Hancock 'flat-out huge' for Seattle Mariners rotation

Where would the Seattle Mariners be without Emerson Hancock?

That’s probably not a question many were expecting to hear after two months into the season. But it’s a fair one to ask due to what the right-hander has given the M’s this season.

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Once the odd man out in the rotation, Hancock has been a steadying presence while providing valuable innings to a group that has dealt with key injuries to George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller. His 62 1/3 innings pitched and five quality starts this season each rank third on the team behind Bryan Woo and Luis Castillo.

Hancock, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, was at his best on Sunday, tossing seven shutout innings of two-hit ball as the Mariners beat the Guardians 6-0 to secure a three-game sweep.

“With the injuries that we’ve had to the starters and the role that he has played, he stepped right up, and giving us seven (innings) today was huge – it’s just flat-out huge,” manager Dan Wilson said Sunday. “And I think we’ve talked about it a lot, he’s got good stuff. He’s got the 95-plus (fastball) with the sink to it, he’s got the four-seamer, he’s got the changeup and slider. But it’s more his approach mentally, and you could see it again today. He just was out there attacking, and it was a special outing for him today.”

‘Take what it gives you’

Part of Hancock’s mental approach is try and remain as even-keel as possible. Whether it’s a good start like Sunday’s or a bad one like his first outing of the season, he’s ready to move on to the next game.

“I just think you gotta be the same no matter the highs or the lows,” he said after Sunday’s start. “You’re trying to be the same person every day, you’re trying to be as consistent as possible. And for me, the only thing I’m concerned with is giving us a chance to win, and doing everything I can for the guys in the clubhouse and going out there and doing my part.”

Hancock has certainly been giving his team a chance to win, especially lately.

The stellar outing against Cleveland was the latest in a string of strong starts for the right-hander. The University of Georgia product has 1.53 ERA over 17 2/3 innings in three June starts. He’s lowered his season ERA over one run from 5.64 to 4.48 during stretch.

“I think it’s great and I think it’s good for, like, I guess confidence,” Hancock said of how he can build off his results on the mound. “But at the same time, it’s good to just show that you can go and execute. But again, it’s on to the next one.”

Hancock’s 4.48 ERA on the season is a bit misleading, too. His first start of the year was disastrous, as he allowed six runs while recording just two outs. Hancock was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma afterwards but has posted a 3.65 ERA in his 11 starts since returning to the majors April 17. The Mariners are 7-4 in those games.

During Sunday’s start, Hancock was ultra-efficient while on the attack early and often against a Cleveland lineup that has had its share of struggles. He was 16 for 22 on first-pitch strikes and needed just 85 pitches to get through seven innings, which tied his career high.

“We want to be aggressive with the first-pitch strikes and we want to throw as many strikes as possible,” Hancock said. “And again, for me, some games you might not have as many strikeouts. You kind of got to take what it gives you.”

The game gave Hancock an opportunity in the Mariners’ rotation that didn’t seem to be there when spring training began, and he took it.

Hancock ‘flat-out huge’ for Seattle Mariners rotation

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