Mariners top pick Kade Anderson throws dazzling live BP

With most of the regulars out of the lineup for the Seattle Mariners’ second Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants, that set up for a most interesting showdown in live batting practice on Field 1 Saturday morning at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Notebook: Mariners prospect ‘stole the show’ in Cactus League opener

The regulars needed to get their at-bats, and scheduled to throw was Kade Anderson, the Mariners’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.

Needless to say, he did not disappoint.

Anderson, who has yet to pitch in a professional game, was throwing his second live BP of the spring. The 21-year-old lefty out of LSU was all business in two innings of work against a lineup that included Rob Refsnyder, Mitch Garver, Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh. He sat at 94 mph on his fastball and mixed all of his pitches while striking out three batters – Raleigh, Refsnyder and Rodríguez – and allowing one walk and no hits.

Anderson saws off Donovan, K’s Raleigh then this. pic.twitter.com/xM9lA1TNUi

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) February 21, 2026

After his first inning of work, the crowd on hand gave him a huge round of applause, which included a few “You the man, Kade!” calls. Not a typical scene on a practice field by any means, but Anderson kept it all in perspective. Work is work.

“Nothing changes,” Anderson said afterward. “I mean, it helps. It gives you a little bit of confidence that my stuff still plays at this level, but I think I’m just focused on one batter at a time, one pitcher at a time, and all that stuff will happen when it happens.”

More of the same from Anderson in inning 2. Sitting 94 w/fb and mixing everything. pic.twitter.com/F2KNcT1lIq

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) February 21, 2026

If there were nerves about facing major leaguers, it did not show. Anderson worked quickly throughout, shaking off his catcher when need be to get to the pitch he desired. Having not pitched in a game since last June, he had been given a break by the organization after his college season and built back up this winter. Less than two weeks into camp, he looks game-ready. Saturday afternoon, it was not a matter of working on pitches.

“Personally, I’m just here to strike out batters,” Anderson said. “Doesn’t matter where I’m at. So just having that mindset of going after and attacking guys is what I’m here to do.”

A big league attitude for a player who hopes to pitch in the bigs this season.

For now, Anderson seems to be set up nicely for his organizational debut when and where it comes.

“I feel better than ever,” he said. “The Mariners have done a really good job of ramping me up for the season, really taking it under control that it’s we’re not in any rush by any means, so we’re able to really ease into the season. It’s been really nice.”

More on the Seattle Mariners

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• Drayer: Mariners give a different first impression this spring
• Salk: Mariners doing one more thing besides ‘draft, develop and trade’
• Why Seattle Mariners’ offense can withstand having less power in ’26

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