Pirates All 40: Billy Cook Shows Some Promise After Debut

This is one in a series of stories breaking down members of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.

One of the many moves the Pittsburgh Pirates made during this year’s trade deadline was acquiring Billy Cook from the Baltimore Orioles. In exchange, the Pirates dealt away promising pitching prospect Patrick Reilly, who was drafted in the fifth round out of Vanderbilt in 2023.

Cook gave the Pirates an option in two areas of need — both at first base and in the outfield.

After spending the first few weeks of his tenure in the Pirates’ organization with Triple-A Indianapolis, Cook was promoted to the big leagues for the first time in September for the final few weeks of the season.

The 25-year-old split time relatively evenly between the three outfield spots and first base and proved to be as sure-handed as they come. Despite playing in just 17 games in the field, Cook accumulated a whopping six defensive runs saved, finishing plus-two in the category in all three outfield spots.

On offense, power was Cook’s best attribute over his small taste of the game’s top level. Across 49 plate appearances, Cook belted three home runs, the first of which was a three-run home run off of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore to erase a two-run deficit.

Despite taking a big step forward at the plate during the minor-league season, Cook still has things to work on as he gears up for year two with the Pirates. Cook struck out 19 times after he was promoted to the big leagues and didn’t draw a walk.

When he did make contact, Cook hit the ball hard as evident by an exceptional 92.6 mph exit velocity.

Though his role is still to be determined based off of how the offseason unfolds, Cook will have an impact on the Pirates in some way in 2025.

Background

• Cook was drafted by the Orioles in the 10th round of the 2021 draft out of Pepperdine University and signed for $100,000. He made the first-team All-WCC during his senior season of college.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Cook from the Orioles for right-handed pitcher Patrick Reilly on July 30, 2024.
• Cook is rated as Pittsburgh Baseball Now’s No. 18 prospect.
• Across four minor-league seasons between the Orioles and Pirates, Cook has hit .251/.332/.455 with 69 doubles, 12 triples, 62 home runs, 249 RBIs and 90 steals in 377 games. He was named the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of Sep. 10, 2023.
• In 20 games with Triple-A Indianapolis between his acquisition and the time of his promotion, Cook slashed .276/.398/.486 with seven doubles, five home runs, 21 RBIs and nine steals.
• Contract status: Cook is pre-arbitration eligible.