Former Barnegat High School ace left-handed pitcher Jason Groome received a lofty ranking from MLB.com.
Concerns about his character led former Barnegat High School pitcher Jason Groome to fall to 12th in last June’s Major League Baseball Draft. There is no anxiety about his talent, however.
Groom, who was taken in the 12th round by the Boston Red Sox, was named the No. 2 left-handed pitching prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com.
Groome, 18, a 6-foot-5, 225-pounder with a fastball in the mid-90s and major-league ready curveball, is ranked only behind Josh Hader of the Milwaukee Brewers. Hader, who will be 23 in April. Hader was originally selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 19th round of the 2012 draft.
In its analysis of Groome, MLB.com wrote:
"The phenom from southern New Jersey slid a bit in the 2016 Draft because of some off-the-field and signability concerns. Groome will get his pro career started in earnest this year after dipping his toes in with 6 2/3 innings last season. He still has perhaps the best combination of stuff, upside and command of any arm in his class."
Groome, who was considered the No. 1 prospect in the entire draft until his stock started to tumble in June, is ranked ahead of Oakland prospect A.J. Puk, who was taken six spots ahead of Groome out of the University of Florida.
Groome didn’t make his minor league debut until August. He allowed one run in 4 innings for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and one run in 2 2/3 innings for the Lowell Spinners of the New York-Penn League. He struck out 10 in 6 2/3 innings.
Groome, who has been compared to Clayton Kershaw of the Dodger, was mentioned in trade talks much of the winter, but remained with the Red Sox.
Joe Zedalis may be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.