If he is still available then, anyway.
The 2025 MLB first year player draft is fast approaching, scheduled for July 13 and 14 during the All-Star Game festivities in Atlanta. The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves with a rare opportunity with the fifth overall pick in the draft after winning the pick in the draft lottery this offseason. A few weeks ago I looked at a pitcher Keith Law suggested the Cardinals might pick in his mock draft, Kyson Witherspoon, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Oklahoma. At the end of that post I asked for any suggestions of other players the Cardinals might take that you would like to know more about and of course, you all came through! Today let’s look at pitcher that I’ve heard a few people mention: Kade Anderson from LSU. I can’t find the comment, but I am pretty sure I read at least one mentioning Anderson. I also want to shoutout Roy for his e-mail of suggestions as well as Viva El Birdos very own Zach Junda. Zach also covers the LSU Tigers at their blog From And The Valley Shook.
As for Anderson, he has been dominant throughout his collegiate career, leading the SEC in strikeouts and solidifying himself as a legitimate top-five draft candidate. In fact, a mock draft from Kiley McDaniel has him actually getting picked third by the Seattle Mariners before the Cardinals would even get a chance to pick him. If he is available though, and the Cardinals continue with their trend to prioritize college pitching, Anderson would be a very highly regarded option with his polished mechanics, consistent performance, and a track record of success in one of the most competitive conferences in college baseball.
A left-hander with a powerful arsenal, Anderson features a mid-90s fastball with deceptive movement, a sharp curveball, and a polished changeup that keeps hitters off balance. His command and ability to generate swings and misses have made him one of the most effective pitchers in college baseball.
In his collegiate career, Anderson has posted a 3.68 ERA with 204 strikeouts across just over 121 innings. Scouts rave about his poise on the mound, and his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. As for his pitches, scouting reports say Anderson brings a well-rounded arsenal to the mound, which is a big part of why he’s projected as a top-five pick. While Kyson Witherspoon offers a more power-driven approach with an electric fastball and slider combination, Anderson, by contrast, leans on a more refined pitching repertoire with a strategic approach to sequencing pitches. Anderson’s ability to command all four of his pitches with consistency is what makes him one of the most polished arms in the draft. His repeatable delivery and fluid mechanics limit stress on his arm, which is an added bonus for teams evaluating durability. With his blend of power and finesse, he’s projected to be a middle-to-front-end starter at the major league level.
Fastball (Grade: 60) – Anderson’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and is said to reach 96-97 mph, which he is able to maintain late into games. What makes this pitch particularly effective is the late life and deception he generates. He has excellent command of the pitch, locating it well on both sides of the plate.
Curveball (Grade: 50) – His high-spin curveball is arguably his best secondary pitch. It has tight break and sharp downward movement, making it a true swing-and-miss offering. Anderson can use it to generate strikeouts, particularly against left-handed hitters, as it plays well off his fastball.
Slider (Grade: 55) – While the curveball is his primary breaking pitch, Anderson also mixes in a short, late-breaking slider that serves more as a backdoor option against right-handed hitters. Some scouts believe this pitch could become even more effective at the next level with refinement, as it already shows solid movement and command.
Changeup (Grade: 55) – His changeup is well-developed, coming in around the mid-80s with good fade. Anderson uses it effectively against right-handed hitters, especially when paired with his deceptive fastball. It’s a true out-pitch at times, helping him keep hitters off balance and adding another layer to his approach.
Here is a video that offers a good look at his different pitches:
With the fifth overall pick, the Cardinals have an opportunity to add a frontline pitcher to their system, and Kade Anderson certainly fits the mold. His well-rounded pitch arsenal, command, and ability to handle big-game situations make him an interesting option if he’s still available when the Cardinals are on the clock. While his heavy workload this season and previous injury history — he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed a season in his senior year of high school — will be factors to consider, though scouts do not seem to share major concerns about this. His polish and effectiveness suggest he could develop into a dependable starter at the major league level.
If the Cardinals do prioritize college pitching in this draft, Anderson stands as one of the best available options. Whether the Cardinals ultimately select him or go in a different direction — the MLB.com mock draft from Jim Callis has the Cardinals selecting high school shortstop Eli Willits pf Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, who I certainly plan on looking into — his combination of talent and experience makes him one of the top choices on the board for any team.
So now I wanna know what you think! Have I sold you all on Anderson or are there other players you want me to look at (like Willits, perhaps?) Let me know in the comments!
Happy Sunday!
Scouting reports:
- Mock B. MLB Draft Scouting Report: LSU’s Kade Anderson Continues to Climb Draft Boards. Call to the Pen. Published May 17, 2025. Accessed May 31, 2025. Available at: https://calltothepen.com/mlb-draft-scouting-report-lsu-kade-anderson-continues-to-climb-draft-boards.
- Worth A. Who Is Kade Anderson? Everything You Need to Know About LSU’s Dominant Lefty. MLB Analysis. Published May 23, 2025. Accessed May 31, 2025. Available at: https://mlbanalysis.com/mlb-draft/who-is-kade-anderson-everything-you-need-to-know-about-lsus-dominant-lefty