Utility Man Having an Underrated Spring with the Pirates

Billy Cook Gunning for Pirates Roster Spot This Spring

Let Billy Cook Cook

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.

A Down 2025, But a Promising 2024

Cook spent most of 2025 at Triple-A, where he hit .248/.323/.384 with a .320 wOBA and 85 wRC+. He struck out at a 27.2% rate and drew a walk 9.1% of the time. He only went yard eight times in 375 plate appearances, leading to a .136 isolated slugging percentage. On the plus side, Cook went 13-for-15 in stolen base attempts. However, he landed on the injured list in early August and wasn’t able to make it back before the end of the season.

Cook showed some potential in 2024. He hit well throughout the minor leagues with a .849 OPS, .377 wOBA, and 129 wRC+ in 493 plate appearances for the Baltimore Orioles’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, and Triple-A Indianapolis for the Bucs. Cook made his MLB debut that season, and he definitely showed off his power in the 49-plate-appearance sample size. Cook belted three home runs, had a 92.6 MPH exit velocity, and 13.3% barrel percentage.

Unfortunately, the flaws of his game also showed up in spades. Cook didn’t draw a single walk and chased outside the zone 36.9% of the time. He also struck out 19 times. His whiff rate clocked in just under 40%, coming in at 39.6%. Overall, he had 11 hits and a 79 wRC+. Along with the three home runs, Cook also had a pair of doubles.

On the plus side, Cook’s defense has looked nothing short of outstanding. In 2024, he played 85 innings in the outfield. In that small sample size, Cook racked up a whopping +6 defensive runs saved and +3 outs above average. Cook split his time nearly evenly between all three outfield spots. The eye test also backs up the numbers. He also made two outfield assists. He only played 35 frames at first base, but made some impressive plays there as well.

Can Cook Make the Pirates Roster?

While Cook is making a legitimate push for the Opening Day roster, the current bench is crowded. The Pirates already have their outfield mix settled. Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, and Ryan O’Hearn make up the Bucs’ three go-to outfielders. García and Mangum likely take priority over Cook. Plus, none of Cook, Mangum, or García can play anything other than outfield or first base (which only Cook can). The Pirates would significantly be limiting their versatility by putting Cook on the Opening Day roster over Nick Yorke and/or Nick Gonzales.

However, Cook could still find his way onto the roster as a platoon bat for Spencer Horwitz at first base and part-time outfield, with one of García or Mangum going to Triple-A to start the year. Regardless, it’s hard to ignore Cook’s spring training performance completely. Even if he has an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster, he is making it difficult not to go north with him.