MLB Pipeline's new top 100 won't make Mariners fans less patient for Kade Anderson

While the Mariners struggle to find consistent success, it's a different story altogether for the organization's farm system. MLB.com has unveiled their updated Top 100 Prospects, and the M's are second behind the Dodgers (of course), with seven representatives on the list. And leading the way is none other than Kade Anderson.

Anderson was No. 7 in May, but has now moved up to No. 5 and in the process overtaken Colt Emerson as the Mariners' top prospect. The Pirates' Seth Hernandez might still be perceived as having the higher ceiling, but at least for now, the M's confident southpaw is the top-rated pitching prospect in baseball.

As far as we're concerned, this lofty position is well-deserve for Anderson, with him continuing to pitch lights-out in Double-A Arkansas. Among other things, his 1.22 ERA, 99 strikeouts, 0.71 WHIP and .162 opposing team batting average are all best among qualifying pitchers in the Texas League. Let's also keep in mind five of the nine earned runs he has allowed came in one game.

There really is no stopping Anderson at the moment, with him notching another nine strikeouts in his most recent start last Friday. The Mariners knew he was going to be good after drafting him third overall last year, but he's developed faster than most experts predicted.

Which leads to the big question: What happens next?

The path to Kade Anderson's Major League debut with the Mariners is complicated

Clearly, Anderson ran out of things to prove at Double-A a while ago, but as Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reported recently, he's not part of the Mariners' immediate plans. The M's do expect him to contribute in the majors at some point this year, but the timeline for his debut has been complicated by there already being six capable starters. As things stand, it would be difficult to find innings for the lefty, if he was to be called up to Seattle.

As such, in the meantime you would think Anderson has to be sent to Triple-A Tacoma sooner than later, if for no other reason that to see how he performs against better opposition. Although for some context, M's president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto recently said he's never seen anyone dominate like the 21-year-old in Double-A. And last time we checked, Logan Gilbert and George Kirby each only had one appearance in Tacoma before going on to make their Major League debuts.

Fans are quite rightly champing at the bit to see Anderson show his stuff in the majors, but they're going to have to be patient for a little while yet. The situation could change of course, pending an injury and/or trade. However, worst case scenario, expect to see him in Seattle on Sep. 1, when major league rosters expand.

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