Mariners' Emerson Hancock's surprise season may get him an All-Star nod

One of the most surprising things about the Seattle Mariners season is the emergence of right-hander Emerson Hancock. 

In his fourth season with the Mariners, Hancock is getting a chance to pitch in the starting rotation and has an ERA under 4.00 for the first time in his career (3.28). In the past two seasons, the 27-year-old posted a 4.75 ERA in 12 starts in 2024 and a 4.90 ERA in 22 games (16 starts). 

Emerson Hancock has been the best pitcher on the Seattle Mariners pitching staff

Hancock's 3.28 ERA is the lowest on the starting staff, with the Mariners' top three: Logan Gilbert (3.62), Bryan Woo (4.28) and George Kirby (4.07) having higher ERAs. Hancock also owns the lowest WHIP (1.02) and allowed the fewest earned runs (29) on the starting staff. 

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A part of a six-man rotation, Hancock is likely to be one of the Mariners' representatives at the Mid-Summer Classic in July, with a chance to maybe be in the running to start the game. 

"Within a six-man group that already includes four previous All-Stars, it's Hancock who's emerged as the likeliest to be a selection to this year's Midsummer Classic," wrote MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. "Entering Sunday, he leads the team with a 2.74 ERA, and more telling, the club is 8-5 in his starts. The former Georgia Bulldog has always had potential, as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. And though it's taken a little longer, he firmly looks the part."

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