FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox left-handed pitcher Jon Lester had just completed his first inning of work during a recent intrasquad game — his final spring training tune-up start — when another southpaw took the mound.

It was last Thursday and all eyes were on Lester, the pitcher who clinched the decisive Game Four of the 2007 World Series for Boston. But it was Nick Hagadone who quickly became the focus of the day.

The Red Sox selected Hagadone, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound intimidating left-hander, with their first pick (a sandwich pick and 55th overall) in last June’s draft. His mound presence was so overwhelming and demonstrative that even Lester was impressed.

“He looked good,” said Lester. “That’s the first time I’ve seen him. He’s young and still learning. He threw a lot of strikes, and whatever his out-pitch was, it was effective and he got a lot of guys out on bad swings. He throws the ball hard and he’s left-handed, which always helps. He looked smooth, like he wasn’t trying to throw 100.”

Still young? Still learning?

Lester, 24, is only two years older than Hagadone. Sure, Lester already has five years pro experience on the rookie, but there are similarities between the two.

Both are from Washington. Both are left-handed and both were top selections by the Red Sox. Lester was Boston’s first choice (57th overall) in the second round of the 2002 draft. And, if everything works out the way the Red Sox hope, both could be a powerful duo in the rotation someday.

Standing off to the side last Thursday, watching with great interest, was Red Sox director of player development Mike Hazen. When asked about Hagadone’s ability, Hazen just smiled with an aura of satisfaction.

“He’s got great stuff and tremendous makeup,” he said. “He works really hard. He’s got pretty advanced stuff for being a college kid.”

When the Red Sox drafted him, Hagadone was a reliever but Boston decided to give him an opportunity in the starting rotation.

“We’re being a little bit careful with innings-total and workload just to start out until we can get a feel for how developed all three of his pitches are, and how efficient he’s going to be in his outings,” added Hazen. “We want to give him every opportunity to start and we’re going to do that this year.”

Like every other young pitcher in the organization, the Red Sox will not rush his development. They want to err on the side of caution and allow him to grow into his new role, so he’ll begin this season at Single A and progress from there.

Watching Hagadone pitch during the intrasquad game would make anyone wonder how the Red Sox were able to select him as the 55th overall player in the 2007 draft. Why wasn’t he chosen higher?

Hazen said the Sox were fortunate to get him because he was a relief pitcher playing in the Northwest part of the country at the University of Washington, not known as a baseball hotbed.

On draft day last June, Hagadone was at home in Seattle surrounded by family and friends, all waiting for the phone call. The draft began and slowly, over a three-hour span, many other players were selected. He began to worry because he thought he would go a lot higher in the draft.

“I did,” he admitted. “Not too much higher, but at least 10 picks. I was getting worried because there were teams I thought I was going to get picked by, but I didn’t. I kept going down, but I had a feeling once I got to the Red Sox [pick] that’s where I would go.”

The Red Sox actually called Hagadone the morning of the draft to tell him the team was interested, and if they had a chance to select him they would.

“It was one of the best days of my life,” he said. “Just getting drafted and knowing I’ll have a chance to play pro baseball. My family was pretty excited and my phone rang off the hook for the next three to four hours.”

He didn’t have long to soak in the excitement, because it was quickly off to Lowell, Mass., where he pitched in A-ball for the Spinners.

When he arrived in Lowell, this fresh-faced kid proved he had the ability to one day be a force at a much higher level. The Red Sox turned him into a starter and in over 10 games he compiled a 0-1 record with a 1.85 ERA. He worked 24 1/3 innings with 33 strikeouts and only eight walks.

It didn’t start off that great, however, as he was trashed in his pro debut, allowing five runs on six hits in just 1 1/3 innings. After that, he set a franchise record with 23 consecutive scoreless innings to finish the short season.

“He’s got tremendous stuff and he’s a hard worker,” said Spinners manager Gary DiSarcina, a former MLB All-Star and 12-year pro. “He just needs to get innings under his belt right now, and work on his changeup a little bit more. His fastball and slider are plus pitches and his change is a work in progress. If he’s going to be a starter, he’s going to need that third pitch. He’s outstanding to be around. He’s a pleasure and he did all his work. He’s a good teammate and a good leader on the team. I really enjoyed my time with him.”

He been a pro for under a year, but Hagadone knows what Red Sox Nation is about. He was able to witness it firsthand last summer when he attended one game at Fenway Park as a fan, and played a game at the storied ballpark with the Spinners as part of the annual Futures at Fenway.

“It’s great,” he said. “It always makes it better when the fans are into the games. It’s unbelievable compared to coming from Seattle where, if they win it’s a big deal, but not like Boston where it’s year-round.”

If he doesn’t know it already, there’s always a lot of hype and anticipation that comes with being a top pick for the Red Sox. By all indications, he’s a quiet and humble kid who doesn’t appear to be bothered by any of the attention he’s getting or will get as he moves up the organizational ladder.

“You can’t pay attention to any of that,” he said. “I just need to focus on doing as well as I can every day.”

His repertoire is a bit thin at this stage of his career. He features a plus fastball, power slider and changeup. When he was a first-team All-Pac-10 reliever for the University of Washington, he could dominate opposing hitters — limiting them to a .235 average — with his 95-mph fastball and devastating slider. But at the pro level his changeup will be a key.

His transition from the collegiate to the professional level has been a smooth so far. This is his first spring training, and he’s been impressive, while exuding a ton of confidence on the mound.

“It’s been going really well,” said Hagadone. “I’m up to four innings now and I’ve been able to throw all my pitches well, and for strikes. I feel great. It’s been good so far. They’ve taken it really slow, which has helped.”

Getting into a new routine as a starter has been a little different for the former reliever, plus playing every single day has been an adjustment. The best part of being a pro ballplayer just out of college, you don’t have to worry about going to class.

Growing up in Washington, he was a huge Mariners fans with Ken Griffey Jr. and Randy Johnson being his favorite players. That changed when the Red Sox drafted him last June.

“I’ve been a huge fan my whole life,” he said. “I’m still a Mariners fan, except when they play the Red Sox.”

Like any other professional athlete, Hagadone has set goals.

“I want to do well, keep developing and just get better,” he said.

If his outings during spring training in 2008 are any indication, Hagadone will someday be a key member of the Red Sox pitching staff.

“I want to get to Fenway as quick as I can,” he said.

jmcdonal@projo.com