According to ESPN and MLB draft expert Eric Longenhagen, Groome projects to be an exceptional talent:
"“I believe Groome is the most talented player in the entire draft. He has a prototypical major league innings-eater’s build, a graceful, repeatable delivery and exceptional athleticism. He has been into the mid-90s with his fastball and has one of the better curveballs I’ve ever seen from a high school player. The curve projects to plus or better, and there’s enough athleticism and a clean enough arm action that scouts can project an above-average changeup and command as well. That’s a front-end starter’s profile. Groome has fallen this far because high school pitchers are inherently risky and because teams are concerned about his makeup. But this is great value for the Red Sox if they can convince him to sign. This is the complete package, but one that is not without risk. Groome is a teenage boy who throws a baseball really hard, and that on its own presents teams at the top of the draft with a substantial and potentially expensive quandary. Prodigious though he may be, Groome will likely need around four or five years of development before he’s ready to debut. Playing Russian Roulette for half a decade with a very expensive left arm is not something most GMs and scouting directors, whose jobs may depend on the success of such a high pick, are volunteering to do. Teams atop the draft might like the way things set up for them if they take a cheaper, low-risk option instead of Groome and move bonus money around to other picks.“"
ESPN senior writer Keith Law, on the selection of Groome with the 12th pick:
"“This was the pick of the night, and about as good a sign as Red Sox fans can get on the direction of the amateur scouting department under new president Dave Dombrowski. Groome was No. 2 on my board with a case for No. 1, an athletic lefty with a grade-70 curveball and very easy arm action who slipped due to concerns about his character off the field. On the field, he’s as promising as it gets, and the Red Sox should be thrilled to get someone with this kind of upside even though they didn’t have a pick in the top 10. Several teams ahead of them had the chance to take him and passed in favor of good prospects but guys I ranked lower because they lack Groome’s upside.”"
Although “Signability,” was the most frequently cited reason for the descent that may ultimately cost Groome upwards of $6 million, “maturity,” likely a result of the following innocuous blunder, was not without reference.
Next: Suspension