Billy Cook

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William Monroe Cook

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Biographical information[edit]

Outfielder Billy Cook was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round of the 2021 amateur draft out of Pepperdine University, where he had played four seasons, his time there having been extended by the COVID-19 pandemic that shortened the 2020 season to just 15 games. In his final college season, he hit .298 with 17 homers in 33 games, driving 42 runs and putting up a slugging percentage of .725.

He began his professional career in 2021, splitting time between the FCL Orioles and Delmarva Shorebirds of the Low-A East and hitting a combined .263 in 29 games. He played a full season in 2022, appearing in 113 games with the Aberdeen IronBirds of the South Atlantic League, but his slash line was disappointing at .221/.298/.422. He did collect 42 extra-base hits - 21 doubles, 6 triples and 15 homers to be exact. In 2023, he moved up to the Bowie BaySox of the Eastern League where in 120 games he improved to .251/.320/.456. In many farm systems, this would have made him a hit commodity, but the Orioles were loaded with great minor league players, especially outfielders, so he was very much under the radar. In 2024, he started the season at Bowie, but after just 15 games was promoted to the AAA Norfolk Tides after some of those vaunted prospects mentioned earlier were called up to Baltimore, clearing space for him in AAA. In 70 games with Norfolk, he hit .279 with 11 homers and 43 RBIs, and while there may not have been an obvious opening for him with the Orioles, that made him a very interesting trading chip.

On July 30, 2024, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Billy in a trade with the Orioles in return for Patrick Reilly, a pitcher in Class A. It was not the typical trading deadline deal, but it served both teams who dealt from areas of strength. Cook moved to the Indianapolis Indians, staying in the International League, and continued to do well, batting .276 with 5 homers in 30 games. He was called up to PNC Park on August 8th, making his debut at first base against the Washington Nationals and going 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs; he also distinguished himself with a spectacular catch of a foul ball while falling into the netting. On September 15th, it was again his defensive play that made the news, when on Roberto Clemente Day, he channeled the great outfielder's throwing arm by nailing Tommy Pham from the right field corner, cutting him down at home plate. Like all the Pirates' players, he was wearing Clemente's number 21 in tribute, which made the comparison even more apt, as the Bucs defeated the Kansas City Royals, 4-3.

Further Reading[edit]

  • Alex Stumpf: "Cook uncorks Clemente-like throw, paying tribute on Roberto Clemente Day", mlb.com, September 15, 2024. [1]

Related Sites[edit]

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