Kade Anderson Turns Heads in Mariners Camp - and He’s Just Getting Started
Let’s get one thing straight: Kade Anderson isn’t making the Seattle Mariners’ Opening Day rotation. Not this year.
Not even if the injury bug hits the clubhouse like a monsoon. But that doesn’t mean he’s not making noise - because right now, Anderson is giving the Mariners plenty to think about.
The 21-year-old lefty has barely dipped his toes into spring training action - just a bullpen session and a live batting practice so far - but the early buzz out of Peoria is loud and clear: this kid’s stuff is playing.
The Mariners Are Watching Closely - And Loving What They See
Anderson was the No. 3 overall pick out of LSU last July, and with that kind of draft capital, expectations come baked in. But after logging 119 innings in college, the Mariners opted to shut him down for the remainder of 2025.
No pro debut. Just rest, recovery, and a serious offseason in the weight room.
That decision is already paying dividends.
Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto told reporters that Anderson added 15 to 20 pounds of quality weight this offseason - a major development for a 6-foot-2 pitcher who weighed in at just 175 pounds last summer. The added strength is showing up not just in his frame, but in the way he’s attacking hitters.
“The biggest key for Kade was his offseason in the weight room,” Dipoto said. “It’s the first thing you notice when you see him - until he gets on the mound, and then you notice other things that are really interesting.”
Those “other things” are what have everyone talking.
A Live BP That Felt Anything But Casual
Anderson’s first live BP session of the spring wasn’t just a tune-up - it was a statement. In front of coaches, scouts, and reporters, he punched out Miles Mastrobuoni, Randy Arozarena, and Dominic Canzone in order.
One particular pitch - a 2-0 changeup to Cal Raleigh - had a Mariners coach openly professing his love. That’s not your typical February feedback.
What really stood out wasn’t just the pitch quality, but the intensity. After missing his spot with that changeup, Anderson visibly showed his frustration, taking a walk around the mound to reset. This wasn’t a guy going through the motions - this was a competitor locked in like it was a midseason start.
“He was pitching like it was a start in June,” Dipoto said.
That kind of edge is exactly what you want to see from a young arm trying to climb the ladder.
Tools That Translate
Anderson already had the scouting grades to back up the hype. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the No. 21 prospect in baseball, and that was before his physical gains this offseason. All four of his pitches - fastball, curve, slider, and change - grade out as above average, and if his fastball, which sat 92-94 mph in college, has ticked up with the added strength, the ceiling only gets higher.
He’s not just a guy with good stuff - he’s a pitcher who knows how to use it. That’s a big distinction, and one that could accelerate his timeline.
What Comes Next?
The Mariners have a blueprint here. If they follow the same developmental path they used for Jurrangelo Cijntje - their 2024 first-rounder - then Anderson will likely start the season with High-A Everett. Cijntje didn’t reach Double-A until August, but Anderson might not need that long.
If he keeps checking boxes - and so far, he’s practically sprinting through them - he could follow a more aggressive path: Double-A by June, Triple-A by August, and a possible September call-up if the stars align.
Of course, that last part depends on opportunity. The Mariners’ big league rotation is deep and durable.
Even with injuries last year, the core five - Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, and Bryce Miller - handled the bulk of the starts. There’s no obvious opening right now, and Seattle has been one of the better teams in the league at keeping their pitchers healthy.
But that’s out of Anderson’s control. All he can do is keep delivering - and so far, he’s doing exactly that.
Final Word
It’s early. The Cactus League hasn’t even started.
But Kade Anderson is already making a strong first impression - not just with his stuff, but with his presence. He’s not just showing up.
He’s showing out.
And if this is what he looks like in February, it’s going to be a lot of fun watching where he’s at by the end of the summer.