Former Georgia baseball pitcher called up to MLB

The Seattle Mariners have moved up a former Georgia Bulldogs baseball pitcher to the MLB.

According to multiple sources, former Georgia Bulldogs baseball pitcher Emerson Hancock is moving up to the MLB with the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners selected Hancock with the No. 6 pick in the 2020 MLB draft.

The 6-foot-4, 213-pound pitcher went to Cairo High School in Cairo, Georgia. Hancock has a 3.99 ERA over 44 starts in three seasons with AA baseball. Hancock has a 21-10 record over his minor league career.

The Seattle Mariners are 60-52 and are looking to make a push for the postseason. It is unclear what Hancock’s role will be in the MLB.

Hancock finished his college career at Georgia with a record of 16-7 and a career 3.47 ERA across 33 total appearances, which were all starts.

Former Georgia pitcher Emerson Hancock is expected to get a shot to throw in the MLB with Seattle. (Photo by Kristin M. Bradshaw)

Hancock has been pitching well in AA baseball. He impressed scouts enough with his performances with the Arkansas Travelers to earn a call up to the MLB.

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Two former UGA baseball players sign MLB contracts

Due to the 2020 MLB Draft being shortened to five rounds this year, a high number of collegiate standouts saw themselves go undrafted in last week’s draft. Two of those players are former Georgia Bulldogs Tucker Bradley and Cam Shepherd. Redshirt …

Due to the 2020 MLB Draft being shortened to five rounds this year, a high number of collegiate standouts saw themselves go undrafted in last week’s draft.

Two of those players are former Georgia Bulldogs Tucker Bradley and Cam Shepherd.

Redshirt junior outfielder Bradley and senior shortstop Shepherd, though, have both since signed with MLB teams.

Bradley signed with the Kansas City Royals and Shepherd with the Atlanta Braves.

Shepherd:

“These past four years at the University of Georgia wearing the G on my chest has been nothing short of a dream,” Shepherd posted on his Twitter. “The memories and the relationships I have built will last a lifetime. My family, coaches, teammates and friends have not only shaped my baseball career but helped me grow to be the person I am today. Thank you to Dawg Nation and everyone who gave me nothing but support along the way. I am excited to say that I have signed and will be continuing my baseball career with the Atlanta Braves. Playing professional baseball has been a goal of mine since I picked up a bat and to have the opportunity to play for my hometown team is a dream come true. Can’t wait to get back on the field and get started!”

Bradley:

“I am so blessed and excited to announce that I will have the opportunity to continue my baseball career with the Kansas City Royals! This has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy and to be able to continue my journey is everything I could have ever asked for,” Bradley tweeted earlier this week. “I want to thank UGA, my previous coaches, my family, and most importantly, my Faith for allowing me to pursue my dream.”

Georgia baseball’s Emerson Hancock the No. 6 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft

In Yesterday’s first-round of the 2020 MLB Draft, Georgia baseball ace-pitcher Emerson Hancock was drafted by the Seattle Mariners.

In Yesterday’s first-round of the 2020 MLB Draft, Georgia baseball ace-pitcher Emerson Hancock was selected by the Seattle Mariners with the No. 6 pick.

Hancock (6-4, 213) is from Cairo, Georgia, and was a star on the diamond for the Bulldogs the last two seasons. In the short 2020 season, Hancock registered a team-high 34 strikeouts, followed by a dominant sophomore season in 2019 where Hancock registered an 8-3 record with a 1.99 ERA (eight best in school history).

Hancock finished his career with a 16-7 record, 3.47 ERA in 33 appearances, all starts, with 206 strikeouts and 55 walks in 192 innings and becomes the highest drafted Georgia player in the MLB Draft since Derek Lilliquist was drafted No. 6 in 1987.

The draft resumes today, Thursday, June 11 at 5 p.m. ET with Rounds 2-5 on ESPN and the MLB Network.