Red Sox Pick Jason Groome, High School Pitcher, 12th In 2016 MLB Draft

The Boston Red Sox just bolstered their organizational pitching depth.

The Red Sox selected left-handed pitcher Jason Groome out of Barnegat High School in New Jersey with the 12th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. Groome, 17, has been one of the most highly touted prospects in this draft class and was rumored to be going as high as No. 1 overall.

The 6-foot-6 southpaw throws a 96-mph fastball and once tossed a no-hitter with 19 strikeouts.

Learn more about Groome in the scouting video from MLB.com below.

[mlbvideo id=”532381283″ width=”640″ height=”360″ /]

Groome previously was committed to Vanderbilt University — Red Sox ace David Price’s alma mater — but reportedly decommitted and instead opted for Chipola College, a junior college in Florida. That’s significant because if Groome doesn’t receive the money he wants in a contract, he can go play for Chipola and re-enter the draft next year.

The Red Sox will make one more pick Thursday, the 51st overall selection in the second round.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@RedSox