Drew Rom Selected in Fourth Round (#115) of MLB Draft

Highlands Senior Pitcher, Drew Rom, has been selected in the fourth round of Major League Baseball's amateur draft at number 115 overall by the Baltimore Orioles.

Rom originally committed and signed with the University of Michigan to play baseball. He'll now have to decide whether to sign professionally with the Orioles and forego his college eligibility as a Wolverine or play two years of college baseball before trying to improve his draft stock and enter the draft again.

According to MLB.com, the 115 overall pick is slotted to earn a $483,300 signing bonus. If the Orioles want him to sign, they will likely have to overpay from that number.

"The best way I can explain Drew is with this simple quote, 'hard work pays off'," said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Baseball Coach.  "I couldn't be more proud of Drew.  Getting your name called on draft day is a dream for anyone that has ever played baseball.  I am thrilled for Drew, his family and everyone who is excited to see him fulfill his dream."

For the Highlands Baseball team, Rom and company are playing their best baseball of the year.

He is coming off the 9th Regional Tournament, in which he was the MVP, as the team won its fourth straight region title. In the finals against Covington Catholic, Rom came in for relief in the fourth inning, retiring 12 of 13 batters and striking out seven as he recorded the win. He was also 2-for-2 with a home run that tied the game, and was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to get the unconventional walkout win for the Bluebirds.

"I like the pressure that I put on myself. It's just something that I like to go out and do every day," he told Fort Thomas Matters.

In 66.67 inning pitched, Rom is 8-6 with a 2.42 ERA. He has 119 strikeouts and only 20 walks. Opponents are hitting just .190 against him.

Rom is the highest drafted player from Highlands since Eric Glaser was selected in the second round, 69 overall, by the Boston Red Sox.


PHOTO: Bob Jackson. Highlands junior Drew Rom fires to the plate in the game against Beechwood in 2017. Highlands handled St. Henry, 15-1 in five innings to advance to its fifth region championship game in six years that year.