On a day in which both teams made several moves to augment their major league rosters, the Orioles and Pirates also connected on a minor league trade, with the O’s sending 25-year-old utility player Billy Cook to the Bucs in exchange for 22-year-old right-hander Patrick Reilly. The teams have already made the trade official, according to the transaction tracker on MiLB.com.
The Orioles drafted Cook in the 10th round of the 2021 draft, and he has risen through the ranks of the Orioles system over the past four years. In 85 games between Double and Triple-A this season, he is batting .275 with 17 doubles, four triples, and 12 home runs, good for a 120 wRC+. He has also stolen 16 bases. On the other side of the ball, Cook has played first, second, and third base, as well as all three outfield positions. Earlier this year, he told David Laurilla of FanGraphs that he thinks his skills play best in the outfield, but he understands his ability to play the infield is important, too. While Cook is not the most highly regarded prospect (MLB Pipeline had him as the No. 28 prospect in Baltimore’s system, but he was unranked by Baseball America, FanGraphs, and The Athletic entering the season), it is impressive that he has managed to carve out a regular role at Triple-A Norfolk, considering the sheer amount of young talent in the Orioles’ organization. He will need to be added to the Pirates 40-man roster after the season if the team wants to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
The Pirates took Reilly in the fifth round of last year’s draft. He has made 19 starts at High-A this year, pitching to a 3.38 ERA and 4.65 FIP in 88 innings of work. His 108 strikeouts are particularly impressive, although his 41 walks are less than ideal. That said, he has cut down on free passes since his time at Vanderbilt, where he walked 93 batters over 144 innings. Eric Longenhagen and Travis Ice of FanGraphs ranked him as the No. 22 prospect in the Pirates’ system in June, while MLB Pipeline had him at No. 20 prior to the trade. Baseball America was higher on Reilly, ranking him at No. 8 entering the season. The evaluators at BA gave him a 45 future value grade, while MLB Pipeline and FanGraphs both gave him a 40. All three sources are high on his mid-90s fastball, but BA was equally enamored with his slider and less concerned by his control issues. The evaluators at BA also seem to be the most optimistic that Reilly can stick as a starter in the long term, writing that he “has the arm to make it work.”
While Reilly is widely considered the more promising young player, the Pirates clearly see something they like in Cook, who is much closer to making his MLB debut. Meanwhile, it’s easy to see why the Orioles, whose organization is loaded with position player talent, were happy to swap a 25-year-old hitter for a 22-year-old pitcher.
Intriguing trade. The Orioles get a pitching prospect. The Pirates get a hitting prospect close to the majors.
Good to see BC planning for the future and dealing from excess but where did they both find the time for a minor trade like this one and does it have to be done before the trade deadline since it involves two minor leaguers?
A lot of times deals are in the works for weeks leading up to today. Not saying that’s the case for this one, but I doubt Elias called Cherington 15 min before the deadline as was like, hey let’s make THIS deal.
You can trade after the deadline if both players are minor leaguers who aren’t on the 40 man, I believe.
I gather this deal happened (or at least could have happened) after the deadline since neither player was on a major league roster this year.
No, it happened much earlier in the day. I heard about it before 6. It just got reported here late.
Thanks Harv.
Good strength for strength trade. Makes sense for both teams. Cook factors into the Pirates mix next season. Between him and Yorke, a couple nice upper level bats added to the Pirates system for depth pitching.
Trade that helps both teams. I like this trade more than at least one of the major league deals for the O’s.
This was a nice deal. We’ve cleared out a lot
Of the position player glut we had. Cook is interesting but older and blocked. He took serious strides this year. We definitely need the pitching depth.
Hopefully more to come between these two GMs. One likes to draft and develop pitchers; the other, position players. Keep checking in with each other fellas.
nice trade for the pirates I think. Billy checks all the boxes for positions that are weakest in OF and 1b. Now lets see if that bat translates.
Good trade for both teams, but especially for the Orioles as they’d have probably lost him in the rule 5 draft anyway.
“Billy”! Sgt John Taggart!
Hate it. It’s called a arms race for a reason. You want arms. If they traded him for a impact bat like Winker or if he was part of the Jazz return etc I am fine. But for another ceiling limited prospect. Maybe Cherington is the best gm in baseball and I just don’t realize it yet. Good emergency depth in case Rowdy goes down. Give him a shot.
Billy Cook might be playing 2B for the Pirates this year at this point
Probably Yorke ahead of him.
I know Reilly. Cook not so much. Pirates could win this trade. Just if you told me I could have a 8th ranked pitcher or a unranked bat I am taking the pitcher.
Maybe Cherington is a genius and knows more than every evaluation site and Elias!
Elias didn’t have to not like Billy Cook to trade him to be clear here. Elias prefers to acquire pitchers once there’s minor league data on them. The O’s rarely draft pitchers early on.
Cook plays a bunch of positions and the Pirates have quite a few positions where there could be some PT available. I think you’ll see him this year. Reilly wasn’t factoring in and the Pirates have more interesting arms in the minors. Cook can potentially chip in the power and speed department while covering multiple slots. A versatile super utility guy is a nice piece if Cook pans out.
MLB.com has the same grade slapped on both of these guys also. Cook has been playing very well in AAA. He has no chance to see playing time in Baltimore right now and the O’s needed to restock pitching depth in the minors after trading so many guys away.
I’m with Elias on this one. And I believe like me he wouldn’t make this trade if he thought Cook was going to be anything special. Depth move for Pirates. Replaces Forester with a closer to mlb version. And probably a better version. Reilly is a really interesting arm. Can never have enough. Hate was a strong word. Cook would probably actually make my pirates top 30 if I wasn’t too lazy to think about it. Don’t think he gets ahead of Reilly though. But bat is more of a need. Bottom line is I don’t think O’s will regret this but Pirates could.
Agreed. more a need for need trade with the rule 5 draft looming. someone may pan out but this is more just for fillers in future seasons and the O’s getting a younger player. Not to say either is bad but I didn’t think anyone thought this was a game changer
Dream – Hate is the proper word. I think Reilly has success in the show. He has a very good arm. Cook is a utility guy, haven’t seen him yet, but only #28 prospect in O’s org at age 25. We’ve got a ton of utility guys to draw on. Elias fleeced Ben on this one i think time will tell.
Reilly > value wise. That was my initial reaction. Ceiling for floor trade. Pirates mlb look ready depth was thin if not empty so Cook and Yorke are insurance. And good not great players. Good is good though. I’m a arm guy and Reilly is upside. If not mid rotation back of the pen. I am ok and understand this trade. Took a depth strength and boosted a weakness.
Elias’ best deal of the day. That and dumping Irvin.
Hey Leo, drop the cliche 88 innings OF WORK. What do you think it is, of sleep? Just put a period after 88 innings. It’s a broadcasting cliche that’s unnecessary for print. I’m a retired editor and it drives me crazy to see young writers do that.
On the trade, why are the Pirates giving up on a young arm for a guy who will turn 26 still in the minors who is unranked by most evaluations? If the Pirates are so deep in pitching where are their starters now? They use bullpen games regularly.
Pittsburgh doesn’t “regularly” use bullpen games.
According to FanGraphs, the Pirates are 8th in the MLB in innings logged by starting pitchers.
Also, don’t give the writer any flack for saying “innings of work”. It’s a common industry phrase. It’s fine.
Your status of “retired editor” doesn’t give you authority on this matter. Ugh.
Stay retired.
Cook has to be protected from Rule 5 this Dec, Reilly not until Dec ’26. Pit needs OF depth in AAA, Cook had no path to MLB playing time with Bal and would be wasting a 40 man slot to keep him. They found a team that was interested and a trade that benefits them. This is just a depth strength for depth strength for both teams with a chance to benefit them beyond that. Pirates have tons of interesting pitching and can afford to lose one. Orioles have tons of interesting outfielders and can afford to lose one.
I really like this trade for both teams.
Billy cook was called up yesterday and went 2-4 in his debut. good for him!