Passan would call up Mariners prospect Kade Anderson ‘pretty soon’

At this point, there isn’t much else Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson can prove at the Double-A level.

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The No. 3 overall pick in last year’s MLB Draft has dominated the Texas League in 11 starts this season, posting a miniscule 1.13 ERA and 0.66 WHIP with 88 strikeouts to just seven walks over 55 2/3 innings pitched.

Over his past four starts, he hasn’t allowed a run 21 2/3 innings.

Anderson is expected to join the Mariners at some point this season, likely in a bullpen role, to help their push for the postseason. ESPN’s Jeff Passan believes that should happen soon.

“I think I’d probably bring him up pretty soon because I know that he is going to be in the bullpen, because there’s going to be an innings cap coming at some point,” Passan said.

Anderson threw 119 innings during his final season at LSU last year and was shut down by the Mariners after he was drafted and before he ever threw a pitch as a pro. He’s nearly halfway to that innings total this year, although his leash could be a bit longer this season.

As for how long it would take Anderson to switch to a bullpen role? Passan believes he could make the switch immediately, but giving him two weeks to do so would be a more realistic option.

“I think this has been in the card the entire time and the only way we were going to see him in the rotation is if there were injuries,” Passan said.

What can Anderson’s role be?

If Anderson does join the big-league club this season as expected, Passan sees him having a role as a multi-inning reliever like former Cy Young winner David Price had as a rookie with the Tampa Bay Rays down the stretch of the 2008 campaign.

“Having him in as a six-out guy or even a nine-out guy, somebody who can bridge you between the starters and (closer),” Passan said. “Having him as a weapon who you can deploy not every day, I don’t think you you’re running Kade Anderson in back-to-backs unless it’s like absolute crunch time and you’re trying to capture the division and a playoff spot, or if it’s in the postseason – and there aren’t a whole lot of opportunities for back to backs in the postseason.”

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

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