CHAZ ROE is enjoying a successful summer on the hill with the Baltimore Orioles.

It was a journey, however, that spanned many years, encompassed countless miles and featured stops with numerous organizations.

At last glance, the former Kentucky prep baseball player of the year (2005) has taken the mound in 35 games, winning four of six decisions. Moreover, he has a fine 3.73 ERA, striking out 38 batters in 41 innings of work.

The 28-year-old has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign in Baltimore.

Although he starred in high school in the Bluegrass State, Roe’s birth is traced back to Steubenville. His parents, Don and Kelly (Hoover) Roe, are both Buckeye North High graduates. Don was a Huskies’ football great, earning a scholarship to the University of Kentucky, starring at linebacker for the Wildcats.

Chaz’s great-uncle is Pittsburgh Pirate legend Bill Mazeroski. His uncle, Jim Hoover, is a teacher-coach at Martins Ferry High. The Roe family moved to Kentucky when Chaz was 2 years old.

The hard-throwing righthander scripted a phenomenal diamond career at Lexington Lafayette High School. In his senior year, he was tabbed the 35th best prospect in the nation. He was chosen in the first round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft by the Colorado Rockies, the 32nd pick overall.

Roe’s ascension to the Major Leagues was a long and arduous one, filled with many twists and turns.

Roe toiled six seasons as a starter in the Rockies’ farm system. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners in December 2010 for infielder Jose Lopez. His stay with the franchise lasted just one year. After posting a 6.59 ERA in 33 games with Seattle’s AAA affiliate, he became a Minor League free agent.

With his career at a crossroads, Roe did some heavy soul-searching, pondering whether to look for a 9-to-5 job, go back to college or try and hook up with another baseball team. As fate would have it, the Laredo (Texas) Lemurs of the independent American Association offered him a spot.

Laredo converted Roe to a reliever for the first time in his career. It was a move that paid immediate dividends. Roe finished the season with a miniscule 1.47 ERA in 49 games. More importantly, the strong showing caught the attention of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who extended him a Minor League contract.

Roe worked his way up the Diamondbacks’ system until making his Major League debut on July 1, 2013. He pitched 22 innings in 21 games with the club the balance of the season, striking out 24 batters. He was 1-0 with a 4.03 ERA.

“It was a great relief once I got the call-up by the Diamondbacks,” Roe noted. “It was a validation of all the hard work and time I put in.

“I thought I proved myself pretty well. It was a lot of fun,” he added. “I knew then that I could pitch at this level.”

Unfortunately, Arizona placed him on waivers after the season, but he was quickly claimed by the Texas Rangers.

The stay in Texas was short-lived as the club designated him for assignment on Jan. 29, 2014. Roe opted to go the free agent route and was signed to a Minor League contract less than a week later by the Miami Marlins.

After a release from Miami, Roe saw some Major League duty with the New York Yankees last season. He pitched in three games but did not get credit for a decision.

His time in the Big Apple ended at season’s end, but he gained renewed life by signing with the Orioles on Dec. 12, 2014.

Roe may finally have found a home in “the Crab Cake Capital of the World.”

“I started this year and pitched well in AAA during the first month to earn a promotion to the big club,” Roe said. “I really enjoy playing for the Orioles. Buck (Showalter) is one of the best and is a players’ coach.

“I am happy with how I have performed in Baltimore this summer,” he continued. “Hopefully, I have proven myself. I feel like I belong in the Orioles’ plans.”

BUBBA’S BITS

COACH JOHN Magistro’s Westerville Central charges improved to 5-0 Friday via a 39-23 win over Canal Winchester. The Warhawks will visit Hilliard Bradley this Friday.

WEST LIBERTY University does a smart thing by playing some Thursday night home football games. It would be a prudent financial move for high schools in the OVAC to do the same. If St. Clairsville and Steubenville can play a monster game on a Thursday night, more schools can follow suit.

I AM in total disagreement with the Browns’ decision to jettison Johnny Manziel back to the bench. Johnny Football needs to play the balance of the season to show whether he is the long-term QB answer.

FRIDAY NIGHT proved a good one for the coaching McLean brothers. Brett led unbeaten St. Clairsville past previously unbeaten Indian Creek. Mac, meanwhile, guided Brooke to a stunning triumph over Wheeling Park. It may serve a program-building win for the once-mighty Bruins.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com