Baseball America’s MiLB award feels like a kiss of death for Mariners’ Kade Anderson

Paul Taylor of Sodo Mojo highlights concerns about a potential curse following Seattle Mariners pitcher Kade Anderson winning Baseball America's 2026 MiLB Pitcher of the Year award. Anderson earned the honor after posting a 1.06 ERA, a 0.643 WHIP, and 135 strikeouts across 93.1 minor league innings.

Taylor notes previous award winners Andrew Painter, Robby Snelling, Quinn Matthews, and Jonah Tong have struggled to establish major league success. However, the writer argues Anderson's superior pedigree and early major league performances, including seven scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies, suggest he can avoid the perceived curse.