No. 1 MLB Draft prospect Jason Groome could be back pitching next week

Video: Jason Groome High School Highlights
See footage of Groome from earlier this season.

Jason Groome's wait on the sidelines is expected to a short one, as the No. 1 MLB prospect could be pitching for Barnegat (N.J.) again by the end of April.

The Press of Atlantic City reports that Groome should be eligible for Barnegat's 13th game, which is on April 30 at the Ocean City Tournament.

Groome was ruled ineligible by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association after it was determined that he had not sat out at least 30 days or half of his team's scheduled number of games following a transfer from IMG Academy (Brandeton, Fla.).

Groome had pitched twice for Barnegat, striking out 19 in a no-hitter against Central Regional and fanning 10 in his first start of the season. Both of those games resulted in forfeit losses and Groome's stats were erased due to the ineligibility ruling.

Groome is considered to be the No. 1 prospect selected in the Major League Baseball Draft by several mock drafts.

The NJSIAA has been excoriated by its decision from those such as Groome's advisor Jeff Randazzo, Philadelphia Inquirer writer Phil Anastasia (The Philadelphia Phillies hold the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft) and New Jersey state assemblyman John Burzichelli.

The NJSIAA has stood by its ruling, with spokesman Michael Cherenson stating the organization's reasons behind its ruling in a release to the media. He noted that the rules are clearly stated when it comes to transferring from one school to another and that the ruling is not open to appeal.