Seattle Mariners select LSU LHP Kade Anderson in 2025 MLB Draft

Kade Anderson was one of the best pitchers in college baseball this season, drastically improving his draft stock. All of the hard work has now paid off for him for one moment in Atlanta. Anderson was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners.

LSU wound up winning the national championship this season and Anderson was a massive reason why. Head coach Jay Johnson sent him out there every Friday night against SEC opponents, knowing he had the best pitcher in the ballpark. Anderson finished the year with a 12-1 record, throwing 119.0 innings. His ERA came in a 3.18 with 180 strikeouts and just 35 walks.

Through all of the good, there is not much debate as to which was Anderson’s best performance of the season. He threw a complete game shutout in the College World Series against Coastal Carolina in Game 1 of the College World Series championship series. One day later, Anderson was on the field dogpiling with his teammates.

Now, the goal is to work his way through the minors and eventually do the same with the Big League club. Special pitchers coming out of Baton Rouge are almost becoming routine at this point. Anderson hopes to be the next one.

What MLB Draft analysts are saying about Kade Anderson

Heading into the draft, MLB.com provided a scouting report on Anderson. They also had him as their No. 2 overall prospect, only sitting behind high school shortstop Ethan Holliday. On an 80 grade scale, Anderson was rated as a 60 overall with two pitches tied as his best — the fastball and changeup.

“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,” the scouting report said. “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.”