Coby Mayo on getting to start the spring training opener

SARASOTA, Fla. – For young Orioles infield prospect Coby Mayo, it was not just another spring training game. It was his first chance to be in the starting lineup wearing an Orioles jersey.

In an interview before yesterday’s spring training opener with the Twins, Mayo recalled he had gotten one previous spring at-bat against the Yankees and had played one inning in the field versus the Phillies last spring. But Saturday he got the start, batting eighth for the Orioles and playing at third base.

He is a non-roster player at O’s spring camp and his day to make this team is not quite yet at hand, but for now Mayo, 21, is soaking up all he can in a clubhouse with big leaguers.

“Just being in this environment has been great,” he said in the Baltimore clubhouse. “Really cool to watch these guys last year do what they did and have a lot of success during the season. Coming in and being a part of this environment this spring – it’s been really good. It’s a fun group to be around and cool to see how everyone acts with each other. This (a playoff chase) is hopefully the next big thing for this team.”

On a day the Orioles beat the Twins 10-5, Mayo had a somewhat uneventful day. He went 0-for-1 with a walk and played five innings at third base, but no balls were hit his way. 

However, for a young player with only 34 games under his belt as high as the Double-A level, getting into a spring game is a bit of a big deal and a nice opportunity.

“It was cool,” he said, remembering his earlier time playing in spring games. “There seemed to be a lot going into the game, leading up to it. But once you get out there, it’s still baseball, once you step inside the lines.

“It will be a cool experience (to get to start a game). I didn’t know what to expect going into this camp. I knew I would get some playing time being here, but I didn’t know how much. It will be cool to play in front of these fans, first game of the season. It’s exciting, for sure."

Mayo has made three top 100 lists and is ranked as high as No. 36, by FanGraphs.com. The ESPN list has him at No. 47 and Baseball Prospectus puts him at No. 69.

Last year he played two games in the Florida Complex League while rehabbing a back issue, 68 for High-A Aberdeen and 34 for Double-A Bowie. He batted .247/.326/.456/.782 with 20 doubles, two triples, 19 homers and 69 RBIs.

A fourth-round draft pick in 2020, Mayo gets a 50 grade from Baseball America for his hit tool and 60 grades for power and arm. Baseball America ranks him No. 10 on their O’s top 30.

He said his winter work was just about trying to improve his all-around game and his body.

“Just getting bigger and stronger. And working on my feet," he said. "Trying to get faster and come this year feeling strong and healthy and just have a great season.”

As for those top 100 lists, where the Orioles had as many as eight and nine players ranked, Mayo said it's no surprise to him.

“It’s unbelievable how much talent we have," he said. "They’ve done a good job bringing these guys in and working hard with them to bring out the best. Sometimes it gets frustrating during these days with practicing, challenging BP, but it brings out the best of us. Our top 10 prospects could be No. 1 for a lot of teams out there.

“It’s nice (for me) to have recognition. But at the end of the day it only matters how I play on the field and what my coaches think of me and the organization thinks of me. Still have to go play."

The Orioles hit four homers yesterday, two by Heston Kjerstad, in their win. Kjerstad went 3-for-3 and singled in the eighth after earlier hitting a foul ball by the left-field foul pole. He didn't miss a third homer by much.

Today the Orioles travel to Lakeland to face Detroit, with Dean Kremer getting the start. I will join Brett Hollander for the game broadcast at 1 p.m. on WBAL Radio and 98 Rock.