When the Seattle Mariners went on the clock with their No. 3 pick in the 2025 MLB draft, the debate was real. Would they go for the raw high school firepower from California? The shortstop talent from Tennessee, or someone with a College World Series ring and plenty of strikeouts to his name. They have chosen wisely—LSU’s Kade Anderson.

The southpaw pitcher, who is fresh off a championship run and rocks a 3.18 ERA and 180 strikeouts across 119 innings, is now a Mariners guy. He shut out Coastal Carolina in the MCWS final and walked away with the Baseball America Pitcher of the Year honor. So, for Seattle, a team that is in search of a pitching pedigree, this is a statement.

Anderson has been drawing early comparisons to Paul Skenes, who, by the way, is his LSU predecessor and went no. 1 in 2024 and is now rocking in the Pittsburgh Pirates. Some even thought Anderson might follow the exact path to the top of the draft board. But then came something that no one saw coming—the Nationals and Angels passed on him, opting for Eli Willits and Tyler Bremner. And suddenly, the Mariners had this golden opportunity. But let’s be clear: This was not a straightforward call at all.

There was plenty of pre-draft buzz, and it wasn’t quiet. Keith Law of The Athletic, for example, had his cards on Aiva Arquette, a powerful shortstop who crushed 19 homers and racked up a 1.115 OPS this season. Bleacher Report named Seth Hernandez, a California prep ace with immense velocity, to be the one. But amidst this Tennessee-California showdown on draft mock-ups, while plenty of names were thrown around, the LSU lefty with the strong resume won over the Seattle Mariners office.

And honestly, he brings polish. Scouts love his four-pitch mix—a 93-97 mph fastball, a sharp slider, and a curveball he throws for strikes. He is actually being compared to Max Fried for his skills, and that says a lot. The bottom line now is that the Seattle Mariners didn’t just draft for the hype; they did it for readiness. But it’s not roses all over here; there are red flags too, and the readiness itself could be one.

Kade Anderson may not be the next Skenes

Sure, the Mariners made a statement and picked a guy with stats and hardware that make him comparable to Paul Skenes. But you have to come back to earth here. While Kade Anderson is one of the most ready arms in his class, he doesn’t bring that sky-high ceiling that came with Skenes. Because the now Pirates ace was then a unicorn! Skenes had a triple-digit heat and the kind of presence that screamed ‘franchise cornerstone’ from the moment he stepped in.

Kade Anderson is different in build and has more finesse than the fire. A lefty who works in the low to mid 90s, and he thrives on command, but intimidation? Not really. So, he isn’t the one who can leave hitters shaking in their cleats. Plus, this is where the wonder comes in—how much is left in him to unlock? Unlike Skenes, who had room to grow when the Pittsburgh Pirates grabbed him, Anderson seems close to his peak.

Anderson knows how to pitch. He is mature and polished. So, the Mariners might not need to help him in that. Then there is also the injury matter, given that Anderson underwent Tommy John surgery back in high school. Yes, pitchers do bounce back from the surgery all the time these days, but this is just his first step in MLB, and he already has one done. And while the first is fine, the second recovery—that’s when things start to wobble.

The Seattle Mariners did well with Kade Anderson, but for now, he is walking a fine line between safe bet and capped potential. Still, maybe this is what the Mariners need now, someone steady. What do you think?