Pirates All 40: Billy Cook’s Disappointing Season Cut Short
This is one in a series breaking down players on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.
Billy Cook appeared in only three games for the Pirates in 2025. He collected two hits in six at-bats and scored a run, but other than that short stint in the big leagues in June, spent most of the year with Triple-A Indianapolis.
The Pirates acquired Cook from the Baltimore Orioles at the 2024 trade deadline and was having a strong year at Triple-A between his time with both organizations. Pittsburgh got a look at Cook late last season, when he provided quality defense and hit three home runs in 18 games.
But Cook was unable to replicate his minor-league success this past season with Indianapolis. In 94 games, the 26-year-old slashed .248/.323/.384 with 17 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 46 RBI and 13 steals. His 90 wRC+ fell well short of his 132 wRC+ in 30 games with Indianapolis last season and his 126 wRC+ in 70 games at Triple-A in Baltimore’s organization last year.
Cook was unable to try and turn around his season due to a hand injury suffered in early August that sidelined him for the rest of the season, leaving his future somewhat murky.
In addition to Cook, the Pirates have six other outfielders currently on their 40-man roster — Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, Jack Suwinski, Esmelrlyn Valdez, Jhostynxon García and Marco Luciano. And the expectation is the Pirates will add at least one outfielder this offseason.
With a depth of outfielders on the roster, Cook could be expendable this offseason. The Pirates could look to try and trade him or might need his roster spot to make room for an external addition.
Though he’s had a solid track record in his minor-league career, Cook turns 27 next month. If he remains on the roster, he’ll likely be on the outside looking in when the Pirates finalize their roster out of spring training. If that’s the case, he’ll have to perform at a high level with Indianapolis to earn his first true extended look in the big leagues.
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