After high school, Hancock played college baseball for the University of Georgia Bulldogs for three years.[2] As a freshman at Georgia in 2018, Hancock started 15 games, going 6–4 with a 5.10 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 77+2⁄3 innings.[3][4][5] As a sophomore in 2019, he went 8–3 in 14 starts with a 1.99 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 90+1⁄3 innings. He was named a second-team All-American by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, D1Baseball.com, and Perfect Game.[6] After the season, he was invited to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team[7] but was not selected for the team's roster.[8] In 2020, he went 2–0 in four starts before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He received the Vince Dooley Athlete Of The Year as the best male Georgia athlete.[6]
Professional career
Hancock was selected sixth overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.[9] He signed with the Mariners on June 25, 2020, receiving a $5.7 million signing bonus.[10] He reported to the team's alternate training site before the shortened 2020 season but experienced shoulder fatigue after his first throwing session and was shut down for the season.[11][12]
Hancock made his professional debut in 2021 with the High-A WestEverett AquaSox.[13] Hancock was selected for the 2021 All-Star Futures Game,[14] but a shoulder injury kept him out of the game.[15] He was promoted to the Double-AArkansas Travelers in August.[16] In 12 starts with the two teams, he went 3–1 with a 2.62 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 44+2⁄3 innings.[17] His season ended in early September due to another shoulder injury.[18] Hancock returned to Arkansas to start 2023, making 20 starts and posting an 11–5 record and 4.32 ERA with 107 strikeouts across 98 innings pitched.[19]
On August 9, 2023, the Mariners selected Hancock's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[20] He made his MLB debut that night starting against the San Diego Padres. He pitched 5 innings, giving up 2 hits, 1 earned run, and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts.[21] On August 20, Hancock was removed from a start against the Houston Astros with a right shoulder strain.[22] He was placed on the injured list on August 21,[23] and one day later, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list, again ending his season early. In 3 starts for Seattle in 2023, he had a 4.50 ERA with 6 strikeouts in 12 innings of work.[24]
Emerson was the Mariners sixth starter in 2024, splitting time between the Mariners, the Triple-ATacoma Rainiers, and the injured list. He was in the starting rotation on Opening Day and made seven starts with a 5.24 ERA before being optioned to Tacoma on May 8, just before Bryan Woo made his season debut.[25][26] Hancock returned to Seattle on June 13 for a spot start, allowing 2 runs in 7 innings before being abruptly sent back to the minors.[27] He returned to Seattle for another spot start on July 6, taking the loss after 4 innings of work,[26] and was again ticketed back to Tacoma.[28] He returned to the Mariners on September 13, filling in for the injured Luis Castillo.[29] In three starts to close out the year, Hancock had a 4.70 ERA in 15+1⁄3 innings. He finished the season with a 4–4 record with a 4.75 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 60+2⁄3 innings.[26]
Personal life
Hancock and his wife Haylie were married on November 18, 2023.[30] He is the son of Don and Mona Hancock.[6]
