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Let’s take a look at where the MLB Draft Class of 2016 is now

By Joshua Sadlock

TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – SEPTEMBER 16: Boston Red Sox first round draft pick Jason Groome meets with the media before a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston on Sept. 16, 2016. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – SEPTEMBER 16: Boston Red Sox first round draft pick Jason Groome meets with the media before a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston on Sept. 16, 2016. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

12. Boston Red Sox: Jason Groome, LHP, Barnegat HS (NJ)

Many talent evaluators had pegged New Jersey left-hander Jason Groome as the number-one overall talent in the 2016 draft class, but he slipped out of the top-10 over maturity and signability concerns. The Red Sox were more than happy to overlook Groome’s perceived issues and pulled the trigger at 12. Coming out of high school, the 6-foot-6 lefty had a polished delivery, explosive fastball and biting curveball. Both his fastball and curveball were rated as future plus pitches.

Groome has not had any off-field issues since signing, but he has been taken down by an elbow injury. He dealt with elbow and lat soreness in his first professional season, struggled in 2017, his first full professional season, and then missed all of 2018 with Tommy John. Groome was just 3-9 with a 5.69 ERA in 55.1 innings in 2017 but did strike out 11.7 per nine.

The big left-hander has yet to return to the mound this season as he recovers from surgery, and his stock has taken a big hit since being drafted. He is no longer ranked in MLB’s top-100 prospects. Groome’s biggest issue has been throwing strikes consistently and developing a third pitch to complement his deadly fastball-curve combo. He may profile more as a reliever if he cannot get beyond two pitches.

There’s no reason to write Groome off yet. He is a young 20-year-old and will not turn 21 until August. The potential to develop into a frontline starter is still there, and the Red Sox can afford to be patient with him.

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