Red Sox pitching prospect Nick Hagadone, the team’s top overall selection in the 2007 draft who entered this year rated the No. 3 prospect in the Red Sox system, will make his 2009 debut with the Single-A Greenville on Saturday, Sox farm director Mike Hazen confirmed. The news was first reported on SoxProspects.com.

Hagadone, who underwent Tommy John surgery last June, has been in Fort Myers thus far this year. The left-hander’s velocity, which peaked in 2008 at 98 mph, has reached as high as 96 mph in his extended spring training assignment, and both his slider and changeup have been sharp in his return.

Hazen said that Hagadone will likely throw two innings and roughly 30-35 pitches for the Drive on Saturday. His innings will be limited going forward this summer, as the Sox want to focus on keeping Hagadone healthy after a year-long rehab process that has gone as well as the Sox could have hoped.

“We just want to keep him healthy, keep him strong. He’s done really well to this point. His stuff has been really good,” said Hazen. “He crushed his rehab. He’s worked as hard as anyone I’ve ever seen…We’re really excited to see him go and pitch. I know he’s excited.”