How can Kade Anderson help Mariners this year? Passan’s take

Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson has gotten off to an incredible start in his first season of pro baseball.

2 things we know, 2 questions we have a month into Mariners’ season

The left-hander has been nearly untouchable through his first four starts with Double-A Arkansas, compiling a 0.48 ERA and 0.70 WHIP over 18 2/3 innings pitched. Over that stretch, Anderson has struck out 30 batters while allowing just nine hits and four walks.

The 2025 No. 3 overall pick’s efforts have included striking out 11 batters over five no-hit innings on April 10 and taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning of his most recent outing on April 24.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk during a conversation on Thursday that Anderson has made one thing clear.

“It’s obvious at this point that he is done with Double-A,” Passan said. “He’s either ready to be promoted or, frankly, I think Kade Anderson’s big-league ready right now.”

Passan doesn’t think the Mariners will pull the trigger on promoting Anderson to the big leagues any time soon, but he does believe the southpaw will have a role in the majors eventually this season. It’s just unclear at this moment exactly what that role will be.

“The closest facsimile I can think of that would be effective and would be helpful is David Price in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Rays,” Passan said.

Price, who went on to be a five-time All-Star and win a Cy Young Award, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft. Tampa Bay called him up in September 2008 and mostly used him in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. He then pitched in relief in five games during the playoffs, posting a 1.58 ERA over 5 2/3 innings.

Passan doesn’t think Anderson’s eventual role with the Mariners this year will be as a member of the starting rotation unless there are injuries. The rotation is already expected to become crowded when Bryce Miller returns from the injured list in mid-May.

“If the rotation stays healthy, they’re still going to be able to find a spot for him to contribute,” Passan said. “And what Kade Anderson is down the stretch for the Mariners, that’s going to be one of the more interesting things I think that we discuss over the summer.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays form 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

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