo will stay at the corners in camp. Mayo’s future could be at first base but he’s going to take countless ground balls at third on the back and main fields.

“I think the fact that he got his debut out of the way is a really good thing,” Elias said. “I think that’s big for young hitters these days. He’s somebody that we think is poised to be a huge contributor this year, so we’ll give him a strong look and every opportunity.”

* Dylan Carlson blended in with the other outfielders yesterday by taking live batting practice on the stadium field. He was on the same side as Cedric Mullins and Ramón Laureano, and Colton Cowser took his swings in the opposite group.

The Orioles signed Carlson to a $975,000 contract, giving them a switch-hitter who plays all three spots and carries minor league options for flexibility purposes.

"Playing against this organization, just seeing it from the outside, it always seemed like a place with good vibes, good talent, a team that was emerging, and something that I felt like I wanted to be a part of,” Carlson said. “An opportunity presented itself. It was something I was really excited about.

“I think the main thing I bring is some versatility, some experience. For me, I’m want to come in here, compete, and just show this organization what I can do.”

The best was in 2021 with the Cardinals, when he hit .266/.343/.437 with 31 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs and 65 RBIs in 149 games and finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting. He’s experienced a steady decline, with injuries contributing, and posted a .209 average with a .563 OPS last summer in a combined 96 games with St. Louis and Tampa Bay.

“This game, it’s all about adjustments, it’s all about continuing to grow and evolve,” he said. “I just had some injuries that were unfortunate timing different things like that, but it’s just a game of adjustments and something where you learn and you’ve got to evolve and figure out how the league’s attacking you and attack them back.

“At this point I feel confident, I feel healthy, and I’m ready to come in here and showcase what I can do.”

It only happens if his body cooperates.

Carlson has battled hamstring, thumb, ankle and AC joint injuries. He underwent surgery on the ankle in 2023 and began last season on the injured list.

“Nothing lingering this offseason, went into the offseason healthy,” he said. “Really, really excited, being around this group. It feels really nice to be around a group with some really good vibes, some excitement. Just looking forward for the whole squad to be here now.”

The winter focus was on the physical side, doing what’s necessary to stay on the field and be available every day.

“Ultimately,” he said, “just get myself in a place where I feel athletic and confident.”

The Orioles already signed Tyler O’Neill before Carlson joined the organization, and they reached agreement with Laureano two weeks ago. There’s nothing wrong with his vision. He sees the obstacles. He just isn’t worried about them.

“They brought us all in for a reason,” he said. “They feel we can help this team and I’m confident that I can help this team in several ways. That’s a decision for them. All we can do is go out there and control what we can control and put out our best foot every day.”

* Umpire retirements following the 2024 season included crew chiefs Paul Emmel, Jerry Layne and Larry Vanover.

Vic Carapazza, Doug Eddings and Andy Fletcher were named to the crew chief positions.