Scouting report: Mariners' Emerson Hancock
MiLB.com's Scouting Report series spotlights players who are just starting their professional careers, focusing on what the experts are projecting for these young phenoms. Here's a look at third-ranked Mariners prospect Emerson Hancock. For more player journeys on The Road to The Show, click here. The Mariners have been lauded
MiLB.com's Scouting Report series spotlights players who are just starting their professional careers, focusing on what the experts are projecting for these young phenoms. Here's a look at third-ranked Mariners prospect Emerson Hancock. For more player journeys on The Road to The Show, click here.
The Mariners have been lauded for their outfield duo of Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, and rightfully so. Yet their system goes far deeper than two of the best young hitters the game has to offer. That's where Emerson Hancock and his prized right arm enter the picture.
Selected sixth overall in last year's Draft, the 22-year-old came into his own during his sophomore season at the University of Georgia. After going 8-3 with a 1.99 ERA, an 0.84 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings, teams took notice. A somewhat uneven start to the abbreviated 2020 collegiate campaign might have cost Hancock a chance at being the top overall selection -- he was ranked the 14th-best prospect heading into the Draft -- but still finished his Georgia career with a 16-7 record and 3.47 ERA in 33 starts. The Thomasville, Ga., native struck out 206 and walked 55 in 192 innings. He was also named the 2020 Vince Dooley Athlete of the Year as the school’s top male student-athlete.
The moment Emerson Hancock found out he was coming to Seattle. 🙌 #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/rRE60yVf5R
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 11, 2020
Even with an impressive array of statistics and projectability attached to his name, the No. 3 Mariners prospect impressed in other ways.
“It’s easy to dream on Emerson Hancock because of the person, but also the ability and work ethic,” Mariners amateur scouting direction Scott Hunter told MLB.com after the Draft. “I was so impressed with him when I went down to Athens, Ga., last January and spent about two hours with him and when we talked to him on the phone as recently as two months ago. The maturity, the whole person and player is really remarkable. ... This is a kid who fits into everything we’re doing as Seattle Mariners.”
Standing 6-foot-4, 213 pounds, Hancock features a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and has topped out at 99 mph. He compliments his heater with a strong slider and hard curveball. Although his changeup is a rarely used pitch, it's shown potential should the organization decide to push its development.
Known for an intensity on the mound reserved more for position players than pitchers, Hancock credits his father with helping him find a good balance to his competitive nature when he's on the mound.
"My dad always told me when I was younger you've got to be the calmest player on the field, being the pitcher," Hancock told MLB.com last year. "And I kind of bought into that. But at the same time, there's a competitive and a fiery side that you have. You want to win. And so I've kind of had to walk that fine line, between being under control but also being locked in, being ready, being focused for every pitch."
Thanks in large part to his maturity and college background, Seattle assigned Hancock to High-A Everett to begin his professional career. The right-hander responded positively, allowing one earned run or less in four of his first five starts while holding opponents to a .167 average.
"I didn't meet Emerson until January, but had heard and knew all about his potential," Hunter told MiLB.com last summer. "He was a top college guy with [first-overall pick] potential. We did our due diligence, but after meeting him, I commented that I didn't think there would be any way we'd have a shot at him. To me, this is the easy one. Emerson had plusses across the board, he's already an elite strike thrower ... but we already knew that. Meeting him gave me the chance to realize he's a terrific kid."
Scouting grades (20-80 scale)
FASTBALL: 65
CURVEBALL: 55
SLIDER: 60
CHANGEUP: 60
CONTROL: 55
OVERALL: 55
"A top high school pitching prospect in Georgia in 2017, Hancock’s commitment to the University of Georgia kept him from being seriously considered in that year’s Draft. For much of 2019, he was the best pitcher in college baseball, though he missed time with a lat issue. He didn’t get to pitch much in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season but was still considered to be one of the best arms in the class. He was taken No. 6 overall by the Mariners, the third straight college right-hander taken in the first round by the organization, signing for $5.7 million, then worked sparingly at the M’s alternate training site over the summer.
Hancock has the chance to have four at least above-average pitches when all is said and done. It starts with his fastball, thrown 94-99 mph. It’s actually fastballs, plural, now because in addition to the hard riding and running heater up in the zone, he’s worked to add a hard running, sinking two-seamer, thrown with the same velocity.
All three of his secondary offerings can be plus at times, with his mid-80s slider serving as an out pitch ahead of his power curve he used more as a prep standout. His changeup features excellent fade and he commands it well, giving him a third plus pitch right now. He’s a good athlete who can throw all of his pitches for strikes. Some minor tenderness over the summer made the Mariners err on the side of caution during Summer Camp, but if he stays healthy, he has the chance to pitch near the top of a rotation."
Michael Avallone is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MavalloneMiLB.
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition: