The Seattle Mariners have made a major move in the MLB offseason, announcing the promotion of their top pitching prospect Emerson Hancock. The 21-year-old right-hander is expected to make his major league debut in 2021 and could be a major contributor to the Mariners’ success this season.
Hancock was drafted by the Mariners in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He has been impressive in the minor leagues, posting a 3.20 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in his first two professional seasons. He has also shown impressive control, walking just 16 batters in his first two seasons.
Hancock features a four-pitch mix, including a mid-90s fastball, a sharp curveball, a changeup, and a slider. His fastball has been clocked as high as 97 mph and he has shown excellent command of all four pitches. He has the potential to be an elite starter at the major league level.
The Mariners are hoping that Hancock can help lead them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. They have struggled in recent years, but they have a strong core of young players that could help turn things around. With Hancock joining the rotation, the Mariners could have one of the best pitching staffs in the American League.
Hancock is one of the most highly-touted pitching prospects in recent memory and his promotion is a major step forward for the Mariners organization. He could be an ace for years to come and could help lead the Mariners back to the playoffs. It will be exciting to see what he can do at the major league level.
