Starting pitcher Kade Anderson 32 on the mound as The LSU Tigers take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in game 1 of the 2025 NCAA Div 1 Super Regional Baseball Championship at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. Saturday, June 7, 2025. SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Here's How Much Money the Seattle Mariners are Reportedly Signing Top Pick For

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Jul 13, 2025 6:46 PM ET

UPDATE: 3:45 p.m. PT: According to Aram Leighton of Just BB Media, the M's are signing Anderson to a bonus of $8.8 million. That comes in slightly underslot, meaning the M's will have a little extra money to play with for the rest of their picks in the top 10 rounds. Seattle entered the draft with more than $17 million to spend in those 10 rounds. By saving a little on Anderson, perhaps they can entice a high school prospect to go pro, rather than go to college.

Hearing the bonus is right around $8.8 million for Kade Anderson, per sources. Mariners would get him for roughly $700k under slot.
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) July 13, 2025

3:25 p.m. PT:

The Seattle Mariners have selected national champion left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson out of LSU with the No. 3 pick in the MLB Draft. Anderson is the highest-drafted Mariners player since Seattle took Mike Zunino out of Florida in 2012.

Anderson led LSU to the National Championship this season, as they swept Coastal Carolina in the College World Series finals. He led the nation in strikeouts with 180 in 119.0 innings. He posted a 12-1 record and a 3.18 ERA.

Coming to a mound near you

With the No. 3 pick in the 2025 #MLBDraft, we’ve selected LHP @KadeAnderson32 out of @LSUbaseball. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/mbHOXcRIXf
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 13, 2025

The ESPN panelists approved of the selection during television coverage of the draft on Sunday night, saying that Anderson may have the highest floor of any player in the draft. There are questions about velocity (93 mph average fastball), but insiders like his four-pitch mix.

Given that he's already pitched in the SEC - and dominated - there's certainly a chance that Anderson could be a fast riser through the M's system. Seattle's top pitching prospect currently is right-hander Ryan Sloan, who is pitching at Single-A Modesto. Seattle hasn't had a regular lefty in its rotation since Marco Gonzales in 2023.

If Anderson is able to rise fast, he could help alleviate concerns about the future of Seattle's rotation. Luis Castillo is a free agent after the 2027 season, as is Logan Gilbert. George Kirby is a free agent after 2028. Might Anderson be ready to take one of their spots eventually?

Seattle Mariners celebrating drafting Kade Anderson.
Happy front office.#Mariners #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/GQmPmdniqs
— Teren Kowatsch (@Teren_Kowatsch) July 13, 2025

The Mariners swept the Detroit Tigers this past weekend to hit the All-Star break at 51-45 overall. They are in second place in the American League West.

This article first appeared on Minor League Baseball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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