The Seattle Mariners were beaten 7-1 on Saturday afternoon by the San Diego Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex, but the real story was the professional debut of top prospect Kade Anderson (No. 21 MLB Pipeline), who pitched for the first time since getting drafted No. 3 overall in last year's MLB Draft.

In total, Anderson went one inning, giving up two earned runs on three hits and one walk. He struck out three. However, the outing was better than the final numbers looked.

Here's what you need to know:

Anderson came right out of the gates pumping strikes, as he fired strikes on his first four pitches. He struck out Xander Bogaerts on three pitches, making him look silly on a changeup, and then he delivered a first pitch strike to Jackson Merrill.

Merrill reached on an infield single before Anderson walked Nick Castellanos, but he came back to strike out Miguel Andujar and Gavin Sheets, showing great poise. Those are bona-fide major league hitters and Anderson wasn't afraid to fill up the zone and attack. He fired 13 of his 18 first-inning pitches for strikes.

That mentality reminds us of what he told the media after last Saturday's electric live bullpen session.

Anderson gave up a single to Freddy Fermin and a double to Jake Cronenworth before getting lifted. Both runners scored after he left the game.

In total, Anderson threw 19 strikes in 30 pitches, flashing the kind of control that the Mariners knew they were getting when they selected him. He featured the devastating changeup and a solid breaking ball.

It's unclear if he'll get another Cactus League start before being assigned to minor league camp. He figures to start the year at High-A Everett, but he could even start the year at Double-A Arkansas considering how advanced he is.

--Mariners players are starting to leave for the World Baseball Classic, meaning that camp will get a lot thinner. Julio Rodriguez has already left to represent the Dominican Republic while Saturday marked the final game for Cal Raleigh as he gets set to go play for Team USA. Several other prominent Mariners are playing in the international event as well. That begins on March 5.

--The Mariners are shutting down Bryce Miller for a few days because of some left side discomfort. The team isn't worried, but Miller won't make his next scheduled start.

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