With the No. 3 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Seattle Mariners selected Kade Anderson. Here are a few things to know about the newest member of the Mariners organization:
Southpaw From the Bayou
A 6-foot-2, 179-pound left-handed pitcher from Covington, LA, just north of Lake Pontchartrain, Anderson stayed close to home for college, becoming the ace of the Louisiana State University pitching staff. Anderson, a draft-eligible sophomore who turned 21 on July 6, pitched two seasons for the Tigers and posted an overall record of 16-3. In 2025, Anderson went 12-1 with a 3.18 ERA, carving out a reputation as one of the steadiest arms in this year’s draft. In 119 innings last spring, Anderson struck out 180 batters, which led all NCAA Division I pitchers, while walking just 35, and he was named the 2025 Baseball America National Pitcher of the Year.
Pitchability Over Pure Heat
Anderson made his name not by blowing up radar guns but by picking apart lineups with an impressive arsenal of plus pitches. His fastball lives in the low-to-mid 90s, reaching as high as 97, but it plays up because of late life and pinpoint command. His changeup is his go-to weapon, and he mixes in a tight curve and sharp slider that give him four legit looks to keep hitters off balance. During his two seasons with LSU, Anderson posted a strikeout rate of 13.7 per nine innings, and he made significant improvements in his strikeouts-to-walks ratio from the first year to the second, suggesting that he’s ready to climb the system fast. Scouts love the maturity: the polish is there, the stuff is there, and he knows how to pitch, not just throw, earning comparisons to Max Fried of the New York Yankees.
Big Games, Big Stage, Bigger Composure
If there’s one thing to know about Anderson, it’s that he doesn’t flinch when the lights get bright. He turned in some of the biggest performances of LSU’s title run, including a gutsy College World Series gem against Coastal Carolina. In the first game of the best-of-three Men’s College World Series finals on June 21, Anderson threw only the second complete game of his collegiate career, as LSU beat the Chanticleers 1-0. It was also just the third complete game shutout in the current 22-year era of the MCWS finals. Named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Anderson threw 130 pitches for the win, striking out 10 batters while walking five and hitting two, and he held Coastal Carolina to 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. When the Tigers needed Anderson most, he went deep into games, worked out of jams, showing exactly why teams believe he can anchor an MLB rotation someday.
Stronger After a Setback
Anderson’s path hasn’t been without its potholes. He dominated at St. Paul’s School in Covington, going 28-1 record with a 0.22 ERA and 212 strikeouts, and he also batted .418 with nine home runs. However, Anderson had Tommy John surgery as a junior, forcing him to miss his senior season and ending any chance of being drafted out of high school. However, that year off forced Anderson to rebuild his delivery and refine his approach, and the payoff showed up in 2025: clean mechanics, smooth arm action, and the stamina to pitch deep into games without losing his edge. The surgery is in the rear-view mirror, but the lessons stuck with him: stay patient, trust the process, do the work. That mindset should serve him well as he makes the jump to pro ball.
Roots That Run Deep
Off the field, Anderson is about as Louisiana as it gets. He was an honor-roll student in high school and would be named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll both seasons at LSU. Anderson is a soft-spoken kid with a reputation for being a great teammate and a steady worker — no drama, just baseball. Now, he gets to carry that same hometown grit to the next level, giving fans someone easy to root for and teammates someone easy to follow.
Bottom Line
Every team wants a lefty with a high floor and a chance for more — and that’s exactly what Anderson brings to the table. He’s not the guy throwing 100 mph, but he’s the guy throwing strikes, mixing pitches, and shining when it matters most. If you’re looking for a safe bet to crack the big-league rotation in a few years — and maybe stick there for a long time — the kid from Covington just might be your new favorite Mariners pitcher.
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