Pirates 2024 Trade Deadline Update: Pittsburgh's imports crushing it at Triple-A

For the first time in a long time, the Pittsburgh Pirates were in a position to be buyers at this year's MLB trade deadline. (It doesn't appear to have done much for their 2024 playoff chances, but that's another story for another time.)

In addition to beefing up their major league lineup, the Pirates also dealt from their pitching depth to acquire some offensive prospects at the deadline to give a much-needed boost the batting order in Triple-A Indianapolis.

In a relatively short amount of time, Nick Yorke (Pittsburgh's No. 6 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline) and Billy Cook (No. 24) have both proven to be bright spots in the Pirates' farm system, beginning almost the moment they arrived. In fact, both figure to feature prominently on Pittsburgh's radar as MLB debut candidates in 2025.

Pirates 2024 Trade Deadline Update: Nick Yorke, Billy Cook are tearing it up in Triple-A

Nick Yorke, 2B/OF

A first-round pick in 2020, Yorke was acquired by the Pirates at the deadline for right-handed pitcher and fellow 2020 first-rounder Quinn Priester. He arrived at Triple-A Indianapolis riding a four-game hit streak that began July 25 when he was with Triple-A Worcester, a streak that would end up stretching into mid-August before finally coming to an end after 15 games.

Ever since Yorke arrived in Indianapolis, all he's done is rake. In his first 25 games with the Indians, he slashed .367/.420/.489 with 33 hits and 15 RBI. He reached base safely in 20 of those games.

Yorke has spent the majority of his time in Triple-A at second base, where Nick Gonzales is currently holding down the fort in Pittsburgh. There has been talk of getting Yorke some more time in the outfield, where the Pirates are sorely lacking in depth; and if he continues to hit the way he has been down the stretch in Indianapolis, the Pirates will have no choice but to make room for him on the 40-man roster in 2025.

Billy Cook, 3B/OF

The Pirates added Cook in an under-the-radar prospect swap that sent right-handed pitcher Patrick Reilly to the Baltimore Orioles. A late offensive bloomer who had long been known more for his glove and arm than for his bat, Cook has improved his hitting significantly in Triple-A – a trend he has maintained since joining the Pirates.

Cook, like Yorke, started the 2024 campaign in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A. In his first 21 games with Indianapolis, he slashed .284/.365/.459 with 21 hits, eight RBI and a pair of homers (including a game-winning grand slam against St. Paul on Aug. 13).

At age 25, Cook doesn't have much left to prove in the minors. He profiles as a versatile utility player at the big-league level who could contribute to the Pirates off the bench or, potentially, as an everyday starter.

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