The 2025 MLB Draft kicked off with a stunning twist. The Nationals and Angels made unexpected moves at the top, selecting Eli Willits and Tyler Bremner with the first and second overall picks, respectively. Now, that unexpected shuffle set the stage for a golden opportunity at No. 3. The Mariners found themselves staring at a dream scenario.

What came next could turn out to be a franchise-altering decision. With their first-round pick, the Mariners selected LSU left-hander Kade Anderson, a dominant arm widely projected as the No. 1 overall player in many mock drafts. And this story gets even more compelling when you consider what Seattle signed him for. The Mariners may have just pulled off one of the draft’s biggest scoops.

“Kade Anderson and the Mariners have agreed to terms for a signing bonus of around $8.8 million, according to a source. That’s roughly $700,000 below slot value for the No. 3 overall pick, allowing them to reallocate that money elsewhere,” MLB insider Daniel Kramer reported.

Top Stories

MLB

Yankees Nation Turns On $70M Star Over Ice-Cold Start as Future Turns Uncertain Amid Amed Rosario Surge

14 hrs ago

MLB

Dodger Nation Left Mourning as 2X World Series Champion Passes Away at 80

1 day ago

MLB

Houston Demands Joe Espada’s Exit as Astros Announce Double Blow Amid Latest Struggles

16 hrs ago

MLB

Teary-Eyed Dodgers Star Forced to Miss Father’s Funeral Amid “Extremely Difficult” Situation

8 hrs ago

MLB

Truth Behind George Springer’s Alleged Complaint Against Shohei Ohtani Revealed After Dodgers Manager Justifies Delay

9 hrs ago

The Mariners came into the draft with over $17 million. With their signing bonus of $8.8 million for Anderson, it gives them a little extra flexibility with the rest of their top-10 round picks. And this amount saved on Anderson might just help the Mariners to keep him away from a college commitment in the future.

Notably, Kade Anderson is their highest draft selection since they took Mike Zunino out of Florida back in 2012. Anderson just wrapped up a dominant season at LSU, leading the team to a national title in the College World Series finals. And in college baseball, he even topped the chart with 180 strikeouts over 119 innings, with a 3.18 ERA.

Definitely a triumph by the Mariners!