Drew Rom

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #26 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: After reaching Triple-A over the final few months of 2022, Rom returned to the level to begin 2023. He made 18 starts with Norfolk before he was traded to the Cardinals as a part of the return for Jack Flaherty. Rom was called up to the majors in Augusta and made seven starts for the Cardinals to close the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Rom mixes three pitches with two fastball variations as well as a sweeper slider and a splitter. His fastball sits 90-91 mph and touches 92 with average ride and cut but plays up due to his above-average feel. Rom shows a two-seam as well in the 89-90 mph range with sink. His primary secondary is a low-80s sweeper that he throws to both righties and lefties and had the highest swinging strike rate in his arsenal. Rom’s splitter is his least-thrown pitch and he needs to do a better job landing it in the zone. Rom is a below-average strike-thrower, but he does a decent job avoiding the middle of the zone.
  
  The Future: Rom is a ready-made up-and-down starter with the ability to handle mop-up duty out of the bullpen.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #24 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Rom was signed away from a commitment to Michigan in the last draft before the Orioles' rebuild began and has benefited from the improved pitching development program that came with it. He spent most of 2022 at Double-A Bowie before a promotion to finish at Triple-A Norfolk, and led the organization with 144 strikeouts while fanning 10.8 batters per nine.
  
  Scouting Report: Rom was consistently in the low-90s with his fastball in 2022, maintaining the gains he made during the pandemic, and he could have an average slider with the potential for an average splitter as well. He is essentially a different pitcher to lefties than righties, though. Against same-side hitters, Rom will drop down and throw sinkers and sliders, where he'll attack more vertically from a higher arm slot against righties. Rom is at his best when he's aggressive in the strike zone, but needs to come into the zone with his secondaries more often to establish the ability to throw those pitches for strikes and force hitters to honor that instead of just assuming they'll tail out of the zone.
  
  The Future: That, and maintaining that low-90s velocity or possibly improving on it, will keep Rom on a back-end rotation track and help him avoid the pitfalls other pitchability lefties in the Orioles system have experienced at the highest level. He could put himself in the major league mix next summer with a strong showing at Norfolk.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 45. Splitter: 50. Control: 50
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #17 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The last in a long line of projectable lefties the Orioles drafted last decade in hopes of them filling out and developing into big league starters, Rom has done that as he’s climbed into the high minors.
  
  Scouting Report: Rom hasn’t yet developed a standout pitch, but a varied mix and precocious pitchability have helped him carve up hitters at every level. His fastball, which sat around 90 mph previously, was up to 94 mph at times late in the season and more consistently sat around 91-93. He experimented with dropping his arm slot against lefties to create different action on his two-seam fastball. His average slider is the best of his secondaries now, though there’s work to be done on differentiating its movement from his fringe-average splitter, changeup and curveball. Rom knows how the pitches play off one another, and pitches backwards while taking advantage of his deception and angles.
  
  The Future: Rom is aware of the challenges that face a finesse lefthander without premium velocity in the majors, but adding to his fastball and learning how to pitch backwards at an early stage keep a No. 5 starter profile in play. He should start back at Double-A Bowie in 2022, with a big league chance in play the following year.
  
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #26 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Rom had a strong commitment to Michigan as Kentucky's Mr. Baseball in 2018, but he signed with the Orioles instead for an above-slot $650,000 bonus. After an all-star debut at low Class A Delmarva in 2019, Rom pitched against former big leaguers in a local developmental league during the summer coronavirus shutdown and finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rom is one of many soft-tossing Orioles lefties whose fastball sits around 90 mph. His athletic frame and delivery give hope his velocity will tick up, but it's currently no more than a fringe-average pitch. Rom's pitch mix was able to keep low-level hitters off balance for elite strikeout rates for a teenager in 2019. He features a curveball, slider and changeup that all have average potential. He is a fringe-average strike-thrower who boasts more control than command at present. The hope is that as Rom matures physically, he could gain more power with his easy delivery and a true out pitch will emerge.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rom will be part of a crowded low-minors rotation mix in the Orioles system in 2021. He'll need to add power to reach his ceiling as a back-end starter.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #15 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Kentucky's Mr. Baseball in 2018 signed for an above-slot bonus of $650,000 and made a sparkling debut at age 19 in the low Class A South Atlantic League. He was a midseason all-star and one of five teenage pitchers in full-season ball to strike out more than 11 batters per nine innings with 11.5.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The projectable but slight lefthander pitches with a fastball that ranges 88-92 mph, depending on the day. His changeup, curveball and slider aren't putaway pitches, but along with futureaverage command of his entire arsenal, there's hope within the Orioles' pitching system that one can emerge as a plus pitch in a group of offerings that currently has average potential. His ability to minimize hard contact and manipulate the ball, plus the fact he has a low-effort delivery with room to grow, allows plenty of room to dream.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rom's growth into a back-end starter will hinge on the continued development of his secondary pitches and consistent command. That process will continue at high Class A Frederick in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #25 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Rom signed for an above-slot $650,000 as a 2018 fourth-rounder to forgo a commitment to Michigan. He got his first taste of the pro game in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he struck out 8.2 per nine innings and dominated lefthanded hitters.
  
  Scouting Report: Rom's fastball sat 89-91 mph ahead of the draft, but dipped down after he signed following a long high school season. What he lacks in fastball velocity, he makes up with bite and shape on a potential plus slider at 77-80 mph, and his split-changeup has above-average potential. The fact Rom has shown velocity before and has a projectable pitcher's frame with room to add muscle and arm strength from a clean, easy three-quarters arm slot should ease his transition into full-season ball.
  
  The Future: Rom has a back-end rotation ceiling, and his slider could play well in relief. He could get a crack at the low Class A Delmarva rotation in 2019.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #187 prospect in 2018 draft
  A Michigan signee who is an outstanding student, Rom has added some good weight and has seen it pay off this spring. He works to both sides of the plate with an 89-91 mph fastball and his potentially above-average slider has sharpened up and gotten harder, jumping from 77-79 mph last summer to 80-82 this spring. If he continues to get stronger and fill out, the still-skinny, 6-foot-2, 180-pound lefty has plenty of potential. Rom is far from a polished product. His slider wavers in quality and his release point can wander. If he gets to Michigan, he could make a pretty immediate impact.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Rom was signed away from a commitment to Michigan in the last draft before the Orioles' rebuild began and has benefited from the improved pitching development program that came with it. He spent most of 2022 at Double-A Bowie before a promotion to finish at Triple-A Norfolk, and led the organization with 144 strikeouts while fanning 10.8 batters per nine.
  
  Scouting Report: Rom was consistently in the low-90s with his fastball in 2022, maintaining the gains he made during the pandemic, and he could have an average slider with the potential for an average splitter as well. He is essentially a different pitcher to lefties than righties, though. Against same-side hitters, Rom will drop down and throw sinkers and sliders, where he'll attack more vertically from a higher arm slot against righties. Rom is at his best when he's aggressive in the strike zone, but needs to come into the zone with his secondaries more often to establish the ability to throw those pitches for strikes and force hitters to honor that instead of just assuming they'll tail out of the zone.
  
  The Future: That, and maintaining that low-90s velocity or possibly improving on it, will keep Rom on a back-end rotation track and help him avoid the pitfalls other pitchability lefties in the Orioles system have experienced at the highest level. He could put himself in the major league mix next summer with a strong showing at Norfolk.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 45. Splitter: 50. Control: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Rom was signed away from a commitment to Michigan in the last draft before the Orioles' rebuild began and has benefited from the improved pitching development program that came with it. He spent most of 2022 at Double-A Bowie before a promotion to finish at Triple-A Norfolk, and led the organization with 144 strikeouts while fanning 10.8 batters per nine.
  
  Scouting Report: Rom was consistently in the low-90s with his fastball in 2022, maintaining the gains he made during the pandemic, and he could have an average slider with the potential for an average splitter as well. He is essentially a different pitcher to lefties than righties, though. Against same-side hitters, Rom will drop down and throw sinkers and sliders, where he'll attack more vertically from a higher arm slot against righties. Rom is at his best when he's aggressive in the strike zone, but needs to come into the zone with his secondaries more often to establish the ability to throw those pitches for strikes and force hitters to honor that instead of just assuming they'll tail out of the zone.
  
  The Future: That, and maintaining that low-90s velocity or possibly improving on it, will keep Rom on a back-end rotation track and help him avoid the pitfalls other pitchability lefties in the Orioles system have experienced at the highest level. He could put himself in the major league mix next summer with a strong showing at Norfolk.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 45. Splitter: 50. Control: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: The last in a long line of projectable lefties the Orioles drafted last decade in hopes of them filling out and developing into big league starters, Rom has done that as he&#39s climbed into the high minors.
  
  Scouting Report: Rom hasn&#39t yet developed a standout pitch, but a varied mix and precocious pitchability have helped him carve up hitters at every level. His fastball, which sat around 90 mph previously, was up to 94 mph at times late in the season and more consistently sat around 91-93. He experimented with dropping his arm slot against lefties to create different action on his two-seam fastball. His average slider is the best of his secondaries now, though there&#39s work to be done on differentiating its movement from his fringe-average splitter, changeup and curveball. Rom knows how the pitches play off one another, and pitches backwards while taking advantage of his deception and angles.
  
  The Future: Rom is aware of the challenges that face a finesse lefthander without premium velocity in the majors, but adding to his fastball and learning how to pitch backwards at an early stage keep a No. 5 starter profile in play. He should start back at Double-A Bowie in 2022, with a big league chance in play the following year.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The last in a long line of projectable lefties the Orioles drafted last decade in hopes of them filling out and developing into big league starters, Rom has done that as he’s climbed into the high minors.
  
  Scouting Report: Rom hasn’t yet developed a standout pitch, but a varied mix and precocious pitchability have helped him carve up hitters at every level. His fastball, which sat around 90 mph previously, was up to 94 mph at times late in the season and more consistently sat around 91-93. He experimented with dropping his arm slot against lefties to create different action on his two-seam fastball. His average slider is the best of his secondaries now, though there’s work to be done on differentiating its movement from his fringe-average splitter, changeup and curveball. Rom knows how the pitches play off one another, and pitches backwards while taking advantage of his deception and angles.
  
  The Future: Rom is aware of the challenges that face a finesse lefthander without premium velocity in the majors, but adding to his fastball and learning how to pitch backwards at an early stage keep a No. 5 starter profile in play. He should start back at Double-A Bowie in 2022, with a big league chance in play the following year.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rom had a strong commitment to Michigan as Kentucky's Mr. Baseball in 2018, but he signed with the Orioles instead for an above-slot $650,000 bonus. After an all-star debut at low Class A Delmarva in 2019, Rom pitched against former big leaguers in a local developmental league during the summer coronavirus shutdown and finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rom is one of many soft-tossing Orioles lefties whose fastball sits around 90 mph. His athletic frame and delivery give hope his velocity will tick up, but it's currently no more than a fringe-average pitch. Rom's pitch mix was able to keep low-level hitters off balance for elite strikeout rates for a teenager in 2019. He features a curveball, slider and changeup that all have average potential. He is a fringe-average strike-thrower who boasts more control than command at present. The hope is that as Rom matures physically, he could gain more power with his easy delivery and a true out pitch will emerge.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rom will be part of a crowded low-minors rotation mix in the Orioles system in 2021. He'll need to add power to reach his ceiling as a back-end starter.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rom had a strong commitment to Michigan as Kentucky's Mr. Baseball in 2018, but he signed with the Orioles instead for an above-slot $650,000 bonus. After an all-star debut at low Class A Delmarva in 2019, Rom pitched against former big leaguers in a local developmental league during the summer coronavirus shutdown and finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rom is one of many soft-tossing Orioles lefties whose fastball sits around 90 mph. His athletic frame and delivery give hope his velocity will tick up, but it's currently no more than a fringe-average pitch. Rom's pitch mix was able to keep low-level hitters off balance for elite strikeout rates for a teenager in 2019. He features a curveball, slider and changeup that all have average potential. He is a fringe-average strike-thrower who boasts more control than command at present. The hope is that as Rom matures physically, he could gain more power with his easy delivery and a true out pitch will emerge.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rom will be part of a crowded low-minors rotation mix in the Orioles system in 2021. He'll need to add power to reach his ceiling as a back-end starter.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rom had a strong commitment to Michigan as Kentucky's Mr. Baseball in 2018, but he signed with the Orioles instead for an above-slot $650,000 bonus. After an all-star debut at low Class A Delmarva in 2019, Rom pitched against former big leaguers in a local developmental league during the summer coronavirus shutdown and finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rom is one of many soft-tossing Orioles lefties whose fastball sits around 90 mph. His athletic frame and delivery give hope his velocity will tick up, but it's currently no more than a fringe-average pitch. Rom's pitch mix was able to keep low-level hitters off balance for elite strikeout rates for a teenager in 2019. He features a curveball, slider and changeup that all have average potential. He is a fringe-average strike-thrower who boasts more control than command at present. The hope is that as Rom matures physically, he could gain more power with his easy delivery and a true out pitch will emerge.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rom will be part of a crowded low-minors rotation mix in the Orioles system in 2021. He'll need to add power to reach his ceiling as a back-end starter.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Kentucky’s Mr. Baseball in 2018 signed for an above-slot bonus of $650,000 and made a sparkling debut at age 19 in the low Class A South Atlantic League. He was a midseason all-star and one of five teenage pitchers in full-season ball to strike out more than 11 batters per nine innings with 11.5.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The projectable but slight lefthander pitches with a fastball that ranges 88-92 mph, depending on the day. His changeup, curveball and slider aren’t putaway pitches, but along with futureaverage command of his entire arsenal, there’s hope within the Orioles’ pitching system that one can emerge as a plus pitch in a group of offerings that currently has average potential. His ability to minimize hard contact and manipulate the ball, plus the fact he has a low-effort delivery with room to grow, allows plenty of room to dream.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rom’s growth into a back-end starter will hinge on the continued development of his secondary pitches and consistent command. That process will continue at high Class A Frederick in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Kentucky's Mr. Baseball in 2018 signed for an above-slot bonus of $650,000 and made a sparkling debut at age 19 in the low Class A South Atlantic League. He was a midseason all-star and one of five teenage pitchers in full-season ball to strike out more than 11 batters per nine innings with 11.5.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The projectable but slight lefthander pitches with a fastball that ranges 88-92 mph, depending on the day. His changeup, curveball and slider aren't putaway pitches, but along with futureaverage command of his entire arsenal, there's hope within the Orioles' pitching system that one can emerge as a plus pitch in a group of offerings that currently has average potential. His ability to minimize hard contact and manipulate the ball, plus the fact he has a low-effort delivery with room to grow, allows plenty of room to dream.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rom's growth into a back-end starter will hinge on the continued development of his secondary pitches and consistent command. That process will continue at high Class A Frederick in 2020.