QUEENS, N.Y. - The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that outfielder Billy Cook has made their Opening Day roster. Cook, a 2021 Pepperdine baseball alum, is the older brother of current Waves infielder
Danny Cook.
Billy is among a massive group of Pepperdine alum who have made it in the big leagues, joining the likes of 1986 National League Cy Young winner Mike Scott, Chase D'Arnaud, Mike Fetters, Steve Montgomery, Will Ohman, Andy Stankiewicz (current USC baseball head coach), Eric Thames, and Randy Wolf. Cook hit .286 in his four years at Pepperdine, currently ranking 10th all-time in Waves history in home runs (26) and sixth in slugging percentage (.552).
Billy, a 2021 10th-round selection (287 overall) of the Baltimore Orioles, was traded to Pittsburgh in exchange for right-hander Patrick Reilly on July 30, 2024. Cook dazzled and displayed consistency for the Pirates this spring training, hitting an even .250 (44 at-bats) while recording an OPS over .800, crushing two home runs, and driving in seven. He joins a talented Pittsburgh outfield headlined by Oneil Cruz, All-Star utilityman Ryan O'Hearn, and All-Star Bryan Reynolds.
The 27-year-old made his MLB debut on September 8, 2024, going 2-for-4 with a two-RBI double against the Washington Nationals. He appeared in just three games in 2025 with Pittsburgh while spending nearly all season with Triple-A Indianapolis amongst a crowded Pirates outfield, hitting .248 across 94 games (331 at-bats) with the Indians. He was the Indians' primary center fielder alongside Jack Suwinski, who was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on February 16 before getting claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 21.
Cook and the Pirates begin their season tomorrow, March 26, at the New York Mets behind 23-year-old phenom, and All-Star and Cy Young candidate, Paul Skenes. The game will be nationally televised at 10:15 am pacific time on NBC and Peacock as part of MLB's Opening Day coverage. Billy and the Pirates will be in Los Angeles from August 21-23 when Pittsburgh visits the back-to-back reigning World Series champion Dodgers for a three-game weekend series.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE BASEBALL
Pepperdine baseball has one of the richest traditions and success stories among mid-major baseball programs in the country. The Waves won the NCAA National Championship in 1992 and have made 28 NCAA Tournament appearances in total. Located in scenic Malibu, California, Eddy D. Field Stadium boasts one of the most remarkable views in college baseball and has seen 35 former Waves reach the MLB while seeing 41 All-American selections.
TICKETS
For more information and to purchase tickets to upcoming home events, visit
here.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine baseball news, follow the Waves on social media
@PepperdineBASE.
