Kade Anderson, the Mariners’ top pitching prospect, is reportedly getting the call-up to start Saturday’s game, a massive move as the team’s postseason hopes are fading fast after Thursday’s 7-4 loss to Milwaukee. This isn’t just another prospect; this kid is the No. 3 pick from last summer’s draft, and when he steps onto that T-Mobile Park mound, he’ll be the first 2025 draft pick to reach the big leagues.
The Numbers Tell a Wild Story
Seriously, you gotta see Kade Anderson’s minor league stats. This 22-year-old lefty has been absolutely sensational in Double-A this season, pitching to a mind-blowing 1.06 ERA. He’s racked up 135 strikeouts and walked only 13 batters in 93 and one-third innings. That 1.06 ERA isn’t just good, it’s the lowest in the minors among 479 pitchers with at least 70 innings. And his 10.4 K/BB ratio? That’s tops among those 479 pitchers by more than three full points. Just think about that. He didn’t allow a run in 13 of his 18 starts. We’re talking about a polished southpaw with four above-average offerings who sailed through SEC vetting, and the Angels’ decision to pick Tyler Bremner at No. 1 looks like pure luck for us now. Coming into this year, he was ranked the 22nd-best prospect in baseball, the fifth-best pitching prospect, and now? Widely considered the best pitching prospect in the game.
Why This Call-Up Matters Right Now
The M’s are skipping Anderson straight over Triple-A, which makes total sense. The Pacific Coast League is notorious for being hitter-friendly, not the best spot for a young arm like Kade. Right-hander Bryan Woo was originally slated to start Saturday, but it seems like the Mariners will likely push everyone back a day to give the rotation some much needed extra rest, especially after trading away Luis Castillo earlier this year and sometimes using a six-man rotation. This call-up comes at a critical time, and not just for our playoff chances. The timing means Anderson won’t accrue enough service time to exhaust his rookie status this year. That means he’ll be rookie-eligible in 2027 and could be a favorite for AL Rookie of the Year. If he snags that award, the Mariners get a sweet Prospect Promotion Incentive draft pick.
Saturday isn’t just another game, Emerald City. It’s Kade Anderson’s debut, and for a team with postseason hopes fading, it’s a chance to inject some serious magic into this squad. Get ready to see the future of Mariners pitching take the mound at T-Mobile Park. Let’s make some noise!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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