Mariners fans aren't ready to see Emerson Hancock pumping gas in new role

The Seattle Mariners made a bold move by calling up Emerson Hancock and transitioning him into a reliever role, and early signs suggest it could finally unlock the potential fans have long been waiting to see since he was taken sixth overall in the 2020 MLB Draft.

Once viewed as a key piece of the rotation’s future, Hancock struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter due to injuries, inconsistent command, and disappointing velocity compared to expectations when he was drafted.

The radar gun has become Emerson Hancock's friend since moving to the bullpen

But something has clearly changed since moving to the bullpen, with Hancock now suddenly lighting up the radar gun. He touched 99 mph while pitching for Triple-A Tacoma, a feat only four Mariners pitchers have achieved this season.

Hancock himself expressed optimism in his new role, stating that his body feels good and is bouncing back despite the sudden transition. He even went on to say that he is peaking at the right time.

While his relief debut against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday didn’t go as planned — he hit 98.1 mph and struck out two, but gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits — it was a messy game overall and it was his first taste of MLB relief work, so it would be premature to judge him on a single outing. The fact that he is now showing elite velocity should give Seattle fans hope that he can grow into this role quickly.

For Mariners fans, this development comes as a pleasant surprise. Hancock has been a source of frustration since being drafted in the first round five years ago, largely because he hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations that came with his pedigree and excellent history of Mariners pitching development.

Instead of continuing to force him into a starting role, the Mariners have pivoted and given him a new opportunity to contribute in a way that could prove highly valuable down the stretch. If Hancock continues flashing upper-90s velocity and settles into the bullpen, Seattle may have uncovered another solid mid-to-late inning option for Dan Wilson.

After a few years of looking like nothing more than a back-of-the-rotation arm, Hancock might finally prove to Mariners fans that he was worth the sixth overall pick in 2020, just in perhaps a slightly different role.