Billy Cook Makes Immediate Impression in MLB Debut for Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The turnaround for Billy Cook to gear up for his major-league debut was quick, but his ability to make a strong first impression was even faster.

The Pirates selected Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to their 7-3 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon. The 25-year-old Cook had only arrived at the stadium roughly two hours before first pitch.

After making the three-plus hour drive from Toledo, the city in which Indianapolis played on Saturday, Cook was in the Pirates’ lineup at first base and batting seventh in the lineup for his first game in the big leagues.

“It meant everything,”  he said on his debut. “This is what I worked really hard for, dreamed about as a little kid, talked to my family and friends about. It still feels surreal to be here, but I’m glad it happened. We’ll keep going. You get one debut, that’s what they all say. It was definitely one to remember.”

Cook, who was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline, was immediately tested in the top of the first inning.

The third batter of the game was Nationals designated hitter Andrés Chaparro, who popped one into foul ground on the first base side. It looked like the ball was headed out of play, but Cook had just enough room to crash into the netting on the first-base railing and secure the catch.

Billy Cook crashes into the netting to make a highlight reel play!

Quite the first impression for the @Pirates rookie. 😤 pic.twitter.com/9p7kGUH01g

— MLB (@MLB) September 8, 2024

Though he was stationed at first base, Cook has plenty of experience in the outfield as a minor-leaguer. That experience helped him make the highlight-reel grab.

As if the catch wasn’t enough to make for a memorable MLB debut, Cook came up big in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning.

The Pirates had already jumped out to a 2-1 lead and had two runners on and two outs for Cook. After fouling off Patrick Corbin’s first offering, Cook brought in both runs with a double that landed just inside the left field line and bounced over the wall for his first hit and first two RBIs.

Billy Cook's first big league plate appearance is a two-run double!!! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/sPWJaH2WQP

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 8, 2024

Cook added a base hit in the to open the eighth for his second hit of the game. He finished the afternoon 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs and a likely spot on Sports Center’s top 10 plays on Monday morning.

“I think he makes a great impression for Pirates fans when he dives into the stands for his first putout and then comes up and hits a double,” manager Derek Shelton said. “Overall, really good debut. Give him a ton of credit. You have to get up in the morning and drive from Toledo, get here at 11:30, go out and take ground balls at 11:45 and play in your first major-league game. Did a nice job.”

Cook had been performing well at Indianapolis ever since he was acquired at the end of July. In 30 games, he hit .276/.389/.486 with seven doubles, five homers, 21 RBIs and nine steals and hit a grand slam on Saturday in Toledo.

In addition to his offense, one of the appealing attributes about Cook is his defensive versatility. He obviously can play first and he’s bounced around the diamond despite being drafted as an outfielder.

“The fact that Billy’s versatile gives up options,” Shelton explained. “He can play all three (outfield spots). He’s played first, he’s played some second, so it gives us some options of when we can give guys some days off and how we’re going, so I think we’ll look through that the rest of the homestand and the rest of the year.”

While Cook understandably thought his first chance in the big leagues would come with the Orioles, the team that drafted him in the 10th round in 2021, he’s happy the moment finally happened with Pittsburgh.

“And here I am, in a different uniform, playing for a different team – and it’s worked out great,” he said. “You never know what the opportunity is, so you just put yourself in a spot to make it happen. That’s kind of the approach I took and will keep taking.”