LSU pitcher Kade Anderson throws during an NCAA College World Series game against Coastal Carolina on June 21 at Charles Schwab Field. Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

MLB.com Names Favorite Seattle Mariners Pick From 2025 MLB Draft

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Teren Kowatsch | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 3:00 PM ET

The Seattle Mariners had one of the best drafts among the entire MLB, and it started with their top overall selection.

The Mariners drafted Louisiana State (LSU) left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson with the No. 3 overall pick, which was a surprising selection considering many publications had Anderson as the No. 1 player available in the draft.

A recent story from MLB.com's Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo went over the writers' favorite draft selections for all 30 teams. For Seattle, Anderson was listed as the favorite pick.

Here's what Callis, Dykstra and Mayo had to say about the Anderson selection:

Leading up to the Draft, all of the “intel” we were getting is that if Anderson somehow got to the Mariners at No. 3, they would be ecstatic, but it seemed unlikely to happen. Except that it did. It shouldn’t take long for Anderson to join that very solid Mariners big league rotation.

Anderson was the No. 1 player on Seattle's board, and the front office clapped after the Los Angeles Angels, who picked ahead at No. 2, drafted UC Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremner. The Mariners celebrated after announcing their Anderson selection.

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

Anderson posted a 3.18 ERA this season with LSU. He struck out 180 batters in 119 innings across 19 starts and had a 12-1 record. His 180 fanned batters and 119 innings pitched both led NCAA Division I. He helped lead LSU to a national championship and threw a complete game shutout in the NCAA College World Series final against Coastal Carolina. He was the named the NCAA College World Series' Most Outstanding Player.

Mariners vice president of amateur scouting Scott Hunter affirmed the team's belief that Anderson could be a front-line starter in the future. Anderson is considered a top talent and could make his debut as soon as next season.

Related Minor League Baseball stories

MARINERS SIGN TRIO OF UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS: The Mariners signed a pitcher, an infielder and a third baseman following the conclusion of the 2025 MLB Draft. CLICK HERE

MARINERS DOUBLE-A PITCHER JUMPS INTO TEAM'S TOP 30 PROSPECT LIST: Marcelo Perez was included in MLB Pipeline's latest team prospects list after Cole Young's graduation. CLICK HERE

HERE'S WHO MARINERS DRAFTED IN ROUNDS 11-20 IN 2025 MLB DRAFT: The Mariners concluded Day 2 of the draft with a pitcher-heavy focus with their final 10 picks. CLICK HERE

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

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