Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

Following Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2022 as a junior in high school, Anderson didn’t pitch again until his freshman year at Louisiana State, where he worked his way back as a mid-week starter and weekend reliever. To say he took a huge leap forward as a Draft-eligible sophomore would be a huge understatement, as the lefty became the best pitcher in college baseball, led the Tigers to a title and earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the College World Series. After topping all Division I arms with 180 strikeouts in 119 innings and finishing third with 12 wins, he was in conversations to go No. 1 overall right up until the start of the 2025 Draft. He ended up at No. 3, and the Mariners signed him for $8.8 million.

While Anderson might not light up the radar gun as much as some, sitting in the 92-94 mph range and topping out at 97 mph with his fastball, the pitch plays up because of its excellent carry up in the zone. He has two distinct breaking balls, now focusing more on a high-spin mid-80s slider that flashes plus over his older upper-70s downer curve. His mid-80s changeup has good fade and sink to it, and he used it more frequently as a sophomore.

The 6-foot-2 left-hander is athletic on the mound, repeating his delivery well with a quick arm and filling up the strike zone. There’s projection in his more slender frame, with the Mariners having a very good track record of teasing out more velocity with their pitching prospects. He could move quickly thanks to his advanced pitchability, and if his stuff keeps improving, he could evolve into a frontline starter.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

Anderson had Tommy John surgery in April 2022 and missed his Louisiana high school senior season the following spring. Louisiana State eased him back into action last year as a mid-week starter and weekend reliever before he became the best pitcher in college baseball and a contender to go No. 1 overall in 2025. He led the Tigers to the national championship and won Most Outstanding Player accolades at the Men's College World Series after allowing one run in 17 innings over two starts, including a 1-0 shutout in the finals. He led NCAA Division I with 180 strikeouts in 119 innings and finished third with 12 victories. The Mariners were thrilled he was still available at No. 3 overall, and they signed him for $8.8 million, $700K under slot.

Anderson's fastball plays much better than its velocity (sitting 92-94 mph, touching 97) because it carries past bats up in the strike zone. He used an upper-70s downer curveball as his main breaking pitch as a freshman but now favors a high-spin mid-80s slider that has the makings of a plus offering. He also employs a mid-80s changeup with fade and sink that has become a true weapon as he has used it more often.

With a quick arm and athletic delivery, Anderson provides plenty of strikes. There's still projection remaining in his slender 6-foot-2 frame, and his uptick in stuff this spring could make him a frontline starter. He also comes with a high floor as a lefty with four effective offerings and pitchability.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55 | Overall: 60

Anderson had Tommy John surgery in April 2022 and missed his Louisiana high school senior season the following spring. Louisiana State eased him back into action last year as a midweek starter and weekend reliever before he became the best pitcher in college baseball and the possible No. 1 overall pick in 2025. He led the Tigers to the national championship, won Most Outstanding Player accolades at the College World Series after allowing one run in 17 innings over two starts, including a 1-0 shutout in the finals. He led NCAA Division I with 180 strikeouts in 119 innings and finished third with 12 victories.

Anderson's fastball plays much better than its velocity (sitting 92-94 mph, touching 97) because it carries past bats up in the strike zone. He used an upper-70s downer curveball as his main breaking pitch as a freshman but now favors a high-spin mid-80s slider that has the makings of a plus offering. He also employs a mid-80s changeup with fade and sink that has become a true weapon as he has used it more often.

With a quick arm and athletic delivery, Anderson provides plenty of strikes. There's still projection remaining in his slender 6-foot-2 frame, and his uptick in stuff this spring could make him a frontline starter. He also comes with a high floor as a lefty with four effective offerings and pitchability.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	01/30/2026	Seattle Mariners invited non-roster LHP Kade Anderson to spring training.
	08/08/2025	LHP Kade Anderson assigned to ACL Mariners.
	07/22/2025	Seattle Mariners signed LHP Kade Anderson.
	06/03/2025	LHP Kade Anderson assigned to College Workout.
	01/15/2025	LHP Kade Anderson assigned to Louisiana State Tigers.
	02/10/2024	LHP Kade Anderson assigned to Louisiana State Tigers.