Pirates’ Rising Stars Harrington and Cook Hit Hard with Injuries!

Pirates’ Rising Stars Harrington and Cook Hit Hard with Injuries!

The Pittsburgh Pirates are facing some challenges as two of their top prospects, right-handed pitcher Thomas Harrington and outfielder Billy Cook, have landed on the 7-day injured list. This setback comes as both players have shown considerable promise in their respective roles. Harrington’s placement is retroactive to August 9, while Cook’s is retroactive to August 8, leaving fans to wonder how this will impact the team’s future.

Notably, Harrington had his last start on August 8 against the Omaha Storm Chasers, where he endured a tough outing, yielding a two-run home run and ultimately taking the loss in a nail-biting 2-1 game, pitching 4.2 innings and throwing 73 pitches. Meanwhile, Cook’s last appearance was part of a six-game road series with the Iowa Cubs from July 29 to August 3. This marks the first time both players have found themselves sidelined this season, though Harrington has faced injuries before—spending time on the injured list from April 5 to May 7, 2024, and Cook had a brief spell on the injured list from July 4 to July 12, 2024, while with Triple-A Norfolk.

The Rising Star of Harrington

Harrington, ranked as the Pirates‘ No. 4 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, has made remarkable strides in his professional career. Drafted 36th overall in 2022, he had a solid first run in Low-A and High-A, posting an impressive record of 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA with the Bradenton Marauders. Following a promotion to the Greensboro Grasshoppers, he continued to impress with a 3.87 ERA over 18 starts.

After recovering from a shoulder injury that delayed his Double-A debut until May 7, Harrington made a splash there as well. In his eight starts with the Curve, he has achieved a commendable 3.16 ERA over 42 2/3 innings, showcasing his potential with strong command—striking out 42 batters while only walking four. He recently remarked on the heightened competition at Double-A, observing that hitters are less likely to swing and miss, a detail that speaks volumes about his growth as a player.

Billy Cook: The Outfielder to Watch

While details on Cook are less comprehensive, it’s worth noting that he has been making a name for himself as he navigates the minor league system. His recent absence due to injury offers a pause in what many fans hope is a burgeoning career. The Pirates organization has seen them as highly valuable assets for their future lineup, making their recoveries critical to the team’s success moving forward.

For fans looking to keep tabs on the Pirates‘ promising talents, MLB Pipeline provides a detailed overview of their top prospects, including team-specific lists, stats, and performance filters. With over 900 prospects cataloged, this is the go-to resource for anyone eager to follow the growth of players within the organization, including our injured stars Harrington and Cook.

As the season continues and the Pirates look ahead, the situation regarding Harrington and Cook will be closely monitored. How they heal and return to the field will undoubtedly shape the narrative of the team’s performance as they strive for success.

For more updates, you can follow the developments on the Pirates as they unfold through the appropriate channels like Yardbarker, TribLIVE, and the extensive statistics available at MLB.com.