In more ways than one, the Seattle Mariners are headed for starting pitching discussions that are confusing, uncomfortable and layered.

On one hand, Bryce Miller is working back from his rehab assignment. What happens when he's ready to return? Does the team bounce Emerson Hancock from the rotation, despite him having a rotation-best 2.86 ERA? Does the team bounce Luis Castillo, who has struggled to the tune of a 6.35, but is due nearly $50 million over the next two years? Or do they go with a six-man rotation?

If the team does bounce Hancock from the rotation, do they keep him stretched out in Triple-A or do they send him to the bullpen? Does that decision changed based on the injury situation to Matt Brash, who left Wednesday's game against the Twins with right side discomfort?

And how about top prospect Kade Anderson, who has allowed just one run in more than 18 innings at Double-A Arkansas? Is he a factor in the rotation, or the bullpen, if Brash is out?

There's certainly a lot for the Mariners to figure out, but one thing is for certain: noted pitching analyst Nick Pollack, the founder of 'Pitcher List,' is a big fan of Hancock - and is not a fan of any scenario that puts him in the bullpen.

He made the comments on the most recent edition of the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast.

"He's great. I think, I think this is, this is hilarious. I was so out on Emerson Hancock because I didn't know he had this four-seam. But then he went to driveline, fixed it. And right now, the problem that he has is the sweeper, cutter, changeup are not doing enough as supporting cast members. The changeup and the sweeper are below 48 percent strikes. I mean, it's 45 and 43, which is absurdly low. What you want is like a 60 strike rate on every secondary pitch. I'll even take like a 57, 55. But underneath 50 is just—no, man, you're messing something up...

But the thing is, every single pitcher in the majors wants to have Emerson Hancock's fastball, to have a foundational pitch that you throw 35% of the time, that is a strike 76% of the time, with a 20% swing strike rate is elite. And it's not because of luck here, he's locating it beautifully. It's at 95. It has that flat attack angle I was just talking about. It has good two-plane movement. I love this pitch. And I think that it would be foolish to see this, which is not a overwhelming arsenal, it's not the big-time velocity or big time breaker that you need in a bullpen...this is the the foundation of a starter. And  can you just never say those words again? (about him going in the bullpen).

Hancock is scheduled to pitch on Saturday night as the Mariners take on the Kansas City Royals. It will also be the night that Randy Johnson gets his No. 51 retired by the organization. 

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