North Carolina slugger Casey Cook had his best season yet in 2024, earning first-team All-ACC honors during his redshirt sophomore year. He hit 18 home runs, placing him in the Top 20 in the ACC for that category, and saw his MLB dreams realized when the Texas Rangers selected him with the No. 103 overall pick in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
Cook also batted .341 with 12 doubles and one triple, racking up 78 RBIs this year for the Tar Heels. North Carolina reached the College World Series but was eliminated after two losses, finishing with a 48-16 overall record, including 22-8 in the ACC. Cook played a significant role in their success. In the College World Series against Virginia, he delivered a single to left field that tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh inning, marking his third hit of the game. UNC won the game thanks to an RBI single from Vance Honeycutt.
In 2023, Cook earned All-ACC freshman team honors, ranking second among ACC rookies in hits (66) and walks (34) and fourth in batting average (.333) during the regular season. The Virginia native set a UNC freshman record by reaching base safely in 44 consecutive games. He also made ESPN’s SportsCenter’s Top Play for a bare-handed, home run-robbing catch against Virginia.
As a freshman in 2022, Cook played only four games before a season-ending left shoulder injury.
In high school, Cook played shortstop and pitched for Freedom High School (Chantilly, Virginia) and participated in the Perfect Game National Showcase in 2020. He was also a dynamic athlete in basketball.
MLB.com’s scouting report on Cook highlighted his disciplined approach and smooth left-handed swing, noting that he controls the strike zone and makes contact to all fields. While not expected to be a power hitter, his strength and ability to drive balls in the air could lead to about 15 homers per season, primarily to his pull side. However, his performance with wood bats in the Cape Cod League (.175/.313/.225) raised some concerns.
The report also mentioned that Cook’s speed, arm strength, and defensive instincts are fringy, likely relegating him to left field. Although he has briefly played second base at North Carolina and in the Cape League, a professional team might try him there. While he isn’t a significant threat on the bases, he doesn’t slow them down either.