The St. Louis Cardinals had to make some gut-wrenching decisions at this year's trade deadline in order to retool the pitching staff for next season.
Of all the household names the Cardinals traded away, Jack Flaherty's trade to the Baltimore Orioles in return for two top prospects was especially difficult for Cardinals fans to accept.
Fortunately, newly acquired left-handed pitcher Drew Rom dazzled in his debut performance for Triple-A Memphis Wednesday, potentially easing fans' minds.
Rom was lights out against the Triple-A Durham Bulls as he pitched for five innings, allowing only one earned run on one hit with two walks, 10 strikeouts, and notched his first win with a Cardinals affiliate.
As the Orioles' No. 18 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Rom came into St. Louis with high expectations, and it's clear that he's ready to prove his worth after his impressive opening performance.
The 23-year-old still has a lot more left to prove after one solid start but the Cardinals will be keeping a close eye on him as the season winds down.
After losing Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery to the trade deadline, and the impending retirement of Adam Wainright, the Cardinals will be looking to fill holes for next year's rotation.
Rom has yet to have his big league debut but perhaps it may be coming soon if he keeps it up in Memphis.
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