Mariners’ Kade Anderson named MiLB Pitcher of the Year by Baseball America

After putting together one the best minor-league pitching seasons of all time this year, Seattle Mariners left-hander Kade Anderson was named the Minor League Pitcher of the Year by Baseball America on Monday.

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Anderson, the top-ranked pitching prospect in baseball by many publications, was utterly dominate during his 18 starts with Double-A Arkansas in 2026, which was also his first season of pro baseball.

In those 18 starts, Anderson posted a sparkling 1.06 ERA and 0.64 WHIP with a 10-1 record. He struck out 135 batters while walking just 13 and held opponents to a .147 batting average over 93 1/3 innings. Anderson pitched five no-hit innings twice, had 13 scoreless outings and struck out at least nine batters seven times.

That dominant showing helped Anderson earn a spot in this year’s MLB All-Stars Futures Game and eventually a promotion to the major leagues in August.

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There were some ups and downs for the LSU product once he reached the majors, but he ended the year on a high note while posting 10 1/3 innings over his final two starts. Unfortunately for Anderson, his final start was cut short at 3 1/3 innings after he was hit in the left forearm by a 104-mph line drive, but the injury doesn’t appear to be one of long-term concern.

In his seven MLB starts this year, Anderson had a 2-2 record, 3.79 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 32 strikeouts to nine walks over 35 2/3 innings. He pitched seven shutout innings at notoriously hitter friendly Coors Field in Denver during his penultimate outing of the year.

Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft, will maintain rookie eligibility next season since he did not reach 50 innings pitched or 45 days on the active MLB roster in ’26. He figures to be one of the top candidates for American League Rookie of the Year in 2027, which if he achieves the accomplishment would net Seattle a prospect promotive incentive draft pick.

Below is an excerpt of what Baseball American wrote about Anderson.

It is to Anderson’s credit that his 2026 season doesn’t have a singular moment that will linger as its lasting memory. As impressive as he was, he reached double-digits in strikeouts only once—in that hitless second start of the year.

What’s much more memorable is just how often he was in control. It’s that relentless consistency that will serve as the hallmark of one of the best seasons we’ve ever seen from a minor league pitcher.

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