While Saturday's Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres spring training contest was all about the professional debut of M's pitcher Kade Anderson, it was another Seattle hurler who ended up impressing: Right-hander Emerson Hancock.

The former first-round pick out of Georgia went 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out four. He featured high-end velocity, averaging 96.3 mph, while also flashing his changeup, sinker and sweeper.

As good as he's looked this spring, there are still questions about how he ultimately fits into the M's plans in 2026. Here's what you need to know and consider:

Now 26 years old, Hancock has played a valuable role for the M's each of the last two years, serving as an injury replacement in the starting rotation. He went 4-4 in 12 starts in 2024 and then went 4-5 in 22 appearances (16 starts) in 2025. The Mariners moved him to the bullpen at the end of the season and he made the playoff roster. 

The cases for Hancock as a reliever are pretty simple:

1) He's proven all he needs to in Triple-A. He's served his time in the minor leagues, and now it's time to give him a consistent runway in the big leagues. He's shown he can get major league hitters out, especially in small sample sizes. He'd also be a valuable long relief option in the 'pen and help alleviate the stress on some of the other arms down there.

2) His stuff plays up. As evidenced by his dominance over 2.2 innings, Hancock can get guys out in small samples and one time through the order. His velocity plays up in shorter outings and for a team looking for a sixth inning or long relief option, he could be a good one.

3) He has options remaining. The Mariners bullpen as a whole in inflexible, filled with guys who are out of options. While Hancock assuredly would not love being able to ride the Tacoma shuttle, the flexibility of a final bullpen spot is vital to the team.

As mentioned, the M's bullpen is inflexible. It's quite possible that the Mariners have to keep Cooper Criswell as a depth option in the bullpen because he's out of options, which could force Hancock to Triple-A to serve as the immediate starting rotation depth.

And given the current uncertainty around Bryce Miller's oblique discomfort, there's a chance that depth could be needed sooner rather than later.

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