Seattle Mariners pitcher Kade Anderson has experienced a mixed start to his major league career after making a strong impression in the minor leagues. In his first three games, Anderson allowed nine runs and walked seven batters, showing signs of command issues. This is a new situation for the former college champion who had been setting records in Double-A. There's no easy path back to form, but Anderson has shown he can adapt and improve.
Anderson was the third overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft after helping LSU win the College World Series. He was also named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player. Anderson went 10-1 with a 1.06 ERA in 18 starts for Double-A Arkansas this season. He struck out 135 batters and walked only 13 in 93 1/3 innings before reaching the majors.
His most recent outing against the Rangers was his best performance so far in the majors, according to Yahoo Sports. Anderson pitched six innings, allowed just one run, struck out five batters, and walked only once. The single walk was a positive indicator that he is regaining his earlier command and control. At his best, Anderson gets ahead in counts with precise pitches and forces batters to react rather than control the at-bat.
The September 9 performance also gave Anderson his first major league victory as Seattle defeated Texas 3-2. It was the first quality start of his young career. Manager Dan Wilson said Anderson appeared to grow stronger and more confident as the game continued. Anderson threw 81 pitches and allowed six hits.
In his previous appearance against the A's, Anderson had his worst performance yet. Anderson missed several pitches, including one that led to a first-pitch home run, and shook off catcher Cal Raleigh several times, with one sequence resulting in a walk. He also struggled with his curveball and had long at-bats with hitters. Anderson lasted five innings in that September 3 start. He allowed four runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Anderson called the performance "unacceptable."
Following that poor outing, Anderson returned with a better showing in his next game. He said the key to improvement was changing his mindset and attacking batters more aggressively. Anderson noted that he felt his fastball velocity increased after making this adjustment. Anderson's early results also show that development is not always a straight line, and that setbacks are part of the process. The journey involves learning from failures and successes alike.
Anderson credited catcher Cal Raleigh with helping him make the mental adjustment during the Rangers game. Raleigh spoke to him after Jake Burger hit an early home run. Anderson did not reveal exactly what Raleigh said. He said the conversation helped him become more aggressive in the strike zone. MLB.com also noted that Anderson's velocity increased as the game went on. He reached 95 mph late in the outing after Burger's home run came on a 92.4 mph fastball.
Anderson’s teammate Emerson Hancock reflected on how such moments shape a pitcher's character. He said that players often learn more about themselves through experience and by making conscious choices during games. Hancock added that there are times when a pitcher must decide to push harder or take a step back.
This balance is something Anderson continues to work on in his final starts of the 2026 season. Hancock also spoke about how it felt to get to know Anderson during spring training. He said that building relationships early helps players adjust more smoothly when they reach the big leagues. Hancock said he has relied on older pitchers during his own career and now tries to pass what he has learned to younger teammates.
Eventually, Anderson will be in a position to share his insights with younger pitchers. For now, he remains focused on taking each day as it comes. Through his first four major league starts, Anderson is 1-1 with a 4.29 ERA over 21 innings. He has 16 strikeouts and eight walks.