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Jason Groome Tosses 2 Shutout Innings In Pro Debut For Gulf Coast Red Sox

BOSTON (CBS) -- Just as Henry Owens' rough start against the Tigers on Sunday afternoon reminded us that the Red Sox have had a tough time developing pitching over the last decade, Boston's top overall pick is here to provide some hope.

Jason Groome, the 12th overall pick in June, toed the rubber for the first time as a professional on Monday, tossing a pair of shutout innings for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox.

He had a perfect first inning against the Gulf Coast League Rays, finishing his outing with three strikeouts and no walks, allowing one hit in the second inning. The lefty got a pair of swinging strikeouts to end the first inning, needing just 16 pitches to retire the side.

In all, 19 of his 30 pitches went for strikes, with a fastball that ranged between 90 and 95 mph, according to The Boston Globe's Alex Speier. Groome, who will turn 18 on Tuesday, got seven swing and misses on Monday (via Speier), five on fastballs and two on curveballs.

The prospect will next pitch on Saturday, when he is expected to up his workload on the mound.

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