Could this be the next step in Hancock’s career?
The Mariners have recalled RHP Emerson Hancock from the Tacoma Rainiers this morning. In a corresponding move, Sauryn Lao has been optioned down to Tacoma.
Hancock has found himself in a weird place in the Mariners organization. For the last couple of years, he’s been the “sixth man,” the first pitcher up if any of the starters ahead of him would be unable to make a start. With the bevy of starting pitching injuries suffered by Mariners starters this year, he’s had to make a number of spot starts and was even briefly in the rotation himself. He’s made 15 starts this year, and they haven’t all gone his way. He’s earned himself a 5.47 ERA at the major league level this year, with a 5.63 FIP.
But, for the moment (knock on wood), the Mariners rotation is healthy, if not always effective. So what’s Hancock doing with the big league club? Well, for the past week, Emerson has been making appearances out of the Tacoma bullpen. He’s never been a reliever before, but this new look may make him a reliable contributor at the major league level. In his two relief appearances for the Rainiers, his fastball has averaged 97.0 mph, and has even hit 99.1. When making starts, he averaged 94.7 on his four-seamer, topping out at 97.8. But if he only has to pitch one inning, he can empty the tank and suddenly become a velo guy. Real heads will remember that this is the transition Matt Brash made back in 2022.
Meanwhile, poor Sauryn Lao is headed back down to the Minors. He’s made only appearances at the Major League level, having been called up in both April and August to pitch about an inning and a half. He got rocked pretty hard in his more recent appearance on the 20th, giving up 3 runs, including a two run blast to Kyle Schwarber. Both his games have been on the road, too. Maybe one day he’ll get the chance to pitch in front of the T-Mobile Park faithful, but until then he’s back to toiling away in the minor league mines in Tacoma.
Category: General Sports
