A former member of the Boston Red Sox organization is under fire for sports betting violations that occurred during his time in the Red Sox's farm system.
The Red Sox have a long history of dropping the ball when it comes to drafting and developing once-hyped pitching prospects -- which has been highlighted yet again with the biggest Major League Baseball story of June thus far.
"Padres minor league pitcher Jay Groome has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1)," the league announced.
"Betting data shows that from July 22, 2020 through July 24, 2021, Groome placed 32 MLB-related bets. Of those, 24 bets involved the Red Sox major league club, all of which Groome placed while he was assigned to the Red Sox’ High-A affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina. All 24 of Groome’s Red Sox bets were on the final outcome."
Groome was drafted No. 12 overall in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Red Sox, a selection that was highly regarded at the time. The now 25-year-old was expected to become Boston's next homegrown star but after years of injuries and middling results, former Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom traded the left-hander for first baseman Eric Hosmer, infielder Max Ferguson and outfielder Corey Rosier at the 2022 trade deadline.
The Red Sox still have the latter duo in their farm system but the trade has been a net neutral for both sides as none of the players involved have contributed in any meaningful way.
Groome is one of nine pitching prospects drafted by the Red Sox in the first round since 2010. Tanner Houck appears to be the only one living up to the hype -- though Matt Barnes was an instrumental contributor in Boston for a decade after he was moved to the bullpen.
Michael Kopech was part of the package that brought left-hander Chris Sale to Boston but that had little to do with his results and a lot more to do with his incredible ceiling at the time.
As for Groome, he'll have another red flag on his scouting report and for no reason. The southpaw bet $453.74 on MLB game-related bets and lost $433.54 in the process.
