The Mariners and third overall pick Kade Anderson have already reached an agreement, as Just Baseball Media’s Aram Leighton reports that the two sides have agreed to a deal with a bonus of roughly $8.8MM. That would represent a significantly below-slot signing, as the third pick comes with a slot price of $9,504,400.
Anderson rose to prominence over his two seasons at LSU, particularly in the 2025 season when he emerged as a full-time starter and arguably the best pitcher in college ball. Anderson posted a 3.18 ERA over 119 innings (with a 37.4% strikeout rate and 7.28% walk rate) and was named the most outstanding player of the College World Series as LSU captured their eighth NCAA title.
This breakout made the southpaw one of the top prospects of the 2025 draft class, and the top pitching prospect in the eyes of some evaluators. Kiley McDaniel had Anderson as the best prospect overall on ESPN’s board, while MLB Pipeline had Anderson second, Fangraphs and Keith Law each had the left-hander third, and Baseball America had Anderson fourth in their rankings.
Anderson’s fastball, slider, and curveball each received at least a 55 from Pipeline and Baseball America on the 20-80 scouting scale, and Pipeline’s scouting report also put a 60 grade on Anderson’s changeup. He throws a lot of strikes with all of his pitches, and Anderson’s fastball is usually in the 92-94 range with the occasional top-out up to 97mph, and this relatively modest velocity is enhanced by plenty of movement. Health is a bit of a question, as Anderson underwent a Tommy John surgery in high school and is of around average size at 6’2″ and 179 pounds.
While Anderson doesn’t have a lot of college innings under his belt, it might not take him too long to start knocking on the door for a promotion to the majors. The Mariners are already deep in pitching, and their draft-lottery luck in landing the third pick has now brought a high-level young arm into the organization.
Quickest signing ever. Dang. Is he starting the first game in the second half?
The MLB has already picked him as an injury replacement for the All Star game instead of Christopher Sanchez.
Hahaha. Well played, Mauer
Great signing by Seattle
The second half has already started.
Alright if he’s going underslot the Angels messed up horribly. Great pick and sign by the M’s
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The article literally says he signed for significantly underslot
Which is why I edited my comment three seconds after I posted it.
Bremner is a great pitcher. Rankings reflect a lot of public sentiment rather than tools. Bremner is a great pitcher.
you could say that again
I understand that Bremner is a great pitcher. At least, that’s what I read. Here.
Maybe he would have needed more money from Anaheim and Washington. The angels’ pick wasn’t even in the top ten. Didn’t anderson have another year of eligibility?
I’m guessing Bremner will be closer to $7.8M (the lowest they could offer to a combine prospect).
If Bremmer is the guy they wanted, then they did right by picking him. There is no way he would have still been around when they picked next at #47. Why take someone that you don’t like as much just because he is higher on mock drafts? Going with your own rankings regardless of what Baseball America thinks is a far better strategy.
The Angels clearly go their own way because everyone thought Nolan Schanuel was picked way too high two years ago and yet he was the first player from the draft to make the majors and seems to be doing a pretty good job.
Exactly. Doing exactly what fans would want is following the Colorado model of success. Establishing and getting what your team does well is how LA breaks this weird funk.
You beat me to saying Colorado so I’ll bring out the wisdom of Jerry reinsdorf and the White Sox dynasty of successes
Just pouring salt in the wound.
I blame it all on Dipoto. We need to fire him because Angel fans hate their owner but can’t imagine he put reigns on him. Who to pick who to draft.
With the way he has drafted the last 8 or so years maybe it was Arte’s fault. He had his hand in the cookie jar and was not letting the guy he paid to make picks. Angel fans I know we are competitively at odds but in life should be friends. Put your ego aside and say yes he has done a great job or (if that is too far) a good job. We also have developed our players very good. Dipoto might have taken the sword for Arte but no need in Seattle.
Arte clearly is the problem. Dipoto has won more games and built a vastly superior farm system all while spending significantly less money. Props to him.
My comment was about wanting Anderson in the draft only to see the Angels hand him to a division rival. The below slot bonus is the salt in the wound.
I am not pouring salt on the wound but have a question. My last post was deleted not sure why. Never get an answer if you ask when they are.
Anyway will Angel fans at least entertain the fact they are wrong about Dipoto? He has been great in Seattle and seems to get better. His drafting the last 8+ years has been spot on. Right now Seattle is 60% put together with trades. In 2 years could be over 80% through draft. Our pitching will be incredible. We have a group that will be used as trade bait.
Evans will be valuable Hancock has value if he does well in AAA and gets some time back up in Seattle. Before you jump on me he was bad his first game. Was bad in Chicago when the temp was in the 100s and the 60 mph wind was blowing out. Every pitcher out there struggled that day. Then his last game not sure what happened. Maybe the Cubs game got to him. I still believe he can be a good 4-5 starter.
Back to the true reason for the post. Dipoto has calmed down on his trades and built more through the draft. We have one of the best if not the best farm systems. We have a staff that is as good as anyone’s top 5. Plus multiple ones coming up. The new kid Cintje who pitched 2 or 3 shutout innings. Only saw highlights so far it sure how long he pitched.
He has been great here and maybe since the new GM is not good you can agree it might be the owner and not so much the GM. Dipoto is loved in Seattle and really doesn’t need the approval of Angels fans but maybe blame it on Arte since it has been the same with the guy after him. How long has it been that you have had a GM you are happy with?
I’m on the DiPoto train because I lived through Bavasi and Zduriencik and Dustin Ackley and Justin Smoak and Mike Zunino, and Nick Franklin and Michael Saunders on and on and on. Trader Jerry promptly traded off the cringy players and built a depleted farm system into one of the best in baseball. Ownership has hamstrung his spending, yet he’s built a competitive team. He deserves support to finish the job.
Traded cingy players like Ketel Marte, Freddy Peralta, and Edwin Diaz… all GMZ players. The Geno Suarez trade would be considered the worst in M’s history if not for the whole Varitek/Lowe fiasco.
Dipoto is loved in Seattle? News to me. Maybe I need to stop looking at Mariners fan pages on Facebook lol.
But I do agree that Dipoto has done a fantastic job in Seattle overall
Most people don’t understand that Mariners fans hate the Mariners.
That’s why I became a Mets fan!!!
True
@proton. I don’t think he was talking on crap dipoto. Angels fans know better. Perry has been around 4 drafts. So far he has been alright in the first round this might be the year it changes. Arnold was a slam dunk. I wouldn’t have been mad at Anderson or Doyle either.
Angels are a joke franchise. 18th rated prospect 2nd overall. Not going anywhere until they have a new owner
Nice to have new fans watching mlb. Maybe one day you’ll invest enough time and figure out how mlb draft works
I am well aware how it works. You can make all the under slot excuses you want. They passed on a left handed Skenes and the best player available with multiple MLB family pedigree for a guy nobody had as a top 5 pick
Didn’t read beyond the first sentence because you don’t know how it works.
Tell me how great Sam Bachman is the last time they did this. Congrats on being the only person on earth who has faith in the Angels front office
@amk1920 I like Anderson and think the Angels should have picked him at 2, but he’s definitely not a left handed Skenes. He’s not even the best pitcher selected in the top 10. That would be Hernandez. Anderson is just the one who is probably the most ready to jump into the Majors.
In Seattle he’ll pitch like a #1, but I think he’s more like a #2 or really great #3 pitcher.
I’m glad you trust MLB prospect ratings and assume they never have players rated wrong.
If the Angels went chalk they would be way better off than what they are doing. Perry has to show everyone he knows the secret sauce by going way off board
TBF, Perry has drafted quite well in the first round mostly.
What if hes galaxy braining and gonna hold out for the third pick in next years draft
Angels also deserve credit for consistently drafting in the middle of drafts because they refuse to tank for a couple years. Drafting 12-18 every year makes drafts tougher but they’ve done great recently.
Why would he agree to an under-slot contract?
Weaker year at the top, so a lot of teams might have been doing that. It’s still close to a top all-time bonus. And he gets to be in a system that develops pitchers really well.
‘We’ll take you at number 3 if you agree to this deal’
While I was hoping they would nab Avia Arquette to be the heir apparent to JP, we’ve all learned that you really can’t have enough pitching, and having Anderson available at 3 was certainly fortunate. Good job Jerry and crew. Now go and grab a big bat for the second half of the season (or longer)
I think that job may be Colt Emerson’s.
Or we could extend JP. He seems to really like Seattle and is a key clubhouse presence.
I have read that Mr. Young is quite talented as a SS as well.
From Young’s latest Baseball America scouting report: “The Mariners have emphasized spending time at both middle infield positions for Young, but his true home is likely second base, where his average arm will play.” And Fangraphs: “Young does enough on defense to project as a viable shortstop but not a great one. His hands and exchange are sound, and he stays poised when chaos and caroms force him to improvise, but his arm strength and range are on the fringe on what’s permissible there. He’s a 45-grade glove at short, but he’s plus at second base, where his best attributes are more in line with the demands of the position.”
Emerson’s until Celesten is ready, then Colt to 3B.
Great pic Mariners! With the M’s pitching development and his talent level I have high hopes.
Hi CBBG! Hope all is well!
Love it. Kids ready to go.
I’m so glad we took this guy he should be able to take castillos spot by 2027
Kirby is as good as gone to the east once his control runs out and Gilbert doesn’t have an extension yet…
I think we end up trading George because it’s pretty clear he and the organization are not going to be a fit in negotiations. He’s not going to take any sort of discount to stay on the other side of the country from his family. We will be cheap, he will bail. The draft picks are nice and a lot can change in the next couple years but I think you and I are discussing what most Mariners fans are feeling.
I am not so sure these guys are friends . They spent over a year and a half in AA together. Woo and Cal were teammates. TRight after Cal signed they interviewed Gilbert and he said he hasn’t been approached yet but is willing to sign. He said he couldn’t speak for the others but they are all good friends. They understand how lucky they are to have Cal call balls and strikes. They trust him to call a great game which he does. You would think you would want to pitch for the best C in BB.
The only way I see anyone walking is if Seattle doesn’t want to pay his value because they have a SPer they feel is as good or better. Clitjne is an odd ball. I could see him as a late inning BP piece. How great would it be if we had a guy that could pitch close to the same with both arms later in games? He could be a 4-5 starter or a 6th man out of the BP. If starters need a break he could step up and give starters time off.
I will be surprised if we don’t sign at least 3 of our SPers. Kirby could want to go home. He could also be talked into staying. He has a huge fanbase and like I said he will be caught by the best in the MLB. Hope we don’t get cheap and let them walk.
I would view Kirby and Woo as the guys that get extended in the rotation. Seem to define the culture of the teams pitching really well. Either way 2027 is going to start a series of difficult offseasons and goodbyes.
They aren’t “deep in pitching”. Beyond their top 5 (3 of which have been bagged up) they have Evans, Hancock, Cejente, & Sloan. 2 of those haven’t wowed in their work in the big leagues.
Most teams don’t even have a top 3
I hope this guy was being sarcastic because I can’t tell
After tonight the mariners now have 3 really good starting pitching prospects on top of Evans who’s still pretty good
Interesting with two near-ready MLB guys already. Not something Seattle has done in a while.
Thanks Angels!
This is just an A+ of a draft day for Seattle. A Top 2 talent falling to their #3 pick and they sign him immediately underslot. A+, easily.
Explains why he was drafted. Talent and signed under.
Pick of the draft so far, Mariners need LHP and have success developing arms. Think he will be the best pitcher from this class.
Angels gonna Angel