Billy Cook
Position: IF/OF
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 205 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 01/07/1999
College: Pepperdine University
How Acquired: Trade (with Orioles for Patrick Reilly)
Drafted: 10th round, 287th Overall, 2021 (Orioles)
Bonus: $100,000
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Orioles drafted Cook as a college senior after he had a power surge his last two years. He probably would have been drafted in 2020 but for the shortened draft. He’s a good athlete with above average speed who played mostly center at Pepperdine. As a pro he’s played outfield more than anything, including center, but he’s also seen time at first and second. His arm is average. He’s shown good power, but he swings and misses a lot, and has had just decent walk rates. Cook didn’t get much attention in an Orioles’ system that featured a number of premium hitting prospects; he never made Baseball America’s list of the system’s top 30 prospects. One concern is that he didn’t reach AAA until age 25, so he was always old for his levels. The Pirates acquired Cook in a somewhat unusual prospect-for-prospect deadline deal.
2021-23
Cook mostly played in Low Class A after signing, then spent 2022 in High A and 2023 in AA. His hitting was consistent at all three locations: He hit for solid power with low to middling averages and low OBPs. His 2023 season showed improvement over 2022, as he hit 24 home runs while cutting his K rate from 32% to 25%. He batted 251/320/456.
2024
The Orioles sent Cook back to AA in 2024, but promoted him to AAA in late April. He continued to improve, but it’s hard to say whether it had anything to do with the pitching at the level. Scouts reportedly considered it extremely poor that year. Through the end of July, Cook was hitting 269/372/485 and had cut his K rate a little more, to 23%. He had a moderately large platoon split after having a very large one the previous year.
The Pirates acquired Cook at the 2024 trade deadline for pitching prospect Patrick Reilly. At Indianapolis, Cook’s hitting was nearly identical to what he did in AAA for Baltimore, 276/389/486. He drew walks at a good pace, 13%, but struck out at a 29% rate. The Pirates were bizarrely reluctant to call up Cook or Nick Yorke, but they finally promoted Cook a week into September. He showed some power, with three home runs in 16 games, but he also struck out 19 times in 49 plate appearances without drawing a walk. In the majors, Cook divided his time evenly among the three outfield positions and first base. He played well defensively, showing a good arm, and also displayed well above average speed.
Stats
Transactions
July 12, 2021: Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round, 287th overall pick; signed July 23.
July 30, 2024: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Patrick Reilly.
September 8, 2024: Contract purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates.