- Full name Brent Cook
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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In 2001, when good performances were hard to find in the organization, Cook put together a solid season. His stuff is coming along as he grows into his good pitcher's frame, though his fastball is on the low end of average. It sits at 89-90 mph and reaches 92 at times. His best pitch is his slider, which has a hard downward break almost like a curveball. His changeup should be an average major league pitch. Cook's control is improving, and when he's making all his pitches and putting the ball where he wants, he's capable of cruising through innings. He was more successful last year because he was more aggressive in throwing strikes and going after hitters. The Cardinals see him as an innings-eater in the mold of Josh Pearce, and about a year behind him in his path through the organization. Cook went back to high Class A in 2001 after finishing the previous year there, and he'll return to Double-A this season. -
Cook wasn't drafted out of high school after helping take his Salem, Ore., team to the American Legion World Series in 1995 as a high school junior. He won his start against Chino, Calif., the eventual national runner-up, allowing just one run in 8 1/3 innings of work. He was considered a potential first-round pick after he pitched a one-hitter against Oklahoma State early in his junior year at Oregon State, but he tailed off and went in the third round in 1998. The same thing that held back Cook's draft status has held back his prospect status: He has electric stuff at times but is inconsistent with it. For instance, he was the organization's pitcher of the month last April, with an ERA of 0.38 in four Peoria starts. His ERA soared after that, and he wasn't effective at Potomac. When he's on, Cook throws his fastball in the mid-90s and has a plus curveball. He's a bulldog on the mound and goes right after hitters. He needs to work on his changeup and his consistency, and his command also is not where it should be. As a college pitcher, Cook needs to graduate from Class A. He'll try to make the Double-A rotation in spring training.