Jason Groome, a left-handed fireballer who has a chance to be the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB draft, was ruled ineligible in New Jersey this week, a situation his family advisor calls "a disgrace."
New Jersey's high school sports governing body said that the Barnegat High School senior violated transfer rules after playing at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, last year. According to NJSIAA, Groome's move from Florida back to New Jersey did not constitute a valid change of address in which a parent of guardian moves with the athlete from one public high school to another.
The ruling also means that Barnegat must forfeit the two games in which Groome appeared this season. He won both of his starts, and on Monday he threw a no-hitter, striking out 19. Barnegat is 1-2 in games in which Groome does not appear.
The 6-foot-5, 230 pound pitcher throws a 97 mph fastball, along with a curveball and changeup. He was named the top prospect in the 2016 draft by Baseball America. According to NJ.com, which first reported the story, more than 150 scouts and MLB representatives attended Groome's first start this season, including Phillies general manager Matt Klentak, whose team has the No. 1 pick in the June draft.
Groome's family advisor, Jeff Randazzo, said that the pitcher simply wanted to return to New Jersey to play his senior season with his childhood friends.
"He was not recruited back," the statement read. "He asked to come back!"
The NJSIAA says students violating the rule are ineligible to participate for 30 calendar days or half of the season. Barnegat coach Dan McCoy told NJ.com that Groome could return later this month.
Randazzo said that the Groome family went to the school to ensure that their son's return would not be an issue.
"The NJSIAA has been fully aware of Jason's return home, yet now arbitrarily and unilaterally decides to impose and enforce the so-called 'transfer rule' three weeks into the baseball season?" Randazzo said in the statement.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.