Coby Mayo’s make-or-break year ended up break-and-make

October 9, 2026

Coby Mayo’s 2026 season was a rollercoaster of opportunity and underperformance, beginning with an unexpected opening at third base after Jordan Westburg’s injuries derailed his entire campaign. The Baltimore Orioles had initially planned to rely on Westburg and Ryan Mountcastle at the hot corner, but his back-to-back injuries cleared the path for Mayo—despite widespread skepticism about his defensive capabilities.

Though he started the year as the primary third baseman, Mayo struggled mightily, posting a dismal .190/.260/.376 line through June and failing to inspire confidence with his glove. The Orioles briefly turned to Blaze Alexander, who had shown flashes of promise earlier in the season, before an unfortunate Royals pitcher’s errant pitch sidelined him with a broken hand.

With Mayo’s production stagnant and Alexander out, the Orioles shifted to Christian Encarnación-Strand, a former power-hitting prospect, to stabilize the position for the remainder of the year. Mayo’s season became a study in contrasts: while he finally earned his chance to shine, his inability to deliver at the plate or in the field left fans and critics divided—some vindicated by his struggles, others still hoping for redemption in future at-bats.