Mayo joins Orioles and achieves a lifelong goal

CLEVELAND—Coby Mayo was removed from Triple-A Norfolk’s game against Charlotte with the Tides holding a huge lead. Manager Buck Britton told Mayo that it was time to come out.

“He told me that I had six at-bats and it was a long game and he just wanted to get me off my feet,” Mayo said. “You always want to speculate a little bit, but you never want to get too ahead of yourself.”

Mayo was asked if he speculated that meant he’d be joining the Orioles. “Of course,” he laughed.

The 22-year-old, who was a fourth-round pick in 2020, didn’t think before Thursday night’s Norfolk game that he was going up, especially since Liván Soto got the call after Jordan Westburg sustained a broken right hand in Wednesday’s game.

Hyde and the Orioles haven’t explained why Soto was called up for one game, but Mayo is grateful to join the club.

“Sometimes you can make sense of the situation and what’s going on,” Mayo said. “But I definitely did not know that I’d be here today.”

Mayo was hitting .301 with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs with a .967 OPS in 77 games with Norfolk. He missed a month after fracturing a rib in a collision with a dugout in Lehigh Valley in May.

Soto was on the roster for Thursday night’s game but didn’t play. He was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

Now, Mayo is replacing Westburg, although Hyde doesn’t want him to view it that way. He wants Mayo to be himself.

“If I can, I’m always watching a big league game,” Mayo said. “It was terrible to see Westburg get hurt, somebody that I’ve watched all year. He’s one of the best right now in the game at third base, a really good hitter with runners in scoring position and just someone that I’m trying to emulate my game after right now.”

Mayo joins a young infield that includes Gunnar Henderson, 23, at short and Jackson Holliday, 20, at second base.

“I’ve talked to some guys that have been up here,” Mayo said. “Just nothing but positive things about this clubhouse and about the group and the coaching staff. Just really excited for this moment.”

Manager Brandon Hyde emphasizes that the major leagues are a different ballgame.

“We’re excited to have him. The year he’s had in Triple-A has been amazing,” he said. “Even with the rib injury, he’s put up huge numbers. We’re excited about the offensive potential, and what it could possibly bring to our lineup.”

Mayo has played first base this season, but Hyde sees him playing third.

“Quite a bit. We’ll see how it goes. We’ll give him an opportunity. I’m hoping the bat will help us,” he said.

Mayo’s debut enables him to achieve his goal.

“I was talking to my girlfriend this morning, like, being in first grade and writing that I wanted to play in the major leagues, and it’s a reality now,” he said. “The moment I step on that field and the game starts is when the dream comes true.”