Mariners to call up top pitching prospect
Surging Mariners promote Emerson Hancock, Woo to IL
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The Mariners will call up their top pitching prospect, Emerson Hancock. Hancock was the 6th overal pick in the 2020 draft out of the University of Georgia. According to MLB Pipeline, Emerson is the 4th ranked prospect in the Mariners organization. According to Ryan Divish, the Mariners will not make the annuncement official until Wednesday.
Per sources … Mariners will make the announcement today. But likely won’t make the official move till Wednesday. https://t.co/3pN24xcQih
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) August 8, 2023
Through 98 innings in AA Arkansas, Hancock pitched to a 4.32 ERA, 3.5 BB/9 and a 9.8 K/9. While he got off to a rough start this season, Since June 6th, he has pitched to a 2.99 ERA.That includes a game where he gave up 9 earned runs over 1.2 innings. He was named the Mariners Minor League Pitcher of the Month in June, and Texas League Pitcher of the week (June 26-July 2) by Minor League Baseball.
Now, Emerson is a starting pitcher. Could the Mariners deploy a 6 man rotation once he is called up? Maybe. Our site lead here at SoDo Mojo, Chris O'Day, had a an idea that makes a lot of sense. Maybe Emerson spells Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo here and there. With more scheduled off days in the future, I thought that really was a good idea. But, as it turns out, Bryan Woo is headed to the Injured List with Elbow Inflamation. The same injury Marco Gonzales has been dealing with, though we do not know the sevarity of Woo's injury just yet.
With Woo headed to the IL today, and the Hancock move not expected until Wednesday, you can easily point to Emerson Hancock making his debut as Wednesday's starter. In the meantime, The Mariners selected the contract of RHP Ryder Ryan from AAA Tacoma. Ryan, 28, will be making his MLB debut when he appears in a game. He has pitched to a 3.54 ERA over 40.2 innings, striking out 40 along the way. The Mariners also claimed RHP Ryan Jensen from the Cubs, while DFA'ing Matt Festa. Jensen has struggled this season in both AA and AAA for the Cubs.
Emerson Hancock since June 6th
— Broken Mariners Fan (@IISwitchII) August 8, 2023
10 Starts, 57.2 IP, 2.97 ERA, 3.40 FIP
8.9 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 0.6 HR/9, .222 BAA pic.twitter.com/4Ew5Jn6Nph
When the M's do officially add Hancock, they will need to send someone down. I would assume that to be either Ryder Ryan or Devin Sweet. Sweet has been up for a few weeks and only has pitched in two games. We hope that Woo's injury is just soreness, or a way to limit his innings. But I sure am excited to see Hancock make his debut. As always, Go Mariners!