Mariners bullpen project has hit a low point in the best way possible

Colorado Rockies v Seattle Mariners | Steph Chambers/GettyImagesThe Seattle Mariners’ pitching staff has always been a source of intrigue, both for its uncanny ability to churn out young arms and its willingness to experiment when the situation calls for it. But even by their standards, Emerson Hancock’s transformation into a bullpen weapon has been one of the more surprising developments of the 2025 season.

A former first-round pick with a starter’s pedigree, Hancock had bounced around the edges of Seattle’s rotation, flashing moments of promise while also showing the inconsistency that often comes with young arms. The front office, however, saw an opportunity to reimagine him as a…