Baltimore\u2019s season was practically over. But, for a player hoping to establish himself at the highest level, the steady stream of plate appearances \u2014 and the swell of success that came with it \u2014 could bode well.<\/p>\n
Whether the future for Mayo is in Baltimore or elsewhere as a trade candidate remains to be seen. As the Orioles look to supplement their pitching staff, Mayo\u2019s most valuable contribution to the organization could be as collateral in a trade. He\u2019s an up-and-coming infielder with a bat that holds power potential.<\/p>\n
Despite that possibility hanging over Mayo this winter, he\u2019s firmly in Baltimore\u2019s plans for the time being. At Mayo\u2019s end-of-season meeting, interim manager Tony Mansolino and president of baseball operations Mike Elias underlined the goal for him.<\/p>\n
September\u2019s success was a start; proving himself over 162 games comes next.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want to see me be a mature big leaguer next year, take that next step, really mature into an everyday big leaguer and not a guy who\u2019s just testing the waters, you know?\u201d Mayo said. \u201cThat comes with a lot of hard work, training in the offseason, being uncomfortable. Don\u2019t have an easy day in the offseason.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayo generally doesn\u2019t have an \u201ceasy day\u201d even during the season. Most players are diligent in their pregame work. But as Mayo worked to improve as a first baseman, making the full-time transition from third base, there was not a day when he was absent from the field hours before first pitch.<\/p>\n
Even ahead of day games, when most players condense their prep time and focus on batting cage swings, Mayo put in time with Mansolino and coaches John Mabry and Buck Britton. He picked purposely poor throws, executed grounders that required a flip to a pitcher \u2014 and by the end of the year the work was noticeable.<\/p>\n
Mayo, by his own account, is not a Gold Glove first baseman. But in one season the effort before games helped make him a league-average defender. Perhaps that\u2019s not a glowing endorsement, but it\u2019s a necessary step.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve built a lot of confidence,\u201d Mayo said. \u201cKind of puts me in a good position for the offseason to know that I can do it. A month ago [August], I was struggling a good bit playing every day, and they stuck with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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