Billy Cook takes a well-traveled path to Pirates
New Pirate has traveled plenty to get to the majors
Billy Cook has seen a few stops this year. His travel included being traded at the deadline, but it ultimately culminated with his Major League debut on Sunday.
As a professional baseball player and former military child of Air Force parents, Billy Cook is well-traveled in general.
With his experience growing up, Cook has gotten used to the rigors of not being in one place too long, as ball players constantly experience. However, he is also a better teammate because of this.
“(Moving around) has gotten me more used to meeting new people,” Cook said. “You find different ways to connect with people and teammates. It’s different based on the individual.”
Cook has also seen a lot of moving parts on the diamond during his career. Since college, he has featured the versatility to move all around the field defensively.
During his 85 games in the Orioles system this season, Cook played everywhere on the diamond except pitcher, catcher, and shortstop. Since the trade, he has been primarily an outfielder, minus seven appearances at first, including in his debut.
While there is no preference, he is more comfortable at certain positions, mainly because he has played more outfielder than infield over his time in the game.
“As a utility guy, you learn to get comfortable anywhere,” Cook said. “Whether I’m a primary outfielder or a guy who shows up and can be anywhere, just knowing I’ll be hitting that day and playing defense somewhere is where I’ve been.”
He has also seen an adjustment this season at the plate. In ‘24, Cook has taken an approach of being more upright, rather than a wide base and lower.
“I was wide all of last year, but when I came into this year, my body was just a little bit locked up, in terms of the hips and getting everything going,” Cook said. “We just stood up a little taller and it’s freed everything up. It’s a little bit of an adjustment and sometimes timing gets off. It’s a little more challenging because it’s a bigger move, but overall it’s definitely worked.”
The approach has certainly paid off, as Cook has career highs in hits, doubles, batting average, and OPS. It ultimately has him likely ending the season as a big leaguer, which is exactly where he wanted to be when this journey started.
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The minimum I ask from the Pirates over the last 16 games of the year is to make sure Cook plays every game. I'd love for them to make sure Oneil Cruz is in CF for all 16 games as well, but just get Cook as much MLB experience as you can get. When he sits and you see the lineup with five spots where he could have filled in, it feels like an unnecessary waste. That's especially true considering the Pirates record.
Maybe Cook is just Connor Joe, but if that's true, then why wouldn't you have the player making minimum with extra control remaining in that spot, while putting the difference in salary towards your needed off-season improvements. Just put Cook out there so he goes into next year with added experience.
I feel like it's common sense to work towards the future (2025) instead of working towards a goal that has already passed you by (2024 playoffs).
This is seriously bizarre:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/twins-cut-derek-bender-for-tipping-pitches-in-game-with-playoff-implications/