SATCHEL Paige once said, “Don’t look back – something might be gaining on you.”

For any Met farmhand hopeful of a call-up to the big show, that something is Pat Strange.

The 19-year-old Strange brings some hope to an organiza- tion in need of young arms.

The dilemma for the Amazin’s is how fast they should move up the 6-foot-5 right-hander. Strange, pitching out of Class A St. Lucie, is 9-0 with a 2.48 ERA this season. He has struck out 62 and walked 22 in 65 innings.

“He’s been able to throw all of his pitches for strikes,” said Omar Minaya, the Mets’ assistant GM. “He has a great awareness of both sides of the plate at a young age.”

Strange’s dominance of Florida State League hitters earned him a call-up to Double-A Binghamton for a spot-start against the Portland Sea Dogs this afternoon.

If Strange goes out and pitches a gem, staying in Binghamton isn’t out of the question. Met fans, though, shouldn’t expect to see Strange in the big-leagues any earlier than 2002.

While St. Lucie Manager Dave Engle expects to have Strange back after his one-game stint in Binghamton, he knows Strange is bound to go sooner or later – probably sooner.

“He’s ahead of schedule,” Engle said. “He has the kind of stuff that he’ll be on the fast track.”

According to Engle, Strange’s two best pitches are his 94 mph fastball and his change-up, a pitch that Strange can throw away to both right- and left-handed hitters.

“He’s a fearless kid,” Engle said. “He’s got exceptional control. He’s just been dominant.”

Engle stressed that confidence is Strange’s most valuable asset.

“His confidence is head and shoulders above most guys,” said Engle. “He’s even surprised when he gives up a hit.”

While Strange has the makeup of a staff ace, one worry is his high overhand delivery, which puts stress on a the arm. So far, the Mets haven’t seen anything to concern them.

“You can’t really change a guy too much,” Engle said. “You worry about any pitcher having arm trouble. He’s been a horse, though. No arm trouble whatsoever. He really is a strong kid, and has a linebacker’s mentality.”

In his first full season last year in Class-A Capital City, Strange went 12-5 with a 2.63 ERA, walking 29 while striking out 115 batters in 154 innings.

Strange was a top-rated talent prior to his senior year in high school. After a drop in his velocity his senior year, teams backed off, leaving Strange in the Mets’ lap. Thus far in his pro career, Strange’s fastball has impressed people around the league.

“He’s a very competitive guy with an above-average fastball,” Daytona Cubs Manager Richie Zisk said. Zisk also added, that “barring injury” and with proper development, Strange has a major league future.

But with whom?

The Mets may use Strange as trade bait in a deal for a big bat or an accomplished starting pitcher. Which leads many in the Mets brass wondering: Do you give up a possible future ace for a run at the World Series now?

With every pitch Strange throws, though, he leaves one wondering if he’s the real deal. With every start, it becomes harder not to think about his potential.

Strange already has some people looking back. How long before he passes them?