Mariners' Hancock poised to break through in 2026

The young Seattle pitcher is gaining national recognition for his hot start to the season.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, capturing the unique mechanics that have made Emerson Hancock a breakout star.Hancock's unorthodox pitching mechanics have made him a rising star in the AL Cy Young race.Los Angeles Today

Emerson Hancock, a 26-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, has thrown two masterful outings to start the 2026 MLB season. Despite a 1-1 record and a 0.71 ERA, Hancock has shown impressive stuff, including a four-seam fastball with an average rise of 13 inches due to his lower arm angle. The former first-round pick in 2020 has already appeared in national media discussions about the AL Cy Young race, as the Mariners hope his strong pitching can help offset their slow-starting offense.

Why it matters

Hancock's early-season success has put him on the national radar as a potential breakout star in 2026. If he can sustain this level of performance, he could emerge as a top-tier starting pitcher and anchor the Mariners' rotation, helping the team compete in the tough AL East despite their current offensive struggles.

The details

In his first two starts of 2026, Hancock has been nearly flawless. On March 29, he threw a no-hit, one-walk masterclass against the Cleveland Guardians. Then on April 4, he took a tough-luck loss against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing just one earned run. While his four-seam fastball only reaches 94 mph, Hancock's lower 13-degree arm angle gives the pitch an average rise of 13 inches, making it an effective out pitch. The former first-round pick in 2020 has already generated buzz, with ESPN projecting him to continue his strong start and potentially enter the AL Cy Young race.

  • On March 29, Hancock threw a no-hit, one-walk masterclass against the Cleveland Guardians.
  • On April 4, Hancock took a tough-luck loss against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing just one earned run.

The players

Emerson Hancock

A 26-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, who was a first-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.

Seattle Mariners

The MLB team that Emerson Hancock plays for, currently 4-8 and 2.5 games back in the American League East.

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The takeaway

Emerson Hancock's hot start to the 2026 MLB season has put him on the national radar as a potential breakout star. If he can sustain this level of performance, he could emerge as a top-tier starting pitcher and help the struggling Seattle Mariners compete in the tough AL East division.