Barnegat High School senior Jason Groome drafted by Boston Red Sox

With the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1998, the Phillies kicked off the 2016 Major League Baseball draft on Thursday night by taking 18-year-old high school outfielder Mickey Moniak (see story).

“We weren’t surprised [that Groome was available]”, said Red Sox amateur scouting director Mike Rickard, citing the unusual variability at the top of a draft that lacked even a consensus No. 1 overall pick.

Barnegat made the state playoffs and Groome’s high school career ended with a 2-1 loss to West Deptford in late May.

“There are other issues with this young man causing him to slide”, MLB Network analyst Dan O’Dowd, the former Rockies general manager, said during the draft coverage.

In March, Groome was the consensus No. 1 prospect in the country, with some feeling the Philadelphia Phillies, owners of the top pick in the draft, might go for the hometown pitcher.

Regardless of where anyone thought he should have gone, Groome has a 97-mph fastball and what many feel is the best curveball among this year’s crop of pitchers.

Chatham will have until July 15 to decide whether or not he will sign with the Red Sox or come back to Boca Raton for his senior season. We have a scout (Ray Fagnant) in there that we’re very, very comfortable with. I actually went golfing to keep my mind off of it.

“I’ve just taken them as my best team”, Groome said. He’s reputed in the industry as someone who likes to have fun, perhaps too much fun at times.

There was a report that Groome’s adviser, Jeff Randazzo, was seeking a signing bonus of no less than $4 million.

“I really didn’t feel that bad because everything happens for a reason”, Groome said on a conference call. “I’m happy. I get to start the next chapter in my life, and that’s playing professional baseball”. “I say the Red Sox should be gambling in the draft a little bit, because they don’t always get the chance”, Mazz continued. “Money doesn’t really matter to me”.

The college junior continues a trend for the Red Sox in this draft, as their first selection, Jason Groome, remains the only high school player they have selected to this point.

Groome said his family is filled with Yankees fans, so he rooted for the Red Sox just to be different.