DENVER -- The stop-and-start development of switch-hitting catcher Drew Romo, selected by the Rockies 35th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft, will continue -- with the Orioles, who claimed him off waivers on Friday.
The Rockies also waived right-hander Anthony Molina, who went 2-2 with a 6.96 ERA over two seasons after being selected from the Rays in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. He was claimed by the Braves.
Romo, 24, has batted .167 in 19 Major League games over two seasons. His tenure with the Rockies included a rapid rise through the farm system despite a bout with the “yips” on his return throws to the pitcher, a debut in ‘24 and dramatic progress in that area. However, there was little playing opportunity as Hunter Goodman became the first catcher in Rockies history to earn a Silver Slugger Award last season and Braxton Fulford earned Major League time.
Teams are often hesitant to use a high pick on a high school catcher, but Romo’s switch-hitting and the athletic ability he showed at The Woodlands (Texas) High School and with age-group teams in the Team USA program led the Rockies to take him in the pandemic-abbreviated Draft for a $2,095,800 signing bonus. Romo was the Rockies’ second pick that year, behind No. 11 prospect Zac Veen, an outfielder from Port Orange (Fla.) Spruce Creek High School who was selected ninth overall.
“Obviously, I was drafted high as a catcher out of high school, so I knew the expectations,” Romo said. “I’m very thankful to God and the Rockies for giving me the opportunity as well as fulfilling my lifelong dream of playing the big leagues. My mission was to bring them their first World Series.
“Sadly, I couldn’t do that. But I learned a lot and grew as a man and a player. I made lots of relationships and memories. Gonna miss some of it, but I’m even more excited for my future in Baltimore. The mission now is to help them win a World Series any way I can.”
The Rockies selected Molina, 23, two Winter Meetings ago and broke him in as a reliever in ‘24. The plan was to develop him as a starter. In ‘25, he went 1-1 with a 7.27 ERA in 17 Major League games (one start), and 4-5 with a 6.59 ERA in 15 games (all starts) at Triple-A Albuquerque.