Report: Orioles discussed deal in 2017 with Heimlich, a convicted child molester

The Baltimore Orioles reportedly discussed a deal in 2017 with Oregon State left-hander Luke Heimlich, a convicted child molester, multiple sources told Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

A deal for the non-drafted free agent never materialized, but Heimlich - who pleaded guilty to molesting a 6-year-old female family member when he was 15 - is expected to be selected in this year's draft, likely between Rounds 3 and 10, sources told Passan.

Heimlich, now 22, was initially sentenced to 40 weeks in a juvenile detention facility after pleading guilty in 2011 to one count of molestation. But the sentence was suspended following his successful completion of probation and he served no time. In 2012, Heimlich was ordered to register as a Level 1 sex offender in Washington state.

Heimlich recently denied committing the crime in an interview with The New York Times, even though he'd pleaded guilty.

He's emerged as one of the top pitchers in college baseball this year, posting a 2.42 ERA while notching 142 strikeouts over 111 2/3 innings.