The Seattle Mariners drafted University of Georgia right-handed pitcher Emerson Hancock with the sixth overall pick of the MLB Draft on Wednesday night.
Hancock, 21, entered the draft after his junior season at Georgia was cut short by the suspension of spring college sports due to the effects of the coronavirus. Hancock had made four starts for the Bulldogs and had posted a 2-0 record with a 2.75 ERA. During his last full college season at Georgia, Hancock went 8-3 with a 1.99 ERA. He struck out 97 batters in just 90.1 innings pitched and allowed a batting average against of just .185. He held opponents to one run or less in nine of his 14 starts with four outings without allowing a single run.
For his college career, Hancock went 16-7 with a 3.47 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 33 starts.
“Emerson is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound power arm with 4 plus-pitches and plus-command,” said Scott Hunter, the Mariners director of amateur scouting, in a statement. “His combination of stuff, strike-throwing and size profiles him as a true top-of-the-rotation starter. We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to select such a special talent with the sixth pick.”
Hancock represents the third straight year the Mariners have selected a college pitcher with their first round selection. Hancock joins Logan Gilbert (2018, Stetson University) and George Kirby (2019, Elon University) as college arms selected by Seattle.
Hancock was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 38th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, but did not sign.
Photo Credit: Graphic courtesy of the Seattle Mariners.