Potential Mariners No. 3 draft pick is channeling Paul Skenes in strikeout rampage

In MLB Pipeline's first 2025 mock draft, an LSU starting pitcher was mocked to land with the Seattle Mariners as the No. 3 overall pick. That pitcher's name is Kade Anderson, a hard-throwing lefty who has dominated the SEC with Louisiana State.

At just 20 years old, Anderson has established himself as one of college baseball's most dominant aces. He holds a 3.58 ERA and a 10-1 record in 17 starts. Most impressive are his high strikeout totals. The southpaw struck out 163 batters in 103 innings of work and holds a 5.8 K/BB ratio.

Kade Anderson's stock is rising, and the Mariners may get a shot to draft him

Anderson has been on a heater lately. After striking out 14 batters on April 3rd against Oklahoma, he had gone for at least nine punchouts in seven straight starts before the streak finally ended on Saturday against West Virginia. He surpassed double-digit totals in six of those seven starts.

While he probably will not break Paul Skenes' SEC record mark of 209 strikeouts, Anderson could come close. LSU is in the College Baseball World Series, and if they were to win it all, Anderson could make up to four additional starts. He'd still need to average 15 strikeouts to surpass Skenes, a highly unlikely feat.

Yet even if he does not crack the record, Anderson is still in the midst of a historic season, and analysts are taking notice.

Anderson is currently ranked the No. 3 draft prospect by MLB Pipeline. However, their latest mock draft had him going first overall to the Washington Nationals, with the Mariners missing out. The last LSU pitcher to go No. 1 overall was none other than Skenes, who has since blossomed into one of the league's best pitchers.

It is impossible to predict who the Nationals and Los Angeles Angels will pick in the first two slots, but if Anderson is available, it would be hard for the M's to pass him up. He would be a fantastic addition to their pitching factory. For all the young arms Seattle has, they do have a need for a reliable left-handed starter, something they've lacked since Robbie Ray's injury in early 2023.

If LSU continues its run in the College Baseball World Series, Anderson's stock could continue to climb. He was recently named Sugar Bowl Athlete of the Month by Allstate for his efforts in May. For the Mariners' sake, they should hope his stock does not climb too high, and that he'd still be available for them at No. 3 overall.