Barnegat left handed pitcher Jason Groome was selected in the first round of the MLB Amateur Draft by the Boston Red Sox at #12 overall.  Watch SSZ’s extensive highlights of the newest member of Red Sox Nation

Jason Groome started the spring as the projected #1 overall pick in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.  The left hander from Barnegat High School had plenty of twists and turns on and off the field in his senior season and Thursday night’s draft had a similar storyline.  While Groome might have been disappointed when his name fell down the draft board, there had to be elation when the phone call came from his favorite Major League Baseball team.  The lifelong Red Sox fan will get the chance to be a part of their organization after being selected #12 overall.  Groome told Shore Sports Zone the excitement of receiving a direct message and Twitter follow from current Red Sox pitcher David Price who sent him encouraging words as he was about to go through the process of being under the microscope in his senior season.

Groome’s reaction on his Twitter to being selected by Boston:

Groome left Barnegat High School following his sophomore season to enroll at IMG Academy in Florida.  It was during his junior year down south that he climbed the mock draft boards and became a top MLB prospect.  With an effortless motion that reaches the mid 90s, Groome has a tremendous curveball to go along with his heater.  Jay made the decision to return to Barnegat High School for his senior season to get a chance to play with his teammates and try to bring the Bengals a state championship.  His return to Ocean County brought a circus of MLB scouts and personnel at every one of his starts:

His second start of the season was a stellar performance against Central Regional.  Groome threw a no-hitter facing 19 of the 21 batters he faced.

 

The NJSIAA put a halt to the Groome hype machine when the organization ruled that he needed to sit out 30 days for his transfer back from IMG Academy, even though his family never left Barnegat.  His first two starts including the Central no-hitter were wiped off the record book and Groome was forced to miss two more starts before returning to the Bengals rotation in early May.  Factoring in his two starts that were nullified due to the transfer violation, Groome was 2-3 with a 0.77 ERA striking out 90 and walking 14 batters.

Originally signed to play Division I baseball at Vanderbilt, Groome is now set to have Chipola Junior College in Florida as an option if he does not agree to terms with the Red Sox.  The #12 overall pick is slotted a $3.1 million dollar signing bonus.  Groome becomes the highest ever Shore Conference player selected in the MLB Draft at #12.  Toms River North’s J.M. Gold went #13 overall to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1998.