2016 MLB Draft results: Red Sox take high school LHP Jason Groome with No. 12 overall pick

The Boston Red Sox went to the prep ranks with their first pick of the 2016 MLB Draft, selecting left-handed pitcher Jason Groome with the No. 12 overall pick on Thursday night.

Groome was rated by Baseball America in May as the third-best draft prospect this year, and the highest-ranked high school left-hander available. BA praised Groome for his fastball, which sits from 90-94 and has reached 97, and said, “Physically, Groome is as gifted as any player in the class.”

The 6’5 southpaw was at IMG Academy in Florida as a junior but returned home to New Jersey for his senior season, pitching for Barnegat High School. There was some controversy in April when Groome was suspended for 30 days for violating a New Jersey transfer rule, but he has been otherwise untouchable in his senior year, the big man on campus averaging over two strikeouts per inning.

The 12th overall pick has an allotted slot bonus of $3,192,800, which could be enough to lure Groome away from his college commitment. He had originally committed to Vanderbilt, but switched to Chipola College just before the draft. Since Chipola is a junior college, Groome would only need to stay for one season if he doesn’t sign with the Red Sox, rather than waiting three years if he went to a university.

However, he doesn’t sound like someone who will be tough to convince to forego college and sign.

“I just want to play professional baseball,” Groome told Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer in May. “I don’t really like school too much. I figure why not start a career earlier than go three years in college.

Our own John Sickels at Minor League Ball was high on Groome:

Talent-wise he stands out as an outstanding prospect, a 6-6 lefty with a smooth delivery and a fastball up to 95-96 MPH; easy low-effort heat, as they say. He has a very impressive curveball. He has a change-up that is very good for a high school pitcher. He has no red flags with his command, his mechanics are about as good as they can be for his size and age, and his pitching instincts are as good as his stuff. There are no concerns about his make-up, either; the suspension thing should be a non-issue.