PEORIA, Ariz. — This spring has been filled with praise for several of the Seattle Mariners young players.

Teammates, executives and coaches have highlighted the talent and maturity being displayed by several of the Mariners' top prospects, including pitchers Kade Anderson (No. 21 MLB Pipeline top 100) and Ryan Sloan (No. 33 top 100).

The praise continued for the pair of hurlers Friday.

This spring is the first major league camp for both Sloan and Anderson.

Sloan was picked in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft and Anderson was selected with the third overall pick in the 2025 draft.

Sloan has a season of minor league experience under his belt whereas Anderson is getting his first taste of pro ball.

Both players have one outing in a Cactus League game under their respective belts, and Anderson is scheduled for his second start against the Texas Rangers at 12:05 p.m. PT on Friday at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz.

"Looking forward to seeing (Anderson) pitch again in Surprise," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said in a news conference Friday. "I thought (it was) a really good outing his last time. ... Looking forward to (getting) a little bit deeper in the game and see how it goes for him."

Anderson and Sloan have grown closer this spring, following the tradition of collaboration that is prevalent with the Mariners starting pitchers.

Seattle's starters have helped foster an environment of competition and discussion — one where they motivate each other to get better but also don't shy away from sharing observations and ideas.

Sloan and Anderson's difference in experience — Anderson having played in college but not in the minor leagues and Sloan with no college ball but a year of pro ball — is an almost perfect balance.

"I think that kind of relationship — the stage has been set for that just based on what they've seen at the major league level," Wilson said. "I think our guys do an incredible job of that. I've heard it from some of our catchers, as well, just the environment that's set up from (catcher Cal Raleigh) and all that. Just how open and inviting it all is. And I think this is just a continuation of that, to see those two guys coming together like they have into camp. ... I think that's important. I think they can lean on each other, they can push one another."

The Mariners were on the wrong end of an absolute thrashing against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, losing 27-6.

It was a weird day that featured a combination of wind and sun that resulted in lost fly balls, multiple home runs over 420 feet and a second inning that featured 18 at-bats from the Padres alone.

Wilson wasn't interested Friday in discussing the game further but did mention it drew the attention of All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh, who's currently away from camp competing for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

"I heard there was some communication yesterday. He saw the score," Wilson said. "Was wondering what was going on. 'Question mark, question mark, question mark.' That wasn't on my phone but I heard there was rumblings. ... Of course he's paying attention. ... I don't think it's control, he just wants to win. He's curious what's going on here. That's just who he is."

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!