By Hunt Palmer
Kade Anderson rarely talks about himself.
When you post a 12-1 record, lead the country in strikeouts, win the College World Series Most Outstanding Player and get picked third in the MLB Draft, there’s plenty to talk about.
He doesn’t.
He will, however, talk about everyone else. Just an hour after Anderson was picked by the Seattle Mariners at a slot that could net him more than $9 million, he still wanted to talk about everyone else.
It started with his pitching coach Nate Yeskie.
“I give so much credit to Coach Yeskie, and I’m right here talking to (the MLB media) mostly because of him,” Anderson said. “I genuinely believe that without the help of him I wouldn’t be sitting here right now. Just give a lot of credit to him and just so happy to have had the opportunity to play for the purple and gold. It’s something I’ll cherish for a long time. Just to have it the back of my head that I can always lean back on the Tigers is just something special. Obviously, I made some great memories this year that are really close to my heart.”
Though he didn’t recruit Anderson, Yeskie did tutor the talented left-handed both of his collegiate seasons. He oversaw the transformation from freshman afterthought to All-American. Much of that was due to the slider the duo worked on during the summer and fall of 2024.
The results were phenomenal. The outcome was a dream come true.
“It still doesn’t really feel real,” Anderson said. “When I heard my name, obviously, it’s what you dream about. Just super grateful to be selected by an organization that I got to meet and take in. I think everything happens for a reason. For me to be selected by the Mariners truly means a lot, and it’s an emotional time. I ‘m really excited to spend this time with my family and celebrate with them.”
That family is familiar with the top of the Mariners organization. None of the others. Seattle’s Vice President and Assistant General Manager, Andy McKay left the Pacific Northwest and made the trek down to Madisonville.
The personal connection meant a lot.
“Andy McKay actually came to my house maybe a week or two ago,” Anderson said. “We just sat down for about an hour and kind of talked things out. Funny enough, he’s the only guy who came to my house. I’m not sure if that’s ironic or that’s just how things go. But we had some really good conversations that, funny enough, reminded me of Coach Yeskie in a lot of ways. I think that we created that bond that put us to a spot where they could select me.”
Seattle dipped into the LSU pipeline last summer to select right-hander Christian Little in the 11th round despite an arm/shoulder injury in the SEC Tournament that kept him out of the Chapel Hill Regional.
Anderson and Little were teammates for a season in Baton Rouge and may share another dugout soon.
“As soon as I got selected, in the back of my head, I was like I know a guy from here, and it’s a really good feeling,” Anderson said. “Christian Little is a really good dude. And just happy to have that guy that I can count on. He’s a really good leader. He’s a great teammate and somebody you look up to a lot. So, to have somebody in my corner is special.”
It’s one thing to lean on a former college teammate in the organization. It’s another to hear from an MLB All-Star who led baseball in innings pitched in 2024.
“Logan Gilbert just texted me which is pretty cool,” Anderson said. “He’s one of the best in the world. For him to reach out is really special.”
So, Anderson will move on to his new home in the Seattle organization. He’ll have a ton of support from the program that helped shepherd his development.
“Really happy for Kade and really happy he landed with the Mariners,” LSU head coach Jay Johnson told LouisianaSports.net. “They got the most complete pitcher in the country and one that has the chance to be a longtime high end MLB starter. Kade is everything you want in a player and a person. Elite competitor and absolute winner, I know the Mariners are thrilled to have him, and I’m thankful to have coached Kade.”
The feeling is mutual, and Anderson said Sunday night that he’s ready to take the next step.
“To have the opportunity to pitch in the SEC and pitch in the (College) World Series kind of prepares you for the next step,” Anderson said. “Pitching in the SEC is just a stepping stone for the next step. Really blessed with Coach Johnson for giving me that chance. Really cool memories I made along the way at LSU and super happy and fortunate enough that I was a part of that.”
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