Mariners calling up top pitching prospect Kade Anderson in middle of fight for playoff spot

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The Mariners are calling up one of the best pitching prospects in baseball.

Seattle is promoting left-hander Kade Anderson to make his major league debut Saturday against the Cubs at T-Mobile Park, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Thursday.

Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, has dominated the minor leagues during his first professional season.

The 22-year-old southpaw owns a 1.06 ERA across 93⅓ innings in 18 starts for Double-A Arkansas.

He’s punched out 135 batters while issuing just 13 walks and allowing 47 hits, holding a 10-1 record with a 0.64 WHIP.

Anderson currently stands as the game’s top pitching prospect, along with being the No. 5 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.

Baseball America and FanGraphs both also have Anderson as the top arm on their prospect lists. 

The Mariners had recently begun openly discussing the possibility of Anderson joining their rotation for the final stretch.

“We’re not going to put Kade in the bullpen,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said earlier this month. “He’s the best starting pitcher in the minor leagues.”

Anderson emerged as one of college baseball’s biggest stars during his final season at LSU when he struck out 180 batters in 119 innings before helping the Tigers win the College World Series and earning Most Outstanding Player honors.

His debut will come on the national stage, with Saturday’s game scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET on Fox.

The Mariners, who are 60-68 heading into the weekend series against the Cubs, are hoping Anderson can provide a boost with their playoff hopes currently on life support.

Although Seattle is just three games back of the third and final American League wild-card spot, five teams standing between them and the final playoff berth.