Former Arkansas Traveler Kade Anderson took home two awards on the Minor League Baseball Awards show that aired tonight on MLB Network. Anderson, who spent all of his time in the minors this year with Arkansas, won the Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Year as well as winning the Minor League Debut of the Year.
Anderson, in his first pro season, put together one of the greatest years ever by a pitcher in the history of the minor leagues. Over 18 starts, Anderson went 10-1 with a 1.06 ERA in 93.1 innings with 135 strikeouts, 13 walks and a .147 opponent batting average. Turning 22-years old late in the season, he did not allow a run in 13 of his 18 starts. His 1.06 ERA was among the best of any Minor League hurler with 90 or more innings since 1963 (the “modern era” for the Minor Leagues), coming at a time of otherwise huge offensive numbers, and also led Texas League pitchers this year in a host of statistical categories.
The lefty’s dominance with the Travelers led to him being called up directly to Seattle to make his MLB debut on August 22. In seven starts with the Mariners, Anderson went 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA, throwing 35.2 innings with 32 strikeouts and nine walks. He was drafted third overall in the 2025 draft by Seattle out of LSU. This season, Anderson has already been named the Texas League Pitcher of the Year, a Texas League Postseason All-Star, the Mariners Jamie Moyer Minor League Pitcher of the Year and he was a five-time Texas League Pitcher of the Week.
This marks the second-consecutive year the Travelers have been recognized on the Minor League Baseball Awards show after winning “Best New Alternate Identity” for their Barkansas Dizzys moniker that honored their Ballpark Pup, Dizzy, in 2025.
Founded in 1901, the Arkansas Travelers are the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and call CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock home. The 2027 season opens on April 2 with the home schedule starting on April 6. For all the latest information with the club and events at the ballpark, log on to travs.com or follow the Travelers on Facebook (/ArkansasTravelers), Instagram (@artravs), Threads (@artravs) and Twitter/X (@artravs). Dickey-Stephens Park is a cashless facility, and the Travelers have a clear bag policy for all events.