The problem with Kade Anderson isn’t the excitement. It’s the pace.
Just hearing the words “sooner than later” instantly speeds things up. The development timeline is fast-forwarded. Expectations jump. And significantly, this time, the fire isn’t just coming from the familiar hype-blowing machine — it’s coming from the Mariners themselves.
Player development director Justin Toole told Baseball America that Anderson will determine his own pace through his performances. That sounds neutral. But the emphasis on “sooner than later” is enough to shift the conversation. Once internal language starts hinting, it doesn’t take long for the outside world to… step on the gas.
ESPN is where things get out of control.
Jesse Rogers dropped the idea that Anderson could be a “postseason factor — this October,” accompanied by comparisons to Max Fried and a Paul Skenes-style pace. That’s the moment the story shifts from “exciting hype” to a warning sign that brakes are needed.
No one denies Anderson is an incredibly complete college shooter. Four pitches, good feel, a profile that allows him to progress faster than average. And ESPN isn’t wrong when they say modern MLB is ready to fast-track arms like that. But Anderson’s context is fundamentally different from what people assume.
Paul Skenes progressed quickly—but not teleported. He pitched in the minor league right after being drafted in 2023, accumulating innings, building routines, and learning the rhythm of professional life. Anderson didn’t. He won’t pitch a single professional pitch in 2025. The Mariners are deliberately shutting him down to prioritize physical development: building muscle, gaining weight, and building a foundation for a full pro season.
That detail completely changes the meaning of the word “soon.”
Seattle doesn’t lack shooters. When healthy, their current rotation is already a competitive advantage. They don’t need a savior with five innings. And that’s why the smart plan with Anderson, from start to finish, is always… boring: controlled loadout, clear development milestones, and no pressure.
If you need a cold reality check, look at MLB Pipeline. Anderson’s publicly stated ETA is 2027. That’s not a death sentence. Prospects surpass the ETA every year. But it tells you what a reasonable baseline is when you’re not drunk on comparisons.
Could a chaotic scenario occur? Yes. If the Seattle rotation suffers a mass injury crisis like last year, demand will start to override principles. And if Anderson moves up to upper minors and dominates to the point of forcing conversation? That’s a “good problem.”
But making “Skenes speedrun” the default is the quickest way to create disappointment.
Hype isn’t the enemy. The direction of the hype is the problem.
Keep that energy. Just aim for the right target. The goal isn’t to see Kade Anderson as soon as possible. The goal is to see him when he’s ready — and then, to see him every year, every season, every fifth appearance.
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