The 2025 MLB First-Year Player Draft is right around the corner, set to take place on July 13 and 14 during the All-Star Game festivities in Atlanta.
The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in an uncommon position this year, holding the fifth overall pick thanks to their favorable outcome in the draft lottery.
Not long ago, I wrote about Kyson Witherspoon, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Oklahoma, whom Keith Law projected as a potential Cardinals selection in his mock draft.
At the end of that post, I asked for input on other players fans wanted to hear more about—and as always, you delivered.
One name that’s come up a few times is Kade Anderson from LSU. Though I can’t locate the specific comment, I distinctly remember someone mentioning him.
I also want to give a special shoutout to Roy for emailing his suggestions and to Zach Junda from Viva El Birdos, who also covers LSU baseball over at And The Valley Shook.
Now let’s dive into Anderson. He’s been nothing short of dominant during his college career, currently leading the SEC in strikeouts and establishing himself as a top-tier draft prospect.
In fact, Kiley McDaniel’s recent mock draft has Anderson going third overall to the Mariners—just ahead of the Cardinals’ pick.
If he’s still available when it’s their turn, and if the team continues to value college pitching, Anderson would be a compelling option.
His clean mechanics, consistent results, and proven performance in one of college baseball’s toughest conferences make him a standout.
Anderson is a lefty with an impressive toolkit: a fastball in the mid-90s with late life, a tight-breaking curveball, and a well-developed changeup that keeps hitters guessing.
His command and swing-and-miss ability make him one of the most effective pitchers in the college ranks.
Across his time at LSU, Anderson has posted a 3.68 ERA and recorded 204 strikeouts in just over 121 innings. Scouts praise his composure and effectiveness under pressure. His pitch mix is well-rounded—key to his top-five projection.
While Witherspoon brings raw power with a blazing fastball and sharp slider, Anderson offers a more refined, tactical style. His control of all four pitches and efficient, repeatable delivery reduce wear on his arm—an important factor for long-term durability.
His combination of power and precision suggests he could become a solid mid-to-front rotation starter in the majors.
Pitch Breakdown:
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Fastball (60 grade): Sits mid-90s, touches 96–97 mph, with late life and deception. He locates it well to both sides of the plate and maintains velocity deep into games.
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Curveball (50 grade): His top secondary offering with a tight spin and sharp downward action. Particularly effective versus lefties and complements his fastball well.
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Slider (55 grade): Not as frequently used but effective, especially as a backdoor pitch to right-handers. Scouts believe it has room to grow with further refinement.
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Changeup (55 grade): A mid-80s offering with good fade, especially useful against right-handed batters. It’s a legitimate out pitch in his arsenal.
Here’s a video that gives a good look at Anderson’s pitch repertoire:
With the fifth overall pick, the Cardinals are in a strong position to add an impact arm, and Anderson certainly fits the profile.
His refined pitch mix, command, and ability to rise to the occasion in high-stakes games make him an appealing option.
Though his injury history—including Tommy John surgery during his senior year of high school—and this season’s workload are worth monitoring, scouts don’t seem overly concerned. His polish and track record suggest he has the tools to become a reliable MLB starter.
If the Cardinals stick to their strategy of targeting college pitchers, Anderson stands out as one of the top available choices.
Of course, they could take a different route entirely—MLB.com’s Jim Callis projects them to pick high school shortstop Eli Willits from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, who I also plan to cover soon.
So what do you think? Are you sold on Anderson? Are there other draft prospects you’d like me to look into (maybe Willits)? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Sunday!
