The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted versatile prospect Billy Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis for Sunday’s game vs. the Washington Nationals. Cook was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in a late trade deadline day deal for minor league pitcher Patrick Reilly. The road to the big time was paved for Cook when the Pirates placed catcher Henry Davis on the injured list retroactive to September 5.
OF Billy Cook has been promoted from the Triple-A @indyindians to the @Pirates#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/ZeAjHQyaAX
— Pittsburgh Pirates Player Development Report (@PGHplayerDev) September 8, 2024
Pirates Promote Versatile Prospect Cook from Triple-A
Entering Sunday at a disappointing 66-76, Pirates fans have clamored for their favorite team to “play the kids.” They’ve been especially anxious to see Cook and another deadline acquisition, Nick Yorke. This is the move they’ve been waiting for, although it’s likely to take a temporary back seat to a Steelers Sunday.
Cook, 25, is ranked as the Pirates’ No. 24 prospect. The Bucs traded a higher-ranking prospect to get a prospect who filled a positional need while being closer to the majors. Primarily an outfielder, Cook can also play all over the infield. When the Pirates acquired him, he had completed a hot July for Triple-A Norfolk, hitting .389/.436/.778. A regression to the mean had to be expected, and indeed, for Indianapolis, he’s hit .276/.389/.486, 5 HR, and 21 RBI, while stealing nine bases in 10 attempts. Cook has played all three outfield positions and first base for Indy.
Manager Derek Shelton, who changes lineups frequently and values on-base percentage (although you couldn’t tell, judging from how the Pirates hitters have performed), should find plenty of opportunities for the versatile Cook. Shelton didn’t post Sunday’s starting lineup until about 30 minutes before game time, perhaps waiting for Cook’s arrival. With left-hander Patrick Corbin starting for the Nats, the right-handed hitting Cook was in the order, hitting seventh.
What Can Billy Cook Up?
(Hey, not all these headings can be gems!) What to expect from Cook now that he’s in the majors will be interesting. He’s projected as a utility player but let’s not be so sure. He’s been defying his relatively low prospect ranking all year long. With an intriguing combination of speed and power, he may be looking at a long major-league career. Some guys just overachieve.
If Cook catches on as the right-handed half of the Pirates’ first-base platoon, the versatile Connor Joe would have to fight for playing time in the outfield. Joe has hit a disappointing .231/.321/.376, 9 HR, and 35 RBI at the close of Saturday’s action. It frankly wouldn’t hurt the Pirates if Cook edges Joe out of a job.
The Last Word
Meanwhile, 2024 is a year Davis would just as soon forget. Davis was recalled on August 25 when No. 1 catcher Joey Bart went on the injured list. When Bart was reactivated on Friday, Davis got a reprieve when Billy McKinney was designated for assignment. It left the Pirates in the unusual position of carrying three catchers, an indication that Davis might get some run. This left-hand inflammation injury is just the latest on a laundry list of unfortunate setbacks for Davis. The former No. 1 draft pick was hitting just .144/.242/.212 with one lone homer and five RBI. His chance to make an impression in 2024 might now be gone. He’ll enter spring training competing with Bart and Endy Rodriguez for a roster spot.
Postscript: At press time, Cook garnered his first major league hit in his first at-bat, a two-run double down the left-field line.
Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
