Cole Cook

Cook's father (known by his stage name Peter MacKenzie) is an actor who has appeared in dozens of Hollywood productions, including the movies "Major League: Back to the Minors" and "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep. A high school teammate of Twins prospect David Bromberg, Cook was a 36th-round pick of the Mariners in 2007 but did not sign. He missed his freshman season at Pepperdine in 2008 after a freak accident when he broke his wrist while helping to roll up the field tarp on a rainy day. After Pepperdine ace Brett Hunter signed with the A's in 2008, Cook assumed the Friday starter's role in 2009 and 2010 and has performed well, moving to Saturdays of late after the emergence of lefty Matt Bywater. Cook's rangy 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame and low three-quarters delivery are reminiscent of the Weaver brothers. He fires a 91-93 mph fastball, with a changeup and a slurvy 77-78 mph breaking ball. His change is a decent pitch, and scouts agree that his weakness is his curve. It shows sharp break at times, but Cook has trouble controlling it, due in part to his low arm slot. A rare college pitcher with significant projectability, Cook will need to sharpen his mechanics, command and secondary pitches to succeed in pro ball. If he does that, he fits comfortably as a mid- to back-of-the-rotation starter.