What to Expect from Mariners Starting Pitcher Emerson Hancock

Multiple reports have indicated that the Seattle Mariners are prepared to call up right-handed pitching prospect Emerson Hancock to the Majors. Hancock’s now set to make his MLB debut, just a little over three years since the former University of Georgia ace was selected by the M’s. Here’s a closer look at Hancock.

A Look at Hancock

Mariners pitching prospect Emerson Hancock was at one point an early candidate to go first in the 2020 MLB Draft. That ultimately did not happen after an abbreviated 2020 campaign that didn’t quite live up to lofty expectations. Seattle grabbed Hancock with the sixth overall pick that year.

Hancock put up strong numbers in his first taste of pro ball in 2021, when he pitched to the tune of a 2.62 ERA and accrued 43 K over 44.2 IP. However, Hancock’s dealt with a number of injuries in his pro career – a shoulder problem in 2021 and a right lat injury in 2022.

In 98 innings with Arkansas (AA) this season, Hancock went 11-5 with a 4.32 ERA, 107:38 K:BB ration, and opposing hitters batted .230 off the right-hander. The opponent’s batting average and ERA figures have gone in the opposite direction from 2022 (.219 AVG, 3.75 ERA over 98.1 IP). However, the strikeout numbers are up.

However, Hancock’s numbers since the start of June have been much better. After an abysmal April and May, Hancock owns a 2.97 ERA since the start of June and he struck out 57 over 57.2 IP. Opposing hitters owned a .225 AVG and .642 OPS off the 24-year-old in that stretch.

Reports on the 24-year-old suggest that Hancock’s got the pitch arsenal — which includes a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup — to be a starter at the MLB level. Hancock got whiffs late in counts and up in the zone with his heater — which has reportedly sat in the mid-90s — with Arkansas, and he’s changed up his slider to get more in line with he was working with at the University of Georgia (h/t MLB.com)

After a torrid stretch in AA, Hancock’s now set to get his first taste of the Majors.

What it Means for the Mariners and Fantasy Outlook

The Mariners have built up quite the collection of young pitchers, as Hancock now joins the likes of George Kirby, Bryan Woo, Bryce Miller, and Logan Gilbert in Seattle. Not to mention, the M’s have ace Luis Castillo, 2021 AL Cy Young award winner Robbie Ray, and Marco Gonzales under contract. Ray, however, is out after he underwent Tommy John and flexor tendon surgery in May.

There’s been talk that the Mariners could look to form a six-man rotation as Seattle looks to push towards a playoff spot, a move that would alleviate the pressure on the staff’s young pitchers and limit their innings.

For reference, Woo’s already thrown 99 innings in 2023 between AA and MLB, significantly higher than his previous career-high as a pro of 57. Miller, meanwhile, is at 105.1 IP between AA and MLB. It’s not as high as the 133.2 IP he logged from a year earlier, but the hard-throwing right-hander is close.

Hancock is also set to reach a career-high as professional, meaning this plan — if it comes into fruition —can benefit him as well.

As far his fantasy outlook is concerned, Hancock was on our January list of the 10 pitching prospects to watch this season. He’s got the ability to get whiffs, and his mix does give him multiple weapons to work with and fool batters. While he might not have the strikeout potential that Miller and Woo have, there’s some sleeper value there — particularly against weaker opponents.