NEW YORK -- The idea that the Mets will go with a pitcher in the first round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft isn't surprising. New York has
gone to the mound five times with its first pick in the last seven years and because there is a wealth of quality pitchers in the college ranks, this
year's selection should make it an even half-dozen.
New York owns the third pick in the draft, which begins Monday, behind San Diego and Detroit. While the likes of Florida State shortstop Stephen Drew
or Arizona State first baseman-outfielder Jeff Larish are drawing consideration, the pull of a starting pitcher who is talented enough to be in Queens
by the summer of 2005 is just too great an opportunity on which to pass.