Norby passes through Baltimore again, talks about Mayo's monster season

Connor Norby has stepped inside the Camden Yards home clubhouse a few times this season without actually being on the active roster.

At least catcher David Bañuelos had his contract selected twice before the Orioles outrighted him.

Norby was optioned June 11 after the Orioles returned from St. Petersburg, Fla. He got to Baltimore, had a locker set up and waited downstairs to claim his bags and head back to Triple-A. Jorge Mateo’s reinstatement from the concussion injured list cost him a spot.

Just enough time for Norby to take some photos of his uniforms and leave major league life.

The Orioles put Norby on the 24-hour taxi squad Saturday while waiting to find out whether infielder Jordan Westburg or outfielder Austin Hays, both bothered by knee soreness, would go on the injured list. Westburg returned to the lineup, Hays started yesterday in left field, and Norby vanished again.

Norby walked into the clubhouse Saturday and didn’t see a locker with his name above it. He gave the media a head nod and a “hello” as he drifted through the room, sat next to Colton Cowser’s space while conducting an interview, and eventually was placed at the end of a row beside pitcher Albert Suárez.

There doesn’t seem to be much left for Norby to prove with the Norfolk Tides. He can flat-out hit. His brief stay in Baltimore this weekend came after he batted .286/.380/.498 with 20 doubles, a triple, 11 home runs and 45 RBIs in 65 games with the Tides.

The only benefit to staying with Norfolk would be to keep working on his defense, especially in the corner outfield. Norby wants to stay at second base and is convinced that he can play the position in the majors, but the Orioles are trying to expand their options with him to improve his chances of staying.

Other teams are watching, too, and value increases if Norby isn’t strictly a second baseman. That’s part of the business side. But either way, the more positions the better.

Norby also left the Tides having tied former infielder Blake Davis for the sixth-most hits in Norfolk history as an Orioles affiliate with 252 and took over sole possession of third for doubles with 62.

“They’re great and all but you don’t want to get too comfortable down there,” Norby said of a record chase that he’d rather avoid. “I think I belong here and it’s just continue to show that and continue to be ready for when my name’s called and when a spot comes up. Just help this team win and play to the best of my ability every night.”

Meanwhile, Coby Mayo moved into the next prospect watch, with fans and media wondering when he’ll get to debut. Mayo, recovered from a fractured rib, went into yesterday’s game batting .314/.384/.647 with 14 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 47 RBIs in 232 plate appearances. He was 6-for-13 with three doubles and three homers on his rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen.

Defensive work really applies to Mayo, who impressed at third base in spring training but experienced some struggles after the season started. The Orioles were committed to keeping him at the corner in camp but could consider first base and the corner outfielder.

The bat ain’t an issue. It’s special. It’s the reason why the organization seems resistant to making him available in trade talks.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias was in Norfolk last week to watch Dean Kremer’s rehab start, and he joined the radio broadcast to touch on a number of topics. Mayo, of course, was one of them.

"He’s at the level of talent and experience where you start figuring out ways to work him in,” Elias said, “because I do think he’s ready, very close to ready for a major league challenge."

He meant with the Orioles. Not one of the sellers.

The question becomes how to fit him onto the roster. He might be here already if the club had an obvious hole to fill. The corner infield isn’t a liability with first basemen Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O’Hearn and third basemen Westburg and Ramón Urías.

Urías can pretty much play anywhere and every team needs that guy. So, unless there’s an injury, the Orioles would need to create a path for Mayo.

They’re getting closer to it.

Norby is rooting for his friend and roommate, another example of how competition to ditch Triple-A doesn’t impact relationships.

“Last year when he first came up he was struggling a little bit,” Norby said. “Obviously, everyone goes through an adjustment. At least, most guys do. And I think it took him probably three weeks or four weeks last year and then he was right on it, doing what he does. This year, really it feels like he hasn’t missed a beat. Really, not a lot of the guys who have been down there have missed really anything. He’s hitting everything and it’s impressive.

“Just continue to work on the defensive side of the ball with him. He was really good in spring training and had a rough start, I guess. Fluke couple plays at the beginning and then he kind of put some pressure on himself. But he’s looked way better over there. With the rib, obviously that didn’t help, but he looks good over there again and he’s working really hard. He’s going to be up here in no time for sure. He’s really swinging it well.

“I’m around him every day. We’re roommates again, so I’m glad he’s back. But he’s itching to get up here. He’s fine-tuning things.”

That’s fine for now.