Billy Cook, Jared Jones lead Pirates over Nationals

PITTSBURGH – Billy Cook was playing Fortnite with former teammates in the Orioles’ system Saturday night when he got a call from Triple-A Indianapolis manager Miguel Pérez. He let it go to voicemail the first time so he could keep gaming, but the second time he called, Cook knew he needed to pick it up.

Pérez told Cook that if he wanted to play on Sunday, he had to make a choice. He could either guarantee a homer with Indianapolis, or he could go to Pittsburgh. Cook obviously chose the latter.

Cook made a quick first impression Sunday at PNC Park, falling into the stands to catch a pop fly and then doubling home two runs in his first big league at-bat, all in the first inning. He would later pick up another hit as the Pirates beat the Nationals, 7-3.

“It meant everything,” Cook said postgame, beaming. “This is what I worked really hard for, dreamed about as a little kid, talked to my family and friends about. It still feels surreal to be here, but I’m glad it happened. We’ll keep going. You get one debut, that’s what they all say. It was definitely one to remember.”

The Pirates picked up Cook at the Trade Deadline in a deal of prospects with the Orioles. The Pirates have plenty of pitching throughout the organization, but needed hitters. The Orioles were effectively the opposite, so the Pirates sent over Patrick Reilly, their fifth-round pick from the 2023 MLB Draft, for Cook, a more Major League-ready prospect who may not have had much playing opportunity with Baltimore.

Right now, the deal seems mutually beneficial, and the Pirates could start reaping Major League rewards right now. Cook, the team’s No. 24 prospect per MLB Pipeline, hit .276 with an .875 OPS, nine stolen bases and five home runs – including a grand slam on Saturday – in his 30 games with Indianapolis. He’s normally an outfielder, but can play second and first base as well. With Connor Joe a little banged up after making a diving attempt in the ninth inning Saturday, that facilitated the need to promote Cook.

“If you told me I’d play first base in my Major League debut last year, I’d say you’re crazy,” Cook said. “So there’s that little bit of expecting the unexpected. Everybody’s debut, they say, isn’t exactly how you’d expect it to go. That was kind of the hiccup in mine: As a primary outfielder who can play first, I wouldn’t expect the first game to be there, but we’ll make it work.

“As a utility guy, they see me as someone who can move around, being able to be in the lineup. If that’s at first or in the outfield, then I’ll do it.”

Cook had that outfielder approach when tracking down Andrés Chaparro’s pop fly in the first inning, falling into the stands and battling the netting to make the catch. On the mound, Jared Jones’ first thought was, “Did he just hurt himself? Oh my God!”

But as far as the play goes, the Pirates’ starter knew the rookie had that type of play in him.

“I spent three weeks in Indy for my rehab before I came up here,” Jones said. “I got to watch Billy a lot. I knew it was just a matter of time. He’s just a really good baseball player. It’s fun to watch him.”

Cook’s two-run double in the first extended the Pirates’ lead to 4-1, following Joey Bart’s home run earlier in the frame. Andrew McCutchen and Michael A. Taylor also went deep Sunday, with Taylor’s blast being the 100th of his career. Jones shined as well, striking out nine over seven strong innings, retiring his final 16 batters faced.

Overall, not a bad way for Cook to be introduced to The Show and the city of Pittsburgh.

When he was with the Orioles, a common message Cook heard from coaches was to just focus on what he can control. If he can’t control it, don’t worry about it. He didn’t see these last six weeks playing out the way they have, but he can hardly complain.

“Here I am, in a different uniform, playing for a different team – and it’s worked out great,” Cook said. “You never know what the opportunity is, so you just put yourself in a spot to make it happen. That’s kind of the approach I took and will keep taking.”