Romo, 24, was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles after being selected by the Rockies 35th overall in the 2020 MLB draft out of his high school in The Woodlands, Texas. Once ranked as high as the organization’s no. 2 overall prospect, Romo was considered the Rockies’ potential catcher of the future for his advanced defensive skills. Coming out of the draft, MLB Pipeline praised him for his “Gold Glove potential, with excellent hands, plus receiving and blocking skills and an outstanding arm that’s aided even more by his quick release.”
In five minor league seasons he hit .277/.329/.431 with 85 doubles, 14 triples, and 45 home runs.
Romo made his major league debut in 2024 but struggled at the plate. He had just nine hits in 53 plate appearances and drew two walks to 18 strikeouts. He also hit three doubles. Romo also drew criticism an awkward, looping overhand throwing motion back to the mound. The motion was a bad habit he had developed in the Rockies’ farm system.
“I was trying to throw the ball back to the pitcher, and he kept turning his head away,” Romo said. “So it made me very tentative. I didn’t want to hit the guy, didn’t want to hurt him or have the ball get away and an error and runs score, whatever.”
Romo was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque prior to the 2025 season. He suffered a fractured right pinky finger during a minor league spring training game and wasn’t able to join the Isotopes until late May. During this time, Hunter Goodman emerged as the Rockies’ starting catcher. After the Rockies released veteran catcher Jacob Stallings and opted to call up rookie Braxton Fulford, Romo’s future with the organization seemed in doubt.
When rosters expanded in September, the Rockies recalled Romo to the big league roster. However, he received very little playing time. Romo made just three plate appearances—twice as a pinch hitter and once as a defensive substitution—and struck out in all three of them.
The Rockies also announced that right-handed pitcher Anthony Molina was waived and claimed by the Atlanta Braves.
Molina, 23, was originally claimed from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Rule 5 draft prior to the 2024 season and was compared by team scouts to Germán Márquez. He made 35 appearances, including one start, for the Rockies in 2024 while posting a 6.79 ERA with 41 strikeouts.
The Rockies originally intended to use Molina as a starting pitcher in 2025. He made 15 starts with Triple-A Albuquerque, but only one start for the big league squad. His other 16 MLB appearances came out of the bullpen with a 7.27 ERA over 34 2/3 innings.
The Rockies have 38 players on their 40-man roster.
Drew Romo expressed surprise at learning of the move: