Groome gets new start in Lowell
LOWELL — Jason Groome will get a 2017 debut do-over when the Lowell Spinners host the Vermont Lake Monsters in the New York-Penn League opener on Monday night at LeLacheur Park.
The Red Sox’ 2016 firstround draft pick (12th overall) was the hot topic during the Spinners’ media day yesterday. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound left-hander is excited about being named the Opening Day starter.
“It is going to be great and I’m excited just because the Lowell fans when I was called up last year never saw me pitch at home,” Groome said. “Hopefully it will be a good crowd and hopefully it will be a win on Opening Day.”
Groome reported to the Gulf Coast League after the draft and was called up to Lowell on Aug. 30 near the end of the Spinners’ record 47-win season. He started two New York-Penn League games, including a postseason appearance at Hudson Valley where he allowed one earned run in 3 1⁄3 innings.
Groome was promoted to Single-A Greenville of the South Atlantic League after spring training this year but his debut on April 10 against Lexington was disastrous. He lasted 1 1⁄3 innings, surrendering 3 nine earned runs on seven hits that included a home run and three walks. Groome made 53 pitches before leaving with a lat muscle strain in his lower back.
Going through rehab and tossing simulated games were new experiences for Groome but he’s now ready to resume his climb in the Red Sox organization.
“It was something wrong in my back and I’m ready to go,” Groome said. “I feel like myself again and that is all I could ask for. I can’t wait to get out there and finally play in a real game. I just see it as me getting my work in and it doesn’t matter where I’m playing as long as I get to compete and help the team I’m with win.”
Groome will perform under the eyes of Spinners manager Iggy Suarez and pitching coach Lance Carter, a 2003 All-Star reliever for Tampa Bay.
“He’s doing real well and he’s made a lot of progress and I look forward to see him go out there competing against a good team here when he starts Monday in the opener and go from there,” Carter said. “For 18 years old he’s much more mature on the mound and doesn’t allow things to bother him when he is out there. He is very composed and effective. That’s a big thing and he competes as well as I’ve seen from a young kid coming through.”
Groome’s repertoire consists of a fastball, curve and changeup. The change remains a work in progress.
“My fastball and curveball are my two best offerings right now and I’m still working on the changeup but it is progressing very well,” Groome said. “Hopefully I can make that a plus pitch by the time this season is over. For sure I think it can be an out pitch.”