Mariners Select LSU Lefty Kade Anderson With 3rd Overall Pick In 2025 MLB Draft
By Jeffrey Nooney, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - In a somewhat shocking turn of events, the consensus number one pick Kade Anderson fell to the Seattle Mariners at pick number three in the 2025 MLB draft and he fell no further. Anderson, a left-handed starting pitcher from LSU, put together a dominate season for the Tigers this season. The 21 year-old pitched to a record of 12-1 and had a 3.18 ERA (42 earned runs in 119.0 innings pitched). In his 119 innings, Kade struck out 180 batters and walked just 35.
Anderson helped lead the LSU Tigers to the 2025 College Baseball World Series championship and earned the College World Series Most Outstanding Player award. In two starts for the Tigers in the tournament, Anderson pitched 16 innings, allowing six hits, seven walks, one run and 17 strikeouts. Kade also pitched a complete game three-hit shutout in the MCWS finals against Coastal Carolina that included ten strikeouts. He is a proven winner and should bring that mentality Seattle, adding to an organization that has a proven track record of developing young arms for eventual MLB success.
Kade Anderson is the most polished prospect available in the draft. He has been viewed as one of the most “MLB Ready” arms in this draft class. There is a real chance he pitches at T-Mobile Park in 2026, if all things go well. He already has four plus pitches in his arsenal. According to MLB Pipeline, On the 20-80 scale, his fastball and changeup grades are at 60, while his curveball and slider grade at 55. His control grades at 60 and he carries a 60 grade overall. For some context, He would be in a tie with Colt Emerson as the highest overall grade in the Mariners farm system with his 60 overall grade.
As I mentioned above, it was surprising that Anderson fell to the Mariners at pick number three. The Washington Nationals had the first selection in the draft and they selected high school shortstop Eli Willits. Last week, the Nationals fired their long-time General Manager Mike Rizzo and their Skipper Dave Martinez. With the fact that they fired their GM a week before the draft, I would have bet the farm that they would have made the safest pick with the number one overall pick. The Los Angeles Angels then surprisingly selected RHP Tyler Bremner out of U.C. Santa Barbra who was ranked 15th overall on MLB Pipeline. Those two surprise picks left the door open for the Mariners to select Anderson, as a large roar erupted from the Seattle war room at T-Mobile Park when it became clear that they’d have the opportunity to select him.
The Mariners Vice President of Amateur Scouting Scott Hunter was also surprised that Kade fell to the Mariners.
“Obviously, extremely excited. We weren’t sure if Kade would get to us this year. There’s a lot of mock drafts that had him going one or two, but really exciting for the organization. Getting a kid with this kind of ability that fits in out pitching culture. Not only is he pitcher, he’s got a mid-90’s fastball and three breaking balls and he really knows how to use them, but its a winning. pedigree, its a winning player. We are extremely excited to put him in our culture and pitching programs.”
According to MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer, the Mariners have already agreed to terms with Kade Anderson on his first professional deal. His signing bonus will be $8.8 million, about $700k below slot value, allowing Seattle to have some extra money to be able to sign picks later in this draft. Unlike other leagues, each pick in the MLB draft has a “slot value” attached to it, and each team has a set about of money they are able to use to sign their drafted players. There are games played by teams to try and select a “less talented” player in the first round, then try and use the extra money to entice a high school player to sign with them and forego college. Last year, the Mariners selected switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijnjte with their first round pick, but were able to draft and sign Ryan Sloan in the second round, convincing him to forego college and rather develop him throughout their minor league system.
Seattle has three more picks tonight before the break. They have the 35th (CB-A) pick, 57th pick (Second round) and 91st pick (Third round). Rounds four through 20 will be held tomorrow starting at 8:30 AM PDT. Circling Seattle Sports will have the coverage for all Mariners draft picks this season.
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Check out our previous Seattle Mariners articles here.
Check out our previous articles with writing by Jeffrey Nooney here. Check out his previous work with Sodo Mojo by clicking here.
Cover photo by Eddie Kelly/ProLook photos
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