Orioles' Mayo disappointed by Triple-A demotion: 'It obviously sucks'
Baltimore Orioles prospect Coby Mayo isn't thrilled about being sent back to Triple-A.
"It definitely is difficult," Mayo said, according to MLB.com's Jake Rill. "It obviously sucks because you feel like you've proved everything you needed to. And sometimes it doesn't feel like it's quite enough."
Mayo belted 22 home runs with a .926 OPS in 89 games at Triple-A last season. However, he struggled in a brief MLB stint, mustering just four hits in 41 at-bats after he was called up in August.
"You go back there and if you have success, it's: 'Oh, he's supposed to have success because he's already proven it.' And if he doesn't have success, it’s: 'Oh, well, obviously he's fallen off.' It's kind of a lose-lose going to Norfolk," Mayo said, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner.
Mayo struggled at the plate this spring, posting a .501 OPS with three doubles and three RBIs across 42 at-bats.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde explained why Mayo didn't make the Opening Day roster following the decision.
"That's what happens when you have good teams. Good teams option players that they like," the skipper told MASN's Roch Kubatko. "I thought Coby ended his camp well. We're happy about his performance, especially the last week of spring training and the improvements he's made defensively at both spots."
The 23-year-old is the Orioles' No. 2 prospect and is ranked 14th on MLB.com's list of the top 100 prospects.