Cardinals Eyeing Elite Left-Handed Pitcher for Immediate Impact

The St. Louis Cardinals, a franchise with deep baseball roots, have a real shot to shape their future in the 2025 MLB Draft. They hold the No. 5 pick, and early buzz points to LSU’s Kade Anderson—a lefty pitcher who’s quickly become one of college baseball’s most talked-about arms.

Anderson’s story has some grit. He bounced back from Tommy John surgery in April 2022, missing his senior high school season and facing plenty of doubt. But once he landed at LSU, he started proving people wrong, showing resilience and drive that scouts love to see.

Laying the Foundation: Who is Kade Anderson?

At first, Anderson worked as a midweek starter and reliever at LSU. He didn’t stay in the shadows for long, though. He soon earned a spot in the postseason bullpen, and by 2025, he was front and center in the rotation.

By the end of the season, Anderson had made his mark as one of the top collegiate pitchers in the country. He led NCAA Division I in strikeouts during the regular season—racking up 145 punchouts in 89 innings through the conference tournament.

His command on the mound showed in the postseason, too. Over 17 starts, he finished with a 3.58 ERA, handling pressure like a veteran and keeping hitters off balance.

Breaking Down Kade Anderson’s Pitching Arsenal

So, what makes Anderson stand out? It’s the mix of his physical tools and sharp mechanics. His fastball sits at 92-94 mph and sometimes touches 97 mph. More than just heat, though—the ball really rides through the zone, and hitters struggle to square it up.

A Potent Slider and More

His slider is no joke, either. It’s a high-spin, mid-80s offering that already looks like a plus pitch for the pros. Anderson can spot it on both sides of the plate, adding another layer of unpredictability for batters.

With that two-pitch combo, he’s already tough to face. If he keeps refining his other pitches, who knows how good he could get?

The Stats That Cement His Draft Stock

The numbers back up the hype:

• 163 strikeouts in 103 innings: The guy misses bats—plain and simple.
• 145 strikeouts in 89 innings through the regular season: He’s not just piling up stats against weak teams, either.
• 3.58 ERA in 17 starts: He’s been steady all year long.

MLB.com ranks him the No. 3 overall prospect. That mix of strikeouts and poise? It’s rare, and teams notice.

Why Kade Anderson Makes Sense for the Cardinals

The Cardinals have a reputation for growing pitching talent, and Anderson fits that mold. Lefties with his kind of upside aren’t easy to find, and his knack for missing bats would give their rotation a real boost.

If the Cardinals do call his name, their careful approach to development could help Anderson reach his potential. He’s already shown he can dominate in college, and with a little more polish, he could be leading a big-league rotation before long.

Conclusion: A Win-Win Scenario for the Cardinals

If the St. Louis Cardinals go after Kade Anderson with the No. 5 pick, they could land a prospect with serious upside. Anderson’s mix of resilience and top-tier talent stands out right away.

He’s shown grit at LSU, especially when things got tough. That kind of mental toughness and drive? It’s exactly what you want if you’re aiming for a long career in the Majors.

The Cardinals know how to spot and develop stars. Maybe Anderson becomes their next ace—stranger things have happened.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Cardinals Predicted To Bring ‘Elite’ Lefty To St. Louis