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Orioles’ biggest flop to begin 2026 MLB season

Originally posted on MLB on ClutchPoints
By Dan Fappiano, ClutchPoints | Last updated Apr 9, 2026 2:55 PM ET

Craig Albernaz’s first year as manager of the Baltimore Orioles has gotten out to a 6-6 start. With the roster Baltimore has constructed, they’re expecting a much stronger finish by the end of the season.

The Orioles spent the offseason adding plenty of power to their lineup. First baseman Pete Alonso was the headliner, but Baltimore also acquired outfielder Tyler Ward and infielder Blaze Alexander. But looking at the team’s lineup in full, it’s hard not to notice the level of former top prospects now playing at the major league level.

Baltimore is counting on names such as Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Samuel Basallo and many more hitters to make an impact. Seeing the Orioles elevate that much prospect potential to the major league level is impressive. But ultimately, they must produce once in MLB.

For one player, that has been an immense struggle thus far. The Orioles need infielder Coby Mayo to turn things around for a stronger chance of a deep playoff run.

Coby Mayo struggles to begin 2026

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Through his first 10 games in 2026, Mayo is hitting .133 with an RBI and a stolen bases. The third baseman has appeared in all but two games this season so far, failing to make his impact felt just yet. What makes the slow start more concerning in 2026 is how Mayo performed in 2025.

After getting his first cup of coffee in bigs over 17 games in 2024, the infielder appeared in 85 contests during the 2025 campaign. However, he hit just .217 with 11 home runs, 28 RBIs and three stolen bases. The home runs are nice, but the Orioles are expecting much more. Mayo is now a career .195 hitter with 11 home runs, 29 RBIs and four stolen bases.

For all his major league struggles, Baltimore knows the infielder carries much more potential. He ranked as the second-best prospect in the organization and No. 14 overall in all of baseball, via MLB Pipeline. Over his 435 games at the minor league level, Mayo hit .277 with 90 home runs, 310 RBIs and 26 stolen bases.

When it comes to top prospects, the Orioles have plenty in the infield. That becomes even more true when Jackson Holiday and Jordan Westburg return from the injured list. Mayo will need to earn his spot in the everyday lineup.

Baltimore fully believes that the 24-year-old can turn things around, but he needs to prove himself at the major league level sooner rather than later. If Mayo is able to find himself, the Orioles would have a pivotal bat in their lineup for the foreseeable future. But the first step is Mayo actually proving he can handle major league pitching.

This article first appeared on MLB on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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