• Full name Emerson Christian Hancock
  • Born 05/31/1999 in Thomasville, GA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 213 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Georgia
  • Drafted in the 1st round (6th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2020 (signed for $5,700,000).
    View Draft Report
    A notable high school prospect out of Georgia in 2017, Hancock established himself as one of the best college arms during a tremendous sophomore season in 2019. He posted a 1.99 ERA—the eighth best mark in Georgia history—and led the SEC with a 0.84 WHIP while allowing one run or fewer in nine of his 14 starts. Scouts lauded his delivery, command and repertoire at the time, with some believing each of his pitches were plus or better. The grades on each of Hancock’s offerings weren’t quite as gaudy early in 2020, but Hancock’s command, frame, delivery and pitch mix still place him among the class’ elite. Hancock’s command, possibly his attribute, earns him potential plus grades—rare for an amateur pitcher with his stuff. He walked just 1.79 batters per nine innings as a sophomore, and that rate was down to 1.13 after four starts in 2020. He spots his entire arsenal where he wants it, which can allow everything to play up. Hancock’s fastball ranges from 93-97, though some evaluators question the underlying quality of the pitch, wondering if it has the riding life and swing-and-miss qualities you’d like to see from a frontline starter. It’s possible a lower arm slot leads to some of those concerns. After the fastball, Hancock throws a slider in the low 80s that he worked on over the offseason and gets plus grades at its best. The pitch is more often a 55-grade offering, though, while a tumbling changeup is his most consistent offspeed pitch and generates whiffs from batters on either side. Hancock also throws a curveball, though less frequently than his other three pitches. Hancock is unsurprisingly efficient considering his command, and he also fields his position well with impressive natural athleticism and a clean delivery that leaves him in good fielding position. Hancock should be one of the first pitchers off the board, but teams would prefer a frontline pitching prospect to have a no-doubt, out-pitch breaking ball and Hancock’s haven’t reached that quality as consistently as scouts would like. Either way, his athleticism, frame, command, velocity, changeup and track record in the SEC all combine to provide some safety and make him difficult to pass up.

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Career Transactions

  • Seattle Mariners recalled RHP Emerson Hancock from Tacoma Rainiers.
  • Seattle Mariners optioned RHP Emerson Hancock to Tacoma Rainiers.
  • Seattle Mariners recalled RHP Emerson Hancock from Tacoma Rainiers.
  • Seattle Mariners optioned RHP Emerson Hancock to Tacoma Rainiers.
  • Seattle Mariners recalled RHP Emerson Hancock from Tacoma Rainiers.
  • Seattle Mariners optioned RHP Emerson Hancock to Tacoma Rainiers.
  • Seattle Mariners recalled RHP Emerson Hancock from Tacoma Rainiers.
  • Seattle Mariners optioned RHP Emerson Hancock to Tacoma Rainiers.
  • Seattle Mariners recalled RHP Emerson Hancock from Tacoma Rainiers.
  • RHP Emerson Hancock roster status changed by Seattle Mariners.
  • Seattle Mariners invited non-roster RHP Emerson Hancock to spring training.

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