2 slam dunks and 2 major questions for Mariners after Day 1 of MLB Draft

Heading into Day 1 of the MLB Draft, the Seattle Mariners held one of the most coveted positions on the board with the third overall pick. With a class not necessarily known to be loaded, Mariners fans were anxious, hopeful, and maybe even a little nervous about which direction the front office would go. But few could’ve predicted the way the draft unfolded.

After the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels made their selections at No. 1 and No. 2, Seattle was suddenly staring at a gift: Kade Anderson and Ethan Holliday were both still on the board. Holliday — once considered a lock to go No. 1 — was reportedly off Seattle’s radar, but the dream scenario had come true. Anderson, widely regarded as the best pitcher in the class, had slipped into their lap. The Mariners didn’t flinch. They pounced. Thank you, Los Angeles.

But that was just the beginning. Seattle made four selections across the first three rounds on opening night, including a Competitive Balance Round A pick. Let’s break it down: two picks that feel like absolute slam dunks — and two that leave us with big questions moving forward.

Mariners draft day slam dunks

No. 3 Overall Pick – LHP Kade Anderson

Sometimes the draft board breaks your way in the most beautiful way possible. Anderson checks every box. A 6-foot-2 left-hander with a bulldog mentality, he led all of NCAA Division I in strikeouts this season, racking up a jaw-dropping 145 Ks in just 89 innings heading into the conference tournaments. His fastball plays in the mid-to-upper 90s with life, and he pairs it with hammer breaking balls and a refined changeup. But beyond the raw stuff, Anderson’s polish and command already look pro-ready.

Now drop that kind of arm into a Mariners pitching development system that has churned out Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo, and it’s hard not to dream big. Anderson isn’t just a win for the present; he’s a potential franchise anchor coming to T-Mobile Park in the next few years. The Mariners got their guy.

No. 57 Overall Pick – SS Nick Becker

The Mariners doubled down on a proven formula — and you can’t fault them for it. With their second-round pick, they grabbed prep shortstop Nick Becker out of Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey, a 6-foot-4, right-handed hitter with elite bat-to-ball skills and projection left to tap into.

Becker is polished in the box, already showing the ability to find the barrel and adjust mid-at-bat — traits that scream advanced hitter for his age. And as his frame fills out, it’s easy to envision 20 home run power unlocking over time. What makes this pick even more intriguing is how it mirrors Seattle’s recent successes. Think Cole Young. Think Colt Emerson. The Mariners are quietly building a pipeline of high-contact, high-IQ infielders with real offensive upside — and Becker fits the mold perfectly.

Call it a rinse-and-repeat strategy, but when you’re finding future stars with this blueprint, why fix what isn’t broken?

Mariners picks that raise major questions

No. 35 Overall Pick – C Luke Stevenson

This isn’t a knock on the player — far from it. Luke Stevenson is one of the most intriguing college catchers in the draft, and landing him at No. 35 is great value. He’s got legitimate juice in his bat, and while there are some swing-and-miss concerns, the Mariners have shown they can refine catchers with raw power. Just ask the Mariners current backstop who’s leading the league in home runs.

But here’s the wrinkle: Stevenson could move quickly. He’s polished, he’s coming out of a strong college program, and he profiles as a potential big-league contributor in a couple years. So… what does that mean for Harry Ford?

Ford remains one of the top prospects in the system — an athletic, high-upside catcher with on-base skills and leadership traits the Mariners have been touting for years. But the clock is ticking. Taking Stevenson this high sends a message, intentional or not, that the front office may be open to dealing from a position of depth — especially if it helps net a major bat at the deadline or this offseason. Stevenson’s arrival doesn’t just add talent — it adds pressure, and it could signal a seismic shift in how Seattle views its prized catching prospect.

No. 91 Overall Pick – RHP Griffin Hugus

This one raises eyebrows for a different reason. On the surface, Griffin Hugus has the tools the Mariners love. A lively fastball with arm-side run and a tight slider that misses barrels. The raw stuff is legit. But the question isn’t about the arsenal — it’s about whether he’ll ever command it.

Hugus has battled control issues throughout his amateur career. While there’s been some year-over-year improvement, it’s still a glaring red flag. The most likely projection is a future bullpen piece — potentially in the mold of a Matt Brash type as Hugus throws a really strong slider — but that’s assuming the Mariners can help iron out the inconsistencies.

That’s no small task. For every reliever success story, there are just as many power arms that never put it together. Hugus is an upside play, no doubt — but one that comes with a wide range of outcomes and a significant development hill to climb.