Ex-Red Sox Prospect Standing Out For Padres In Spring Training; May Crack Starting Rotation

Groome has shined so far in spring for San Diego

One former member of the Boston Red Sox organization is shining elsewhere. 

Boston traded former first-round draft pick Jay Groome to the San Diego Padres in 2022 in exchange for Eric Hosmer, minor leaguers Max Ferguson, and Corey Rosier, and cash considerations. 

The Red Sox drafted Groome with the 12th overall pick in the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft and he made his way to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox before being traded to San Diego. Groome was one of Boston's highest-rated prospects, but injuries altered his early professional career. 

Groome has a fresh start in San Diego and is certainly making the most of it. The 24-year-old made 10 starts for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas after being dealt from Boston and compiled a 3.16 ERA. He has taken another step forward so far in spring training for San Diego and has yet to allow a run in a team-leading 6 2/3 innings pitched. 

The big left-handed hurler has made one start and has come out of the bullpen twice so far this spring. Groome is second on the team so far in strikeouts with seven and has allowed just three hits so far this spring. He has shined so much already, that he has even been named San Diego's top standout prospect of spring training so far by MLB.com. 

If Groome can continue his solid play in spring training he may even be able to earn himself a spot in the team's starting rotation to kick off the 2023 campaign. San Diego will be without the services of hurler Joe Musgrove as he deals with a fractured big toe and if Groome continues to pitch as well as he has, it may be his spot to lose. 

It sounds like shortstop Xander Bogaerts may not be the only former member of the Red Sox taking the field with San Diego in 2023. 

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