It was just a simulated game with no umpires, no fielders and against players wearing the same uniform.
But still, Tuesday represented a big step forward for Jason Groome.
The Red Sox' first-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft got a chance to go up against some of the top Red Sox hitting prospects at the upper levels of the club's minor-league system Tuesday, throwing 20 pitches in a simulated game at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.
The outing represented the first chance for Groome -- who missed all of 2018 and most 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery -- to compete in a game situation while spending time as a member of the Red Sox' taxi squad. (The organization had been easing him into action due, with the pitcher having only 20 minor-league starts under his belt.)
Groome acquitted himself well, throwing a fastball that clocked in at 94 mph while facing off with the likes of Jarren Duran and Jeter Downs.
Here are all the pitches the left threw:
Here are all the pitches Jason Groome threw today in his first chance to face batters while living life in the player pool (Thanks to @PawSox Facebook stream) pic.twitter.com/j1WB3oyldJ
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) August 4, 2020To watch the complete two-inning simulated game, which also included an inning from Red Sox reliever Josh Taylor, click here.
