Orioles' Coby Mayo Struggling to Find Offensive Rhythm Early On

The young third baseman's defensive play has been strong, but his bat has yet to come alive in the 2026 season.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:51pm

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Coby Mayo, the Baltimore Orioles' young third baseman, has gotten off to a slow start at the plate this season, hitting just .118/.250/.176 with a high strikeout rate of 35%. However, his defensive play at the hot corner has been a bright spot, and there are reasons to believe his offensive struggles will be short-lived.

Why it matters

Mayo was expected to be a key part of the Orioles' lineup this season, so his early offensive woes are concerning. The team is relying on his bat to complement his strong glove work, and his development is crucial to the Orioles' long-term plans.

The details

Mayo has hit the ball hard but has been plagued by poor luck, with several well-struck balls finding opposing outfielders' gloves. Additionally, the Orioles have faced mostly right-handed pitching so far, which has historically been a challenge for Mayo. As the season progresses and the team faces more left-handed pitchers, Mayo's numbers are expected to improve.

  • The 2026 MLB season began on April 1st.

The players

Coby Mayo

A young third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles who has struggled offensively to start the 2026 season but has played well defensively.

Jordan Westburg

An Orioles prospect who was injured, opening the door for Mayo to start at third base this spring.

Gunnar Henderson

An Orioles prospect who raised his OPS by nearly .300 points in a single game against the Pirates.

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What’s next

As the Orioles face more left-handed pitchers in their division, Mayo's offensive production is expected to improve. The team will also be monitoring his plate discipline, as they would like to see him be more aggressive early in counts to avoid falling behind.

The takeaway

While Coby Mayo's early-season offensive struggles are concerning, there are reasons to believe they will be short-lived. His strong defensive play and the expectation that he will see more favorable pitching matchups as the season progresses provide optimism that Mayo can turn things around and become a key contributor for the Orioles.