North Shore Nine

Welcome to the weekly Scouting Prospects; The Top 30 series. Each week we will take a look at a different one of the Pirates Top 30 prospects, with a few bonus “double drop” weeks. The format of these articles will highlight and discuss the following.

• Scouting Score
• Performance
• Expectations
• Projected Debut
  
  When it comes to scouting grades, the scale used is 20-80. So, a 20-30 grade would be considered well below average. A 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average (Also called Plus) and 70-80 is well above average (or Plus Plus). For prospects the overall grade is where scouts expect the player to perform once in the majors. For example, a 65 grade would be an All-Star caliber standout player, whereas a 50 would be an everyday player and a 40 would be a bench player.

Billy Cook:

Cook was drafted in 2021 by the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round of the draft. Cook had attended Pepperdine University. He did not make the Orioles Top prospect list on Pipeline until the 2024 season, when he was dealt to the Pirates at the trade deadline. After the midseason Pipeline shake-up which included adding the new draft picks to the list. However, Cook does come in at 24th on the newly updated Pirate list.

Cook comes to Pittsburgh with Plus Speed and a Plus Arm. To go with that he has average fielding and power to go with below average hit skill and overall, he rates as a bench player. Cook has played all three outfielders as well as second base, with some time in AAA Norfolk at first base this year. Cook is a prospect who scouts have always claimed could be a 5 tool player, yet has just not developed into one. His biggest issue was his swing and miss tendencies, which he has been able to curtail a bit this year. Scouts think if this continues to be less of an issue he could still be a 20-20 type of player in the Majors. At worse they agree he could be a solid super-utility player who has a good combination of speed and power.

Cook as struggled with his K% which has been the biggest thing holding back his hitting. In 2021 it was 32%, 31.8 in 2022, last year it went to 25%. This year it has been down as well, 17.5% in AA then 22.7% in AAA at Baltimore with a 24% in Indy so far. These lower rates have had a noticeable effect on the standard hitting statistics. In 2022 with the 31.8% K rate he hit .221/.298/.422 with a .720 OPS a .201 ISO and 93 wRC+. In 2023 when the K% dipped to 25% he hit .251/.320/.456 with a .776 OPS a .206 ISO and a wRC+ of 110. The other positive this year was his BB% was up, it was 12.7% in AA an d11.2% with Norfolk, though has dipped to 8% in Indy through only 50 at bats. All good signs of a hitter who might be turning it around at the right time as his date for make or break is approaching.

So what is the prognosis on Cook? He will need to have a 40 man spot this winter or else be exposed to the Rule 5. He is also smoking the ball far for Indy, putting up video game numbers in his limited time there. Fans have clamored to see him up in Pittsburgh now as he puts on a show and the current OF do not impress most days. Based on his age and need to be on the 40 man there is a very good chance he is seen this season in Pittsburgh. If at least, to see what the Pirates may have added in Cook. Expect either a September look at him, or at worse a deep look in ST next season. If all goes well he could be a part of the team moving forward, at worse another loss to tally in the Ben Cherington trade tab.