Former Cairo High standout Emerson Hancock pitched 4 2/3 hitless innings in his Double-A debut on Wednesday night.

Hancock, the Seattle Mariners’ No. 2 prospect, helped Arkansas win 14-4 over Springfield.

Hancock, who was taken with the No. 6 pick overall by the Mariners last year, struck out six and walked only one.

While he was with the High-A Everett Aquasox, Hancock went 2-0 with a 2.32 ERA in nine starts. He struck out 30 in 31 innings.

Hancock was chosen to play the All-Star Futures Game, but he was forced to miss it along with a month of the season with shoulder tenderness.

He returned on July 28 to pitch 1 1/3 innings. He pitched 3 2/3 innings on Aug. 4 before getting the promotion to Double-A. 

Kevin Price can be reached at 229-226-2400, ext. 1820