Orioles Claim Will Robertson and Drew Romo Off Waivers

The Baltimore Orioles dipped into the waiver wire to add two intriguing pieces of organizational depth. They claimed outfielder Will Robertson from the Pittsburgh Pirates and catcher Drew Romo from the Colorado Rockies.

These aren’t blockbuster moves, but they say a lot about how Baltimore tries to squeeze value out of every corner of the market. The Orioles look for players who still carry a hint of upside, even if their big league résumés are uneven.

Orioles Capitalize on Waiver Wire to Add Upside Depth

Both Robertson and Romo hit waivers as their former clubs cleared 40-man roster space. That’s the usual late-winter roster shuffle.

Baltimore, now operating with contender expectations, sees this as a low-risk, moderate-reward play. They absorb minimal cost and take a shot at skills that might blossom in the right environment.

Neither player arrives with a guaranteed role. Robertson adds to the outfield depth chart, while Romo gives a boost to the catching pipeline behind one of the game’s premier backstops.

Why Baltimore’s Front Office Targets Waiver Talent

Contenders use the waiver wire as a talent arbitrage tool more than ever. By pouncing on players who’ve lost favor elsewhere, Baltimore can:

Robertson and Romo fit that mold. They won’t block top prospects, but they can steady key positions if injuries or slumps hit.

Will Robertson: Late-Blooming Power Bat in a Crowded Outfield

Robertson, who turns 28 this month, fits the late-bloomer profile. He never had elite prospect buzz, partly thanks to high strikeout rates and an offensive game that took a while to click.

But in 2025, he finally put together the kind of Triple-A season that gets scouts’ attention. He posted a strong .289/.387/.571 slash line with 20 home runs and a sharp 148 wRC+ in Triple-A.

The on-base percentage points to better swing decisions. The slugging shows off the raw power that’s always been tempting with his bat.

Major League Sample Small, Opportunity Even Smaller

Robertson’s big league track record is thin and not impressive, but the sample size is just too small to call it. For now, he’s a power bat who hasn’t shown he can adjust to major league pitching.

Opportunity in Baltimore looks tough. The Orioles already have a crowded outfield with players like Taylor Ward and Tyler O’Neill, so Robertson’s likely fighting for scraps of playing time, probably shuttling between Camden Yards and Triple-A.

One key detail: Robertson still has minor league options. That gives the Orioles flexibility to:

Drew Romo: Defensive-Minded Catcher Trying to Reclaim Prospect Shine

If Robertson’s the late-blooming slugger, Drew Romo is the former top prospect trying to get back on track. The Rockies picked him 35th overall in the 2020 draft, and he entered pro ball with a reputation as a polished defender with enough bat to maybe stick as a regular catcher.

That offensive projection has stalled out. In 2025 at Triple-A, Romo hit just .264/.329/.409 with a 75 wRC+, which is well below league average and raises real questions about his ability to hit at higher levels.

His limited big league chances haven’t gone well either, and his bat lags behind his glove.

Offense Lags, But the Glove and Youth Still Matter

Despite the offensive concerns, Baltimore’s interest in Romo comes from his defensive profile and the fact that he’s still young for a catcher with upper-level experience. He brings:

The Orioles already have Adley Rutschman, one of baseball’s top catchers, and a rising star in Samuel Basallo. Romo’s more of a depth piece than a future star, but that’s not nothing.

Behind a star like Rutschman, you want a catcher who can manage a staff, handle late-game defensive work, and step in if injuries happen. Romo gives them that safety net, and maybe—just maybe—the bat surprises people down the line.

Low-Risk Bets with Real, If Uncertain, Upside

Will Robertson and Drew Romo both land in Baltimore as organizational depth pieces. They could end up with more if things fall into place, but for now, nothing’s guaranteed.

Robertson brings some power potential. Romo’s got youth and solid defense—traits that front offices, especially sharp ones, like to take a shot on.

Here’s the thing: the Orioles aren’t just banking on stars. They know you’ve got to win on the margins, too. So they keep scouring waivers for players with tools and a hint of upside, even if other teams have moved on.

 
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