Pirates, Orioles Swap Patrick Reilly & Billy Cook In Rare Prospect Deadline Deal

Image credit: RHP Patrick Reilly (Photo by Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)

The Pirates and Orioles swapped prospects prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline, with Pittsburgh sending RHP Patrick Reilly to Baltimore in exchange for OF Billy Cook.

Reilly, a Vanderbilt alum, was one of the Pirates’ bigger risers in our latest midseason update. Cook didn’t crack Baltimore’s deep Top 30 but provides a Pirates system short on close-to-the-majors bats with a viable option who could perhaps soon compete in a utility role.

PIRATES RECEIVE

Patrick Reilly, RHP
Age: 22

The Orioles added a promising arm in Reilly, the Pirates fifth-round pick in 2023 out of Vanderbilt. Reilly struggled with his control at Vanderbilt, but he had made strides in 2024, going 5-4, 3.38 in 19 starts at High-A Greensboro. Reilly has average velocity but above-average life on his 92-94 mph fastball. Reilly’s hard (86-88 mph) cutter and 84-86 mph slider give him a pair of quality secondary offerings. Reilly has cut his walk rate to 11.5% this year (still high, but better than it’s been) while striking out 30.2% of batters. Most likely he will end up as a reliever eventually, but his improvements this year give hope he could remain a starter.

ORIOLES RECEIVE

Billy Cook, OF/3B
Age: 25

A 10th-round pick out of Pepperdine in 2021, Cook has steadily worked his way to Triple-A Norfolk despite the stiff competition for playing time on teams loaded with prospects. Cook has played almost everywhere as an Oriole. This year, he’s played first base, second base, third base as well as all three outfield spots. He’s a well-rounded hitter with solid contact skills as well as average power potential. He was blocked in Baltimore, but for a Pirates team in need of outfield help, he could find a spot. He’ll need to be protected on the 40-man roster this offseason or he will be available in the Rule 5 draft.