Coby Mayo delivered the biggest hit of his young career on Monday with two on and the Orioles trailing by two. Mayo launched a go-ahead three-run home run in a game that he likely never would have played in if Samuel Basallo felt well enough to go. The Orioles scratched Basallo after the catcher reported some knee soreness, and Craig Albernaz penciled Mayo into the designated hitter slot.
It’s likely not a coincidence that Mayo came up with the big knock in a game where he had little time to think.
The 24-year-old told the MASN broadcast booth that he only found out he was starting about an hour before the first pitch. Mayo admitted that he had not gone through his usual routine, and he pointed to a recent Trea Turner quote about experiencing success after not taking his pregame swings.
Mayo also had the luxury of not pretending to be a third baseman. That may sound a little harsh, but it’s no secret that Mayo remains a work in progress at the hot corner. I haven’t met anyone that thinks learning a defensive position on the fly has helped Mayo at the dish. There’s a considerable probability that the defensive anxiety has contributed to his .165/.230/.311 slash line.
The Orioles have to be aware of this. However, they also know that Mayo has a bat worth saving and that Pete Alonso is under contract for the next five years. Jordan Westburg could very well be lost for the season, and Basallo has already begun to demand at bats when he’s not behind the dish. The only place for Mayo is at third. For better or worse, if he wants at bats, a majority have to come from third base.
I get this. You probably do too. It’s unfortunate for Mayo, but that’s the reality for a former fourth-round pick trying to make it in the majors.
I don’t get how the Orioles could look at the negative impact that Coby Mayo has felt and still feel comfortable asking Jackson Holliday to play third base during his latest rehab assignment. That’s former first-overall pick Jackson Holliday. A 22-year-old that fast tracked his way to the majors before struggling in his first taste of big league action. That’s the guy recovering from a broken hamate bone that has required multiple rehab attempts. That’s the one with all the potential in the world but only a .229/.300/.360 slash line over 209 games.
The Orioles have always valued defensive versatility under Mike Elias. Craig Albernaz reaffirmed this sentiment a few days ago when asked about Holliday getting reps at third. “If you look at our roster, the versatility is something that we need,” Albernaz said. “He has the ability to play second, short and third, so we’ll see what it looks like when it gets on there.”
Baltimore has historically moved prospects all over the diamond. Westburg, Gunnar Henderson and Joey Ortiz used to rotate infield positions like a merry-go-round, but the same cannot be said for Holliday. Baltimore Sun reporter Jacob Calvin Meyer tweeted out last week that Holliday had only logged 18 innings in his pro career at third base.
Holliday went 0-for-4 while playing third base at Norfolk last night. He’s 0-for-10 through his first four games of this rehab stint.
This isn’t the Orioles calling up Manny Machado to play third base in a pennant race. On one hand, Holliday has yet to display anything close to the defensive instincts that Machado possessed as a prospect. I’m not suggesting that Holliday shares Mayo’s defensive shortcomings, but he’s displayed some early limitations at second base and short. Additionally, the O’s appear to be more than one hole away from competing for a playoff spot.
The team could definitely use a permanent solution at third. Blaze Alexander probably does not have the bat to be playing every day. And while Mayo provided a boost on Monday, there’s a costly throwing error for every go-ahead blast. Jeremiah Jackson made 13 appearances at third base last season, but the Orioles clearly do not trust him at third this season.
Holliday still needs to learn how to hit with one less bone in his hand. The hamate bone surgery often robs players of their power for an extended period of time. Holliday, once fully healthy, will still need to adjust to MLB pitching with slightly less pop in the first half.
The Orioles need a solution at third base, and Mayo has yet to seize the opportunity. That being said, he’s not the only option. Henderson has the ability to play third base, and he should be willing to slide over from time to time if it’s what’s best for the team. Holliday could eventually log some time at shortstop (a position he knows) with Henderson manning the hot corner.
Is there a chance that Holliday excels at third? Definitely. Is there a chance that he returns to second next week and this is never discussed again? Absolutely. Is there a chance that this adventure at third has a negative impact on his performance at the plate? Yes. And that’s an outcome that the Orioles cannot afford to see. Baltimore’s defense has been bad, but the offense has been an even bigger disappointment. The Orioles need the best version of Holliday in their lineup as soon as possible.
We’ll never know how Mayo would have developed if the Orioles immediately put him at first base and kept him there. The same can be said for Ryan Mountle. Holliday has already made his way to the big leagues, but he has yet to master major league pitching. He doesn’t need another hurdle in his path.
There’s no reason to throw in the towel, but this team needs more than decent defense at third base to climb back above .500. The Orioles should resist the temptation to tinker with a rehabbing Holliday if it could lead to long-term issues for the former top pick.
