Kade Anderson is continuing to prove himself at the Double-A level with the Arkansas Travelers.
The Seattle Mariners major league starting rotation has been one of the best in baseball this season.
After Friday's 9-6 win against the Houston Astros, in which starting pitcher Emerson Hancock went five innings, struck out five and allowed three earned runs, the Mariners' starting rotation ERA stands at 3.07. That mark ranks seventh in the majors and fourth in the American League.
Despite that mark, and right-handed starting pitcher Bryce Miller still awaiting his return and season debut after landing on the 15-day injured list due to an oblique strain, the organization's top pitching prospect seems to be knocking on the door of the majors.
Left-handed starting pitcher Kade Anderson (No. 18 MLB Pipeline) made his second start of the season for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers in a 5-0 win against the Wichita Wind Surge on Friday.
The 2025 NCAA College World Series Most Outstanding Player was immaculate in his outing. He struck out 11 batters, walked two and didn't allow a hit or a run in five innings pitched.
Through two starts this season, the 21-year-old southpaw has fanned 17 hitters, issued three walks and has allowed five hits but no runs in nine innings pitched.
Anderson was considered the most major league-ready pitcher when Seattle selected him with the third overall pick in the '25 MLB Draft. He didn't throw a professional pitch that summer but the Mariners were confident enough in his abilities to give him a look in Cactus League action this year.
Anderson received a non-roster invite to spring training and finished his first spring training with a 6.43 ERA. He fanned nine batters, walked three and allowed five earned runs on seven hits (one home run) in seven innings pitched across three starts.
The Mariners' top brass is confident enough in Anderson that general manager Justin Hollander and president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto haven't ruled out the possibility that Anderson could make his major league debut this year.
It's still early into the year but if his first two starts are a sign of the season Anderson has in store, that possibility could very well become a reality.
It's just a matter of how Anderson's debut will come to be.
As mentioned before, Seattle's starting rotation is holding firm as one of the best in baseball even without Miller in the fold. The organization's "No. 6" starting pitcher, Hancock, is also in the infantile stages of what's shaping out to be a career-best season. He has a 2.04 ERA and has 19 strikeouts in 17.2 innings pitched across three starts.
The fit on the roster might prevent Anderson from making his major league debut this season but it won't be based on his readiness or ability.
If you want more on Anderson, we recently spoke to Travelers' broadcaster Steven Davis on the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!