Coby Mayo, a top baseball prospect, was called up by the Baltimore Orioles on Friday to make his major league debut against the Cleveland Guardians.
Mayo had a strong season with Triple-A Norfolk, hitting .301 with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs in 77 games, and leading the International League with a .586 slugging percentage. At 22 years old, he was set to play third base and bat eighth in the lineup against the Guardians.
“I remember being in first grade and writing that I wanted to play in the big leagues,” Mayo said upon arriving at Progressive Field. “When the game starts is when the dream comes true.”
Mayo, drafted in the fourth round in 2020, was promoted to replace All-Star third baseman Jordan Westburg, who was put on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a broken right hand.
Manager Brandon Hyde advised Mayo not to feel too much pressure due to the circumstances. He mentioned that Mayo would be the main third baseman.
“I’m not looking for him to replace Jordan Westburg. I just want Coby to be himself,” Hyde said. “Not to try too hard to contribute too much, but to be part of a winning team.”
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Mayo has a .286 batting average over 378 minor league games and has played at all five levels of Baltimore’s minor league system.
The Orioles were tied for first place in the AL East with the New York Yankees and two games behind the AL-leading Guardians. Infielder Livan Soto was sent down to Norfolk to make room for Mayo.
