Mariners make disappointing (and absolutely correct) plans for No. 3 draft pick

Kade Anderson will not pitch in the minor leagues in 2025, and that is a good thing
2025 MLB Draft
2025 MLB Draft | Jamie Squire/GettyImages

After drafting Kade Anderson, the top left-handed pitching prospect in the 2025 MLB draft according to MLB Pipeline, the Seattle Mariners have made a dissapointing announcement: Anderson will not be making his professional debut until 2026.

As per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, the decision was announced by Mariners VP of amateur scouting Scott Hunter, who said due to the No. 3 pick's high volume of work at LSU this spring, he will not pitch again in 2025.

While this might be initially disappointing for fans who want to see the third overall pick in action, it is probably a good thing for the team long-term.

The Mariners make a tough, but right choice with Kade Anderson

Anderson has already seen a much heavier workload in 2025 than in 2024, and Seattle wants to take things slow with its prized new prospect. The southpaw had Tommy John surgery in 2022 as a high school junior, and threw only 38.1 innings his freshman year of college in 2024 after missing the 2023 season.

He ramped up to throw 119 innings for the Tigers in the spring of 2025, leading all of Division-1 college baseball with 180 strikeouts. That was Anderson's largest workload since Tommy John surgery, and it makes sense for the Mariners to give him a break over the rest of the summer.

The good news is that the Mariners have already closed a deal with Anderson, with Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media reporting that his signing bonus is an under-slot figure at $8.8 million. And despite his delayed professional debut, Hunter clearly does not think Anderson is far off from joining the big league club.

A strong statement, indicating that Anderson, 21, could make his minor league debut in High-A or even Double-A in 2026. While 2027 feels more likely for the lefty to make his big league debut, it is good to see the club has confidence in his ability to contribute quickly.

This is a similar path the club has taken with other top pitching prospects. Logan Gilbert, drafted in 2018, did not make his minor league debut until 2019. Bryan Woo made his minor league debut in 2022 after being drafted in 2021. He reached the big leagues a year later in 2023. Last year's first-rounder, Jurrangelo Cijntje, made his debut with High-A Everett in 2025.

Ultimately, the Mariners are letting Anderson develop at a pace that should keep him healthy and fresh. If Anderson is the prospect they think he is, he will be contributing in the major leagues sooner than later, even while making a delayed pro debut.