The 2010 Major League Baseball First Year Entry Draft is scheduled for June 7th 2010 at 7:00pm EST in Secaucas, New Jersey.

Over the last couple of weeks I have given my draft preview with my top six possible draftees being:

1. Bryce Harper – Catcher – Washington Nationals
2. Manny Machado – Shortstop – Pittsburgh Pirates
3. Drew Pomeranz – Pitcher – Baltimore Orioles
4. Kansas City Royals – Catcher – Yasmani Grandal
5. Cleveland Indians – Outfielder – Michael Choice
6. Arizona Diamondbacks – Pitcher – Jameson Taillon

Today I will preview the number seven pick which is held by the New York Mets.

With the number seven selection I predict that the Mets will choose Florida Gulf Coast left hander Chris Sale.

The 21-year old Sale is a tall, lanky control specialist standing 6’6 weighing 172lbs who features an 89-93 mph fastball with a good low-80s changeup and an above average slider. Sale’s best quality is his ability to throw all three pitches for strikes on a consistent basis, hence the control artist tag.

Sale was previously drafted out of Lakeland High School in the 21st round in the 2007 draft by the Colorado Rockies, opting not to sign and attend Florida Gulf Coast.

In Sale’s freshman year at Florida Gulf Coast he was second on the team with 21 appearances, with only one appearance being a relief showing. He finished the year with a 2-0 record with two saves, throwing 36.1 innings with 46 strikeouts and only nine walks. His earned run average was a solid 3.47 and he held opponents to a .250 batting average being selected to the Freshman All A-Sun team.

Sale really began to impress in his sophomore year appearing in fourteen games, making twelve starts. Sale ended with a 7-4 record with 104 strikeouts in 89.1 innings pitched with an earned run average of 2.72. He recorded at least seven strikeouts per start and struck out 10 or more in three starts. Sale showed his endurance lasting six or more innings in all but one start. He led the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in ERA (2.72), opposing batting average (.246), innings pitched (89.1), and strikeouts (104). He was second in the A-Sun division in ERA and strikeouts while tying for second in wins and finished third in innings pitched. Sale completed his sophomore year tied for 22nd in the NCAA in strikeouts and 32nd in the NCAA in strikeouts per nine innings. He also impressed with his mind as well as athletic ability earning All-Atlantic First Team honors.

In his junior year Sale earned the BFC Outstanding Pitcher Award for the 2009 Cape Cod Baseball League Season after leading the league in strikeouts and innings pitched and was named the top prospect in the Cape Cod League by Baseball America. He earned Louisville Slugger Preseason Second Team All-American honors as selected by the Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

Sale is higher up than I have him in most mock drafts, but with pitchers such as Pomeranz & Taillon available I do not see Sale going to a team starved for farm system pitching until the Mets are ready to select.

The Mets farm system needs pitching and Sale fits the mold of someone who may make it to the number seven pick. If Sale is available I have no doubt the Mets will use this pick to select him.

Sale is polished, has the necessary tools, pitches and control to turn into a Tom Glavine type pitcher if he develops into his full potential, although that comparison is the most drastic prediction I could make.

Mets, you should get your man in Sale at number seven, I suggest you use the pick wisely and take him.

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