As live batting practice opened on Field 1 on the Mariners’ side of the Peoria Sports Complex, a sea of Seattle fans pressed against the chain-link fence. Some were locked in on stars like Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez taking their hacks in the cage, soaking in every crack of the bat.
But by the time the session wrapped, the energy had shifted. The buzz now belonged to Kade Anderson—Seattle’s No. 3 overall pick last year—who stole the spotlight by striking out Raleigh and Rodríguez on a warm spring Saturday evening.
“Nothing changes,” Anderson said afterward of his approach to attacking major league hitters.
Around this time last year, Anderson was opening the season with LSU as an intriguing draft prospect. By season’s end, he was arguably the most polished pitcher in the class and had helped the Tigers win the College World Series. Now, he was striking out two of baseball’s biggest stars.
“It gives a little bit of confidence knowing my stuff still plays at this level,” Anderson said, who has been pegged as a potential fast-mover in the Mariners’ system. “I’m just focused on one batter at a time, one pitch at a time. All that stuff will happen when it happens.”
Anderson’s fastball sat 93–94 mph. Though he touched 97 last season in college, his heater plays up because of its carry through the zone, keeping hitters off balance. His curveball and slider grade as 60s, and he continues to refine his changeup.
The Mariners were thrilled Anderson was available at No. 3 last summer. Many evaluators believed he could be the first pitcher taken off the board, a distinction that ultimately went to Tyler Bremner at No. 2. A season later, Anderson, 21, could follow a similar path to Trey Yesavage of the Blue Jays, who made it to the big leagues and was a postseason star for a Toronto club that denied Seattle its first World Series appearance with a Game 7 ALCS win.
Mariners farm director Justin Toole isn’t one to set timetables on prospects, but he noted that if Anderson’s minor league performance mirrors what he did in college, a rapid climb for BA’s No. 25 overall prospect is possible.
“You look at what he’s been able to do this spring, and he has yet to throw a professional inning,” Toole said of Anderson. “The hype has been awesome, but his professional clock is just starting to tick. It’s still relatively new. We’re trying to temper expectations, but we’re definitely thrilled with the work he’s putting in.”
Read on below for additional Arizona backfield intel updates on other impressive names like Ryan Sloan, Kendry Chourio and more. Also be sure to check out previous installments from Jesús Cano out in the desert here.
Don’t Forget Ryan Sloan
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A day later in Mariners camp, another pitcher commanded attention on the backfields—one with a very different profile than Anderson.
Ryan Sloan, who made his professional debut between Low-A and High-A last season, sat 96–98 mph in a live batting practice session. While he wasn’t facing household names, the raw electricity of his arsenal left a strong impression.
At times, Sloan’s breaking balls didn’t land as cleanly as he’d like, but rather than forcing them, he leaned on his fastball and worked back to movement. He’s also added a two-seam fastball this spring.
“Adding a two-seamer is going to make me much better and give me another weapon against righties,” Sloan said.
Added Toole: “It’s exciting for a guy with the potential to dominate the zone to add another pitch while still throwing really good stuff.”
In many ways, the contrast between Sloan and Anderson is striking. Anderson took the collegiate route, polishing his craft in the always-difficult SEC. Sloan, a 2024 high school draftee from Illinois, has followed a different developmental path, growing within the Mariners’ system from the ground up. BA’s No. 60 prospect entering the season, he should reach at least Double-A by year’s end.
One thing is certain: With the Mariners’ track record of developing pitchers, both hurlers should play pivotal roles for the organization down the line.
“Both of those guys are true Mariners,” Toole said.
More Mariners Marinade
Yorger Bautista, one of Seattle’s top signings from the 2025 international class ($2.1 million), will make his stateside debut this year and is currently in minor league mini-camp. The 18-year-old struggled in the Dominican Summer League last year, hitting .223 with a 29.8% strikeout rate and a 37.9% miss rate in the zone. But when he makes contact, he hits it hard, with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105.4 mph. How he adjusts to advanced pitching in the U.S. will be worth watching.
Lucas Kelly was another name highlighted by Toole. The Mariners’ No. 30 prospect and 2025 sixth-round pick out of Arizona State has turned heads this spring. His funky sidearm delivery—glove low at his torso, then reaching back to fire—hides a fastball that’s touched 97 mph. Kelly’s profile leans toward the bullpen for now, but the raw stuff gives him upside as he continues to develop.
Kendry Chourio Turns The Heat Up
In an era when players wear their emotions on their sleeves, Royals righthander Kendry Chourio does the opposite. He’s quiet off the field, splitting time between film study and reading his Bible, and he brings a calm, determined presence on the mound.
Then the ball leaves his hand.
The 21-year-old’s fastball sat 96–97 mph with excellent command when I saw him, and his curveball hinted at added bite, powered by shoulder strength and sharper depth. Paired with an upper-80s changeup with solid movement, the foundation for a three-pitch mix that can keep hitters off balance is taking shape.
Chourio has added roughly 10 pounds of muscle this offseason, bolstering durability and the potential for his stuff to play deeper into outings. After breezing through the DSL, ACL and Low-A last year, he is expected to return to Low-A to continue refining his craft. Currently ranked No. 82 on Baseball America’s prospect list, he has the potential to flirt with top 25 territory by season’s end if his stuff and poise continue to grow.
David Shields Keeps Progressing
Alongside Chourio, David Shields followed a similarly accelerated path in 2025. The Royals’ 2024 second-round pick from Mount Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh made just one ACL start before a promotion to Low-A and also gained valuable playoff experience.
This spring, Shields took the mound for a live batting practice session. Unlike Chourio, he ran into a few bumps, his command wavered and he surrendered a couple of hard-hit balls, including an opposite-field home run. But for a young arm with limited pro experience, moments like this are part of the growth process.
Outings like these become teaching tools, giving Shields a chance to refine command, adjust sequencing and continue building the foundation that earned him an aggressive assignment in the first place.
Jack Wheeling & Dealing
A guy I’m high on heading into 2026 is Jack Wheeler.
A sixth-round high school pick by the Rangers last year who signed for $525,000, Wheeler immediately stood out for his athleticism. His skill set was so versatile that he drew collegiate offers not just for baseball, but for football and basketball, as well.
Early buzz around Wheeler centers on his tools at third base, and his bat has the power to play the position. Standing at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds at 19 years old, there is definitely more room for Wheeler to grow into his body and add strength, which could hinder his mobility at the hot corner. He’ll also need to correct some swing-and-miss issues that he experienced in instructional league.
That said, Wheeler’s batting practice was impressive. He homered a handful of times, and multiple balls were just short of leaving the yard. That pop should convert into more over-the-fence power once he adds more muscle.
What’s The Plan For Josh Owens?
Josh Owens made a name for himself in the Rangers’ bridge league games, showing flashes both on the mound and at the plate. Some scouts see him—along with the A’s Shotaro Morii—as one of the rare prospects with legitimate two-way potential.
While his arm remains the stronger tool, Owens impressed in batting practice, consistently pulling balls hard to the left side. His swing is loose and aggressive, designed to maximize contact and put the ball in play.
He’s already back on the mound this offseason, and the plan is to start him in Low-A in 2026. Owens will be limited to one start per week, with a bullpen session sprinkled in. He’ll see the field 2–3 times a week and get plenty of at-bats, allowing the Rangers to develop both sides of his game carefully.
