Written by Sean, GM of the St. Louis Reds.
The plan was to allow George Cook to play this season in Lafayette and then give him a chance to make the Reds next season or even more likely the season after that. What was the rush? Cook was the Red’s first ever draft pick – 7th overall in 1903. He is just 22 years old and coming off of a very unremarkable season in 1906 in where he hit .235 with the Locomotives. Cook was almost a forgotten about commodity as he fell in the shadow of another prospect named Cook, catcher Edward Cook, who was drafted last year.
Two things have happened that have caused the Reds to alter their plan with George Cook. One is the fact that the Reds somewhat unexpectedly find themselves in the midst of a heated 3 way race in the Frontier Division. The other reason and perhaps more importantly, Cook has been having a great season in Lafayette. He is hitting .326 and getting on base almost 40 percent of the time. He maybe the best defensive outfielder in the Reserve league. There are some that think he could become one of the best defensive outfielders in the LBL.
“It got to the point where we couldn’t keep him down any longer” said coach Kevin Bentley, “But that doesn’t mean he is guaranteed to stay up here – he will have to perform – we are definitely comfortable with the way Fleckney has been playing in the outfield this year.”
The plan is to start Cook in left field, but at some point he will most assuredly take over centre field and push Reeves to one of the corner spots. The Reds fans are salivating at the prospect of having an outfield of Cook, Reeves and Ronsell.
Is it a coincidence that the Reds are bringing up Cook just in time to face the Beavers? Not a chance. They will take any advantage they can get. Plus they hope to show that their first draft pick ever is a better talent than Richmond Elliot who the Beavers took a few picks ahead of Cook in the 1903 draft.
Cook was born in Weld County Colorado and is the second youngest of 5 brothers. His dad ran a Hardware store in town where all of Cook and his brothers worked during their childhood. As a 17 year old Cook played for his high school team, the Mountain Academy Blacks, where he only hit .236 but he turned heads with his athleticism and his ability to seemingly track down every fly ball hit his way.
In just a short 5 years since that high school season, Cook has taken large strides in his development each year. The Reds are counting on that to continue.