Heading into the 2025 MLB Draft, there was a sense of disappointment and frustration about the Seattle Mariners having the third overall pick. While it was a nice surprise to move up through the draft lottery, there was a feeling that the top of this year’s class wasn’t particularly strong.
However, those concerns quickly turned to excitement when the Mariners landed the best pitcher—and arguably the top talent—of the draft, Kade Anderson. With his addition, the rest of the league now has even more reason to be wary of one of the most formidable pitching rotations in baseball.
Mariners fans won’t get to see Anderson in action right away, as the team made the tough but sensible decision to delay his professional debut until next year, given his heavy workload in 2025. However, that doesn’t mean they’re leaving him on the shelf—there’s a clear development plan in place to keep him progressing in the meantime.
Mariners focused on making Kade Anderson stronger
With Anderson done pitching for the season, Mariners’ director of amateur scouting Scott Hunter confirmed that he’ll be heading to the team’s complex in Peoria, Arizona. According to Tim Booth of The Seattle Times, the lefty will be working with the performance staff to focus on adding weight and building strength.
The reasoning behind this is to ensure that when Anderson begins preparing for spring training next year, he’ll be stronger and have improved endurance for his first season of professional baseball. This aligns with part of his SIS scouting report ahead of the draft, as noted by Brandon Tew:
“He throws with a slightly slower, more controlled tempo, but blocks out his lead leg to transfer energy well. While there is no significant uncoiling or unwinding of energy, his delivery is repeatable. With either added mass or even more powerful moves, Anderson could tap into even more velocity.”
Hunter provided some more insight into the Mariners’ approach regarding Anderson. He said: “Getting him some rest to rebuild and be prepared for his first spring training will be the biggest thing for him. Probably going to be the hardest thing for him as well, because it’s his first time without baseball and throwing the ball around. But at some point this, probably, fall or late winter, early spring, he’ll get back on the mound. But for the most part just get himself ready for that first spring.”
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