Is Mahoney a prospect now?

[wildcard]

I asked this question a little while ago and the response was he was too old for Frederick. Now he is tearing up AA pitching. I know he has to do it for while longer but isn't this guy becoming a real threat to be an Oriole in the not too distance future if the keeps playing like this?

Two more homers tonight.

[Moose Milligan]

I was about to start a similar thread. I remember liking his write-ups when we drafted him, kinda bummed that he wasn't panning out.

Seems to be having a hell of a year, though.

[AVencill]

The muscle he put on this past offseason was good muscle and he's really in a groove with the Baysox since joining them. It's funny because Jacob Julius and Mahoney seemed to be having a back-and-forth home run contest as Mahoney's two-homer game topped Julius two-homer game from the other night.

As far as prospect status goes, there's no doubt in my mind that he is a prospect. Joe mentioned to me a few times that this year was a big year for him, and he's making the best of it right now. As long as he's focused at the plate and doesn't chase some bad pitches which he has done this season at times, he's going to hit for average along with the extra-base hits. He's actually one of the better first base products I've seen defensively since I've been covering the Keys.

[Frobby]

If he continues putting up good numbers at Bowie he is definitely a prospect. One of the best stories of 2010 so far.

[Say O!]

Curious as to Tony's take on Mahoney.

Good to hear the comments about defense and speed, as the O's could surely use some more multi-dimensional ballplayers.

[Three Run Homer]

He's playing well at AA at age 23, so in that sense there's no reason he shouldn't be seen as a prospect. He doesn't strike out a lot and he has size and athleticism on his side (he stole a ton of bases last season at Delmarva, so we know he runs very well for a big man). I wonder how scouts would rank his upside relative to Brandon Snyder.

[Tony-OH]

Without a doubt he's a prospect, the only question now is how high of a prospect? The rest of this season will tell us a lot. He's really been a nice story.

[Ruzious]

It always seemed like he got caught up in the back end of a bunch of so-so 1st base prospects, and that he was the one of the bunch that stood out with the combo of athletic ability and odd but intriguing stats.

[Say O!]

Given his size and changing body type, I could certainly see Mahoney as a "late-bloomer," that is, if you would call 23 *old* for a prospect.

[Araqnid]

I think the question is, if he continues to play extremely well, at what point does he surpass Snyder in our ranking of in-house 1B prospects.

[wildcard]

I think the question is, if he continues to play extremely well, at what point does he surpass Snyder in our ranking of in-house 1B prospects.

That would happen at Norfolk. Snyder was very good at Bowie also.

[olehippi]

If Mahoney continues to hit like he has, I wonder if the Orioles would consider bringing him to Baltimore for a look-see in the September call-ups? Who knows, maybe he can make the jump like Markakis did? Mahoney's stats so far are surprisingly close to what Nick's were in 2005.

Or am I being far too optimistic in hoping that the Orioles may have their 1B?

[Jammer7]

You guys know I've been excited about Big Joe for two years now. I took some grief on this board for saying he was a legit prospect and calling for a breakout season this year. It is good to see some of the naysayers from earlier this season have written positive comments about him, even in this thread.

The kid is very athletic and his swing mechanics have come right along. For him, I thought he would have to have better discipline and work the count better so that his raw power would come into play. I do not know how well he throws, but he is athletic enough to even move to a corner OF if needed.

[Miller192]

He's been my darkhorse since 2008.

Just a guy who I think can make it based off of what I've seen with my own eyes at Aberdeen. Never took a look at any of his stats or projections.

However, I used to do the same thing with horses. Bad idea.

[caljr]

Mahoney is tearing it up again tonight. 3-3 with a homerun so far. As of right now, he is hitting .417 in his first 48 at bats at Bowie.