Kudos to LHP Kade Anderson of LSU, who was named Baseball America’s Pitcher of the Year.

In a college baseball season filled with standout pitching performances and electrifying moments on the mound, no hurler commanded attention quite like LSU’s left-handed ace, Kade Anderson. The sophomore southpaw was officially crowned Baseball America’s 2025 Pitcher of the Year, an honor that cements his place among the elite in collegiate baseball and recognizes a season for the ages in Baton Rouge.

This latest accolade serves as both a testament to Anderson’s dominance and a significant win for an LSU program that has long prided itself on producing elite arms. As the Tigers continue to push for national titles under head coach Jay Johnson, Anderson’s emergence has provided a cornerstone presence that helped LSU rise back into the upper echelon of college baseball.

Anderson’s journey to the top wasn’t a foregone conclusion. The former highly touted Louisiana high school prospect entered the season with potential, but few outside of LSU insiders predicted the sheer dominance he would showcase across the SEC and beyond. After flashes of brilliance as a freshman, Anderson leveled up in every aspect of his game.

With a mid-90s fastball, a devastating 12-6 curveball, and improved command of his changeup, Anderson finished the season with video game-level stats:

• Record: 11–1
• ERA: 1.74
• WHIP: 0.83
• Strikeouts: 142 in 96.2 innings
• Opponents’ batting average: .183

Beyond the box score, Anderson’s poise and presence on the mound were equally impressive. Whether he was shutting down SEC juggernauts or carving through opposing lineups in regional and super-regional play, his starts became appointment viewing for scouts and fans alike.

Several outings helped define Anderson’s award-winning campaign:

• March 29 vs. Florida: In front of a raucous Alex Box Stadium crowd, Anderson tossed a complete-game shutout, striking out 13 and allowing just three hits in a pivotal SEC showdown.
• April 20 at Arkansas: Against the top-ranked Razorbacks in hostile territory, Anderson went 7.1 innings of one-run ball, holding a potent lineup in check and helping LSU clinch the series.
• June 2 vs. Oregon (Regional Final): With LSU’s season on the line, Anderson delivered once again, striking out 10 over eight scoreless innings and propelling the Tigers to the Super Regionals.

In all these starts, his maturity, pitch sequencing, and unflappable demeanor stood out.

Anderson joins an elite group of LSU pitchers to win national accolades, a fraternity that includes names like Ben McDonald, Aaron Nola, and Paul Skenes. While each forged his own legacy, Anderson’s unique combination of artistry and ferocity on the mound has drawn comparisons to the program’s best.

Pitching coach Wes Johnson has often praised Anderson’s relentless work ethic and coachability. “Kade’s not just physically gifted—he’s mentally tough and always working to outthink hitters,” Johnson said. “He’s the kind of guy who wants the ball when it matters most.”

Anderson’s Pitcher of the Year honor adds another jewel to LSU’s crown and affirms the program’s continued dominance on the mound. Even in a year where pitching was stronger than ever across the country, Anderson separated himself with consistency, competitiveness, and sheer brilliance.

With the 2025 MLB Draft looming, Anderson’s stock is red-hot. Scouts love his clean mechanics, high-spin curveball, and ability to hold velocity deep into games. There’s growing consensus that he could go inside the top 10 picks, with multiple MLB teams reportedly intrigued by his floor as a big-league starter and his ceiling as a frontline rotation piece.

“His combination of polish and upside is rare,” one AL scout said. “He commands three pitches, has SEC battle scars, and shows no fear. That’s what we want in a first-rounder.”

Although Anderson is expected to forgo his remaining college eligibility for the pros, he leaves behind a legacy that Tigers fans won’t soon forget. His rise reflects LSU’s ability to develop elite talent and showcases the program’s continued relevance on the national stage.

For LSU, the challenge now becomes replacing their ace, but with a stacked recruiting class and several arms waiting in the wings, Jay Johnson’s squad remains poised to contend.

In a sport where pitchers often live in the shadows of power hitters and flashy position players, Kade Anderson reminded the world that there’s still nothing quite like a dominant lefty taking over a game. His 2025 season was more than award-worthy—it was legendary.

From Baton Rouge to Omaha, Anderson struck out batters and doubts alike. Now, with Baseball America’s highest pitching honor in hand, he steps into the next chapter of his baseball journey as one of the most exciting prospects in the country.

Well deserved, Kade. LSU—and the baseball world—tips its cap.