MINORS Paul Skenes, Jack Leiter Among 10 Triple-A Statcast Standouts (March 31) BA

[RZNJ]

Coby Mayo, 3B, Orioles

Coby had the second and third hardest hit balls in Triple-A opening weekend, twice topping 111 mph. He had a third 106+ mph batted ball as well. Mayo’s combination of plus power and plus contact skills is special. He’s continuing what he did last season, with a minuscule 9.7% swinging strike percent in the early going, along with an ideal 17 degree launch angle. He won’t be in Triple-A for much longer.
 

Connor Norby, 2B, Orioles

Norby deserves to be on a major league team. He’s seen 52 pitches so far, and has only four whiffs on 27 swings, putting 15 balls in play. His average exit velocity is a tremendous 95.1 mph at an ideal 17.1 degree launch angle, all better than No.1 overall prospect Jackson Holliday. We are clearly not suggesting that Norby is the superior prospect. However it serves to highlight just how good Norby has been in the tiny three-game sample this season, after posting an .886 OPS in Double-A in 2022 and an .842 OPS in Triple-A last season.
 

Chayce McDermott, RHP, Orioles

McDermott flashed a five-pitch arsenal on opening day, building around his 93-94 mph fastball that averaged 19.5 inches of IVB (slower fastballs will have higher IVB numbers since they have more time to move). He struggled with his command, walking five batters, which has been what’s holding him back. It’s a starter’s arsenal, in a starter’s frame. We’ll see if he can tick up in command and force his way into the Baltimore rotation.

 

[Frobby]

Great reports.  Those early data points for Mayo and Norby are mouth-watering.  

[Otter]

Great reports, but Norby is blocked by multiple players at either 2B or LF and Mayo is still working on a position.  Too bad we can't get all these glowing reports on some starting pitcher prospects...I know it's just the first game but looks like McDermott is still having serious control/command issues.  At some point all the coaching, metrics, tinkering have been exhausted and a pitcher is who he is.  I'd guess he has a full year to improve control/command, and if he doesn't then he's in the bullpen next year.

[luismatos4prez]

I'm not infatuated with Norby. People talk like he dominated AAA last year. I'm just scouting the stat line, but he had a 109 wRC+ which is solid but nothing to write home about for a bat-first prospect. Guys like Stowers and Ortiz outhit him. Trade Norby for a RP somewhere.

Mayo, otoh, is a stud. Can't wait for him to be in Baltimore.

[OriolesMagic83]

27 minutes ago, luismatos4prez said:

I'm not infatuated with Norby. People talk like he dominated AAA last year. I'm just scouting the stat line, but he had a 109 wRC+ which is solid but nothing to write home about for a bat-first prospect. Guys like Stowers and Ortiz outhit him. Trade Norby for a RP somewhere.

Mayo, otoh, is a stud. Can't wait for him to be in Baltimore.

Or trade Norby as part of a package for a real SP prospect.  I'll hate if Hall turns into a genuine above average MLB starting pitcher for one year of Burnes, but those are the chances you take.

[Frobby]

On 4/2/2024 at 6:37 PM, luismatos4prez said:

I'm not infatuated with Norby. People talk like he dominated AAA last year. I'm just scouting the stat line, but he had a 109 wRC+ which is solid but nothing to write home about for a bat-first prospect. Guys like Stowers and Ortiz outhit him. Trade Norby for a RP somewhere.

Mayo, otoh, is a stud. Can't wait for him to be in Baltimore.

I don’t think anyone is lumping Mayo and Norby in the same tier of prospects.  But Norby is a solid hitter who might help a team.