Kade

Anderson

Anderson’s latest dominant performance where he allowed just one baserunner was cut short due to inclement weather after just 59 pitches (39 strikes). The 21-year-old southpaw, who was selected third overall in last year’s draft, has looked like one of the top pitching prospects in baseball during his professional debut, recording a sublime 0.48 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 30/4 K/BB ratio across 18 1/3 innings over four starts at the Double-A level. There’s a non-zero chance he makes it to Seattle at some point later this season and he would offer enough strikeout upside to merit a roster spot in all fantasy formats.

Anderson has looked like the top pitching prospect in the entire minors this season, reeling off nine consecutive scoreless inning with 17 strikeouts and three walks over a pair of starts at the Double-A level. His ability to generate whiffs and fill up the zone with his entire four-pitch arsenal was on display in this one as he generated 14 swinging strikes and threw 48 of 70 pitches for strikes. The 21-year-old southpaw, who was selected third overall in last year’s MLB Draft, appears likely to ascend rapidly towards Seattle with a chance to arrive in the majors later this year. He’ll be the top-ranked pitching prospect on all dynasty rankings lists by midseason.

Anderson’s professional debut went swimmingly as he scattered five hits and one walk, navigating traffic on the basepaths in all four frames, while generating 12 swinging strikes on 59 pitches (43 strikes). The third-overall pick in last year’s MLB Draft is one of the top pitching prospects in the fantasy landscape based on his immense strikeout upside. The 21-year-old southpaw looked extremely impressive in spring training and has a realistic chance to arrive in Seattle later this summer.

Anderson, the third-overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, looked extremely impressive in three Cactus League outings this spring and appears to be on the fast-track to the big leagues. The 21-year-old southpaw possesses enough strikeout upside to make an immediate fantasy impact once he reaches the majors. He’s one of the few pitching prospects worth stashing at the outset of the year, especially in deeper mixed leagues.

Anderson, the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, isn’t going to open this season in the majors, but he might finish it in Seattle. He threw 25 of his 34 pitches for strikes today. Last year, he had a 180/35 K/BB in 119 innings for LSU.

The run-provention isn’t great, but Anderson did strike out three of the seven hitters he faced and looked filthy doing so. The 21-year-old was the third-overall pick in 2026, and while he doesn’t have quite the same elite stuff as a Paul Skenes or pitchers of that ilk, there’s just as good of chance Anderson makes an early debut. Fantasy managers should be prepared if he gets the call for Seattle in 2026.

MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reports Anderson will receive an $8.8 million signing bonus, which is significantly under-slot ($9.5 million) for the third-overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The 21-year-old strikeout machine figures to ascend to the majors quickly following a stellar collegiate career at perennial powerhouse LSU. His ability to miss bats, thanks to a mid-90’s heater and three plus secondary offerings, give him a shot at immediate fantasy relevance. He’s a surefire top-50 dynasty prospect as he kicks off his professional debut.

Anderson saw his stock soar in 2025 after helping LSU win the College World Series while leading the NCAA with 180 strikeouts over 119 innings with a 3.15 ERA. The 21-year-old southpaw sits in the mid 90s with a fastball with a good amount of movement, and then offers three secondary pitches that get plus grades along with well above-average command. Anderson doesn’t project to be an ace along the lines of a Paul Skenes or even a Chase Burns, but he has top-of-the-rotation stuff, and could enter the majors by the end of 2026.

With just a few hours remaining before Washington officially goes on the clock, the consensus industry-wide is that Holliday, Anderson and Willits will likely be the top picks in the 2025 MLB Draft. Holliday — the younger brother of Orioles standout Jackson Holliday and son of former big-league star Matt Holliday — has been universally-regarded as the likely top pick for months. The 18-year-old prep shortstop out of Oklahoma is bigger than his brother and packs some serious power upside. Anderson, a collegiate southpaw from LSU, would likely reach the majors at some point next year, if that’s the most important variable to the Nationals. Meanwhile, Willits — the son of former major-leaguer Reggie Willits — is only 17 years old and might end up being the best player in the entire class if he continues on his current trajectory.