SARASOTA, Fla. -- The question was asked repeatedly by fans and pundits alike for much of the past two months: Why don't the Orioles trade Coby Mayo? They had too many first basemen, and the 24-year-old former top prospect would be a prime trade chip to flip for pitching help.
After recent developments, the O's are surely quite glad they did not trade Mayo.
On Friday, Jordan Westburg received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow, which has a partial tear in the UCL. The 27-year-old infielder is heading for the injured list and will be out through the end of April (and potentially longer), creating an opening for Baltimore at third base.
There's now a clear path to playing time for Mayo, who had been part of a logjam behind Pete Alonso and Ryan Mountcastle at first base. Mayo is now part of a projected starting infield featuring Alonso, shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Blaze Alexander, who is the favorite to start at second in the absence of Jackson Holliday (broken hamate bone in right hand).
"That’s why you stay ready and you do all the work in the offseason and in Spring Training, just in case something freakish happens," Mayo said. "It’s unfortunate for them. I really do feel horrible, especially for Westy, being out significantly more time. But it’s an opportunity, and it’s all about what you can do with it."
It's not a guarantee that Mayo will slot in as the everyday third baseman. President of baseball operations Mike Elias said Mayo will get "a lot" of time at third in Spring Training -- which had already been the case during early workouts and is now continuing into Grapefruit League games -- but it's not fully decided how playing time will be handled at the position during the regular season.
Infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson, non-roster invitee Weston Wilson and Bryan Ramos (who was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals on Friday) are among the other third basemen in camp. Plus, Alexander can play third, so he could slide over to the position once Holliday returns, which could happen in mid-April.
But Mayo has emerged as the front-runner. The 2020 fourth-round Draft pick played 319 games at third base in the Minors (including 124 at Triple-A Norfolk), though only 12 of his 89 MLB starts over the past two seasons have come at the position.
Mayo has proven he may be a better defender at first base, where he put in a ton of work last season and was preparing to focus on at the beginning of the offseason. Then, after the signing of Alonso, Mayo was told by the team to work at third again in an effort to increase his versatility.
This spring, Mayo has worked closely with infield coach Miguel Cairo and third-base coach Buck Britton on his defense at third as the youngster gets reacclimated to the position.
"He’s moving good," Elias said. "He’s a great defender for his size and his body type, and he’s got a ton of arm strength and he’s a natural infielder. But the hot corner at the Major League level is really hard, and getting to that level of play is something that he’s been working on. But I think he’s in a really good spot. He looks better than ever so far."
"The intensity, the focus to detail, the attention to detail, has been outstanding with him," manager Craig Albernaz added.
At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Mayo is a bit bigger than most third baseman. His arm is powerful, though he's often worked on his accuracy, tinkering with throwing slots and mechanics in recent years.
Mayo could force his way into the Orioles' lineup with his hit tool, which began to play at the big league level for the first time last September. He hit .301 with three doubles, five home runs and a .941 OPS in 24 games over the final month of the season.
However, Mayo believes his defense at third can become an asset for the team as well.
"The footwork aspect, keeping my foot moving, not getting too tall and upright, I just think I can get better at staying lower to the ground and playing low," Mayo said. "I think I’ve got a strong arm, and I’ve got to use that to my ability and just be a complete third baseman."
There's ample time for Mayo to improve. He started at third in the O's Grapefruit League opener vs. the Yankees on Friday, and he should get plenty more action there over the next four weeks.
"We’re out there every day, grinding, battling, doing what we can to get as game ready as possible," Mayo said. "I’m feeling pretty good, and I think some action over there during the games will help me out as well, too."