BRADENTON, Fla. — Billy Cook first learned to play the outfield in Little League and travel ball, banished to the outskirts of the baseball diamond because the coaches’ kids got to play in the infield. It wasn’t for him.
“I hated the outfield because nobody would hit it out there,” Cook said with a laugh.
Those who did hit it out to Cook when he was playing travel ball were often thrown out on the way to first base anyway. It wasn’t until his family moved from Texas to Virginia that he finally got to move to the infield and play shortstop, where the action is and where he grew as a player.
Fast forward to Cook’s college days in Pepperdine, and he was again moved to the outfield, this time with a new mentality: “Just pretend that you’re a shortstop wherever you play.”
Last year, Cook started a game at about every position besides shortstop: all three outfield spots and first base in the Majors, plus second and third base when he was in the Orioles’ farm system. That versatility was part of the reason the Pirates were intrigued by him and made a prospect swap with the Orioles at the Trade Deadline, sending over pitcher Patrick Riley.
Whether it was in the outfield or first base, Cook was a shortstop at heart.
“It sharpened everything up right,” Cook said. “That mindset to any position helped. … Just go and make it happen.”
On Tuesday, Cook gave a sample of what a shortstop’s mentality looks like in center field. Red Sox leadoff hitter Abraham Toro drove a ball to deep center, one that the swirling winds of LECOM Park took. Cook was able to adjust and make the grab, bouncing into the wall in the process.
“The wall’s soft, thankfully,” Cook joked before a quick beat. “Soft enough.”
“This guy is a really good defender,” Derek Shelton said after the Pirates’ 12-4 loss to the Red Sox. “I think we saw a little bit of it last year, we saw the way he goes after the ball. But this kid can defend, and I think we got a little taste with how much ground he covers right there.”
In his brief time with the Pirates, Cook has shown a flair for the defensively dramatic, making a diving catch into the netting on his first day in the Majors, for starters. He was also ruthlessly efficient, racking up six defensive runs saved in 85 innings played in the outfield last year. Conveniently, it was +2 runs at every position. It’s a small sample size, but a showcase that he can play multiple positions well.
“I’m comfortable anywhere, but [with my] tools, I have a lot of room out there, I can show the arm off out there, everything,” Cook said about playing the outfield. “It’s nice to be in a position where it all comes together.”
It’s a skill set that could play well in this new outfield alignment the Pirates will have in 2025. Oneil Cruz is a permanent center fielder now, while Bryan Reynolds is sliding over to right field, with free-agent acquisition Tommy Pham now in left. Having a sure-gloved young reserve has appeal, especially since Cook can bounce into the infield if needed.
And it just might be needed now. First baseman Spencer Horwitz is rehabbing from wrist surgery, and the Pirates could have an opening at first for the first leg of the season. They’ve been trying out different players at first base – like DJ Stewart and Nick Yorke – but they saw Cook play the position last season. It’s known that it’s in their back pocket.
“He made his Major League debut at first, but he’s an outfielder primarily,” Shelton said. “The fact that he can go to first is an advantage, but I think we saw today and saw last year at times why this guy is such a good defender.”
Cook is taking infield drills every day in addition to his outfield drills, and he could be in that mix at first base. That’s not his main priority right now, though.
“If it’s not me, I can help us play in the outfield,” Cook said. “It doesn’t matter to me because it’s all about winning. I’d love to be a part of helping the team win, and if that’s first, outfield, coming off the bench, pinch-run, bunt, it doesn’t matter. Whatever it takes.”