Red Sox Draft Lefty Jason Groome, Shortstop C.J. Chatham In MLB Draft
BOSTON (CBS) -- Left-handed pitching prospect Jason Groome grew up in New Jersey rooting for the Boston Red Sox. Now he gets a chance to play for them after the team selected Groome with the 12th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft.
"It's a crazy feeling just hearing my name get called, especially by the Red Sox," Groome told MLB.com. "It was the best experience of my life. It was a dream come true."
In a draft with no clear-cut No. 1 selection, MLBPipeline.com ranked Groome first on their list of the top 200 prospects. Standing 6-foot-6, 17-year-old Groome throws a fastball that has already been clocked in the upper-90s and has plus potential with his curveball and, in particular, his changeup.
In the second round, the Red Sox selected shortstop C.J. Chatham out of Florida Atlantic University with the 51st overall pick, making him the highest selection of any player in the history of the school. Red Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Rikard views Chatham as a "true shortstop" long-term.
The 6-foot-4 Chatham is known right now as a very good contact hitter, but the team feels he can also develop power in his game. Chatham was ranked 63rd on MLBPipeline's top 200.
The MLB Draft continues Friday with rounds 3-10 beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
