Success of 2023 draft picks Paul Skenes of Pirates, Dylan Crews of Nationals a sign of development shift (Via TribLive) triblive.com/sports/success…

OF Billy Cook, acquired from Baltimore at the trade deadline, has a locker in the Pirates clubhouse. Cook hit a grand slam for Triple-A Indianapolis last night in a 9-4 win over Toledo, and has seven RBIs in his past two games.

Cook batted .276/.389/.486 with seven doubles, five homers and 21 RBIs in 30 games at Indy. He had 15 doubles, 11 homers, 43 RBIs in 70 games at Triple-A Norfolk.

Good eye by Danny Demilio for spotting Billy Cook doing pregame work at 1B with Pirates bench coach Don Kelly. A right-handed hitter at 1B? Makes you wonder if Connor Joe might be headed to IL after that hard landing on attempt to make diving catch in 9th inning last night.

Cook has played 67 games in minors at 1B, including 50 games this season (2 at Bowie, 42 at Norfolk, 6 at Indy). He also played all three OF spots at Indy.

Instead, catcher Henry Davis is heading to the 10-day IL with left hand inflammation, as Cook's contract has been selected from Indy. Pirates GM Ben Cherington said Cook will play first base today against Nationals.

Billy Cook will make his MLB debut at 1B for the Pirates, as RHP Jared Jones faces Nationals LHP Patrick Corbin.

On his weekly radio show, Pirates GM Ben Cherington said Endy Rodriguez will start playing for Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, expects him to catch in addition to playing 1B and DH.

In his MLB debut, Billy Cook drives a line drive down the left field line for his first major league hit -- a two-run book-rule double to give the Pirates a 4-1 lead over the Nationals. Cook also made a nice catch on a pop fly in foul territory against the netting.

The ball will find you 🔮 Billy Cook wasted no time showing off in his debut 💪

After an impressive catch in the top of the 1st, Billy Cook drives in two runs with his first Major League hit in the bottom of the 1st. 🫡

Jared Jones, Vicious 92mph Slider. 😤

'One to remember': Billy Cook makes crazy catch, 2-run double for Pirates in MLB debut (Via TribLive) triblive.com/sports/one-to-…

A tip of the 🧢 to these NL Central Nominees for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award!

Nick Gonzales batting leadoff as IKF gets a day off and Pirates RHP Paul Skenes faces Marlins RHP Valente Bellozo.

Paul Skenes, Elevated 99mph ⛽️

Paul Skenes counting his 9 Strikeouts. 🤣

The Pirates will start RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (2-5, 3.73 ERA) against the Marlins on Tuesday. Mlodzinski has a 2.08 ERA in 4 1/3 innings in three games as an opener this season, allowing 1R, 4H, 1BB, 3K against Minnesota (June 8), at Colorado (June 14) and Tampa Bay (June 21).

According to Stathead, Paul Skenes joined the legend José Fernández as the only rookie pitcher since 2000 to have 150 strikeouts and a sub 2.5 ERA. Fernández did it in 28 starts, and Skenes currently at 20 starts.