As mentioned in the Dylan Crews fantasy, guys who are up are good. Better even. Maybe. That’s actually subjective. Better, I mean. “What’s better?” I believe that was Socrates quote. Not the famous philosopher. Guy I went to school with named Socrates who would always be asking, “What’s better? Getting kicked or punched in the groin?” Freakin’ Socrates and his stupid questions. This brings us (not really) to Coby Mayo. So, before I do any of these posts, I go back and look at what I (and Itch) wrote previously on the prospect, and for Mayo the reading was more extensive than English Lit 303. Firstly, Itch had him ranked 12th on the top 50 prospects for dynasty fantasy baseball. Flirtsly, what the hell is a flirtsly? Secondly, here’s what I said when he was called up, “Serious question: Hellmann’s, Miracle Whip, Kewpie, Duke’s or Coby? So, Coby Mayo has boku power. Looks like a 40-homer power hitter in most parks, prolly 30-ish homers in Camden. Maybe they can move the fences in again for next year. I’m not being facetious when I say I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s up for only a week or two or platoons. There’s a very real chance the O’s want to keep his at-bats below the rookie threshold so he can win them an extra draft pick next year if he wins Rookie of the Year. It’s a remote possibility, but I just want to give it to you. With that said, I would grab him everywhere. Mayo could possibly be a difference maker for power and that BLT.” And that’s me quoting me! Thirdly, there’s no thirdly. Fourthly, Itch said about him coming into this year, “The first time I saw Coby Mayo, he reminded me of Ryan Braun. It was the hip snap, which is immediate and drool-inducing for a baseball junkie. The left field fence is a long way away in Baltimore, but the 6’5” 230 lb officer and a gentleman will be able to clear it on the regular. Across two levels last year, Mayo hit 29 home runs and stole five bases with wRC+ outcomes of 178 in 78 games at Double-A and 127 in 62 games at Triple-A. He’s ready to compete at the major league level, and I’d like to compete in a Most Punches To Grey’s Head competition.” What on earth? So, what can we expect from Coby Mayo for 2025 fantasy baseball?
Coby Mayo fractured his rib on May 17th of this year, so this year was a stinker, huh? Yeah, you might want to hold up on jumping to conclusions. Coby Mayo hit 22 HRs and .287 in Triple-A this year in only 345 ABs. He’s ready to be a Major League power hitter. Now. Not tomorrow. Here’s some clips to make you drool:
Coby Mayo, MLB’s No. 29 prospect, sizzles a 106.6 mph no-doubt homer.
The @Orioles‘ No. 3 prospect is slashing .367/.387/.700 through his first six games with the @NorfolkTides: pic.twitter.com/zV1qkWzVzN
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 5, 2024
That’s insane power. He could dong 40 dingers in Camden.
What a start! @cobymayox gets things going with his sixth home run of the season! 2-0 Tides#RisingTide pic.twitter.com/oNBnLqPbWd
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) April 20, 2024
That’ll be it for the clips, because you know what homers look like, and Coby Mayo hits them. The speed is basically “maybe he steals a few on hit and runs but I wouldn’t count on more than a handful,” but the average might be a real concern. He usually figures out his K% after some time at a level, but I don’t really want a 25-homer, .220 hitter this year with an eye on 2026. That’s not what we’re doing here. We are redraft-focused and, if Mayo can’t get acclimated quickly, then his type of bat is replaceable in most redraft leagues. Think Mayo or, say, Carlos Santana? Not a huge difference if they’re both hitting .225.
Also, I like how many prospects the Orioles have from a real baseball standpoint, but they are jammed-up from the jelly up with guys who could steal ABs. I’d guess Santander is gone, so O’Hearn goes to DH (or Mayo goes to DH), but Gunny, Westburg and Holliday are not disappearing. Mountcastle? He’s gotta eat. Are they so stacked that Mayo only faces lefties? God, I hope not. So, for the O’s lineup, as one might say to your local sandwich artist, hopefully Mayo’s in there somewhere. I love Mayo’s power. Can they trade him to the Yanks who need a 1B and have a great park? No? Okay. If it sounds like I’m lukewarm here, I am, and lukewarm on Mayo is a good way to get botulism. For 2025 fantasy baseball, I’ll give Coby Mayo projections of 29/11/34/.219/2 in 232 ABs with a chance for more power and average.
