Grading the Mariners last 5 first round draft picks

2020 First round pick: Emerson Hancock, RHP (University of Georgia), 6th overall pick

Emerson Hancock came with a lot of hype behind him. That happens when you're the sixth overall pick, but he always had an uphill climb ahead of him. 2020 was a chaotic year, and one that did not have Minor League Baseball. His development was slow out of the gate, and none of that is his fault. Even though he started behind, Hancock made his Major League debut with the Mariners in 2023, before a shoulder injury ended his 2023 campaign.

This year, Hancock started the year in the rotation for the Mariners filling in for injured starter Bryan Woo. Hancock has been a bit inconsistent in his short career. He has pitched to a 4.71 ERA (5.14 FIP) in 57.1 career innings. That is a small sample size for sure, and Hancock still has a long career ahead of him. In June of 2024, he won the Pitcher of the Month award for the PCL in AAA and has been called up to make a spot start here and there for Bryan Woo.

The 2020 Draft was a weird one. Only four players that were drafted in 2020 have been an All-Star, and the Mariners could have drafted all four of them. Garrett Crochet (CWS 10th overall), Jordan Westburg (BAL 30th overall), Spencer Strider (ATL 126th overall), and Bryce Elder (ATL 156th overall) are the players the Mariners could have taken. Can you imagine Spencer Strider pitching for the Mariners? In this rotation? My goodness.

Overall, Hancock still has alot to prove. He has been valuable for the Mariners, and he still has some serious potential. For now, I will give this selection a solid B. The book is still open on Emerson Hancock, and expectations are still high for the former 6th overall pick.