{"id":115375,"date":"2026-03-09T21:33:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T01:33:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=115375"},"modified":"2026-03-09T21:33:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T01:33:26","slug":"billy-cook-having-underrated-pirates-spring-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/09\/billy-cook-having-underrated-pirates-spring-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Utility Man Having an Underrated Spring with the Pirates"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a handful of players making a run for an Opening Day roster spot. The likes of Nick Yorke<\/a>, Jake Mangum<\/a>, Rafael Flores<\/a>, and Jhostynxon Garc\u00eda<\/a> are in the running for bench\/platoon roles. However, another player is throwing their hat into the ring. Billy Cook<\/a> is having an under-the-radar spring training, and it may end up with an Opening Day nod with the Pirates.<\/p>\n

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Mar 11, 2025; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first base Billy Cook (25) is congratulated after he hit a home run during the third inning against the New York Yankees at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Billy Cook Gunning for Pirates Roster Spot This Spring<\/h2>\n

Let Billy Cook Cook<\/h3>\n

So far, Cook is doing as much as he can at the plate to get an Opening Day roster spot. In 24 plate appearances, the outfielder\/first baseman has six hits. Half of his hits have been for extra bases. That includes a pair of doubles and a home run. He has only struck out five times as well, with the same number of free passes. His wRC+ sits at an outstanding 191, but once again, it is a spring training sample size.<\/p>\n

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Billy Cook – Pittsburgh Pirates (1)* pic.twitter.com\/hi4I6dJy5Y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n