Tony Mansolino sounds fed up with once-promising Orioles prospect

If not for injuries, regression has been at the center of the Baltimore Orioles' 2025 season. As Tony Mansolino has gone through the motions of his media session during the final month of the season, the interim manager hasn't been shy about talking about all the things that have plagued the campaign. Recently, Mansolino aimed at former Orioles' fourth-round pick Coby Mayo, being brutally honest about what the team needs to see from the once-hyped prospect.

As the Orioles potentially map out their plans for their 2026 roster, Mayo has seen an increased run at first base. Mayo has the potential to check the first base box for the Orioles, and while his glove has looked the part, Mansolino says that isn't the only thing needed.

Coby Mayo’s latest struggles have Orioles manager losing patience

“He's got to hit,” Mansolino said. "You've got to swing the bat. If you're a first baseman, the expectation of offense at first base is very different than the other positions. You're not gonna be a glove-first defender at first. That's not how that position works. I think he's shown signs of that, and I think at some point this kid's really, really going to hit in the big leagues in a lot of ways. Everybody develops at different rates, so once the bat kind of reaches its potential, is the glove good enough to play him there? Without a doubt."

In 280 plate appearances at the Major League level this season, Mayo is slashing .214/.293/.369 with a wRC+ of 87 and nine home runs. In a world where Mayo was hitting for more power, the Orioles likely would be willing to live with the reality of him striking out over 28% of the time. But with the power having yet to arrive at the Major League level, Mayo's bat has looked lifeless for the vast majority of the season.

The silver lining is that Mayo is only 23 years old, and there is still plenty of time for him to turn things around offensively. Look no further than the National League, where Pete Crow-Armstrong looked to be a speedy glove-only outfielder for the Chicago Cubs last season, and this season, has flirted with being a National League MVP candidate while being named to the All-Star team.

The development of a hitter at the Major League level isn't linear, and if the Orioles are going to return to contention in 2026, Mayo turning the corner from his struggles this season would be a key factor.

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