Texas Rangers select North Carolina outfielder Casey Cook in 2024 MLB Draft

North Carolina slugger Casey Cook saved his best season for last in 2024, earning first team All-ACC honors his redshirt sophomore year. He belted 18 home runs in his final year in Chapel Hill, ranking him in the Top 20 in the ACC in that stat category. And he had his MLB dreams come true, when the Texas Rangers selected him with the No. 103 overall selection in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

Cook also batted .341 with 12 doubles and one triple, while putting 78 RBIs on the board this year for the ‘Heels. North Carolina advanced all the way to the College World Series, before being eliminated after losing two games. They posted a 48-16 overall record, including 22-8 in the ACC. And Cook was a massive part of their success. In the College World Series against Virginia, Cook delivered a single to left field, tying the game up at 2-2 in the seventh inning for his third hit of the game. UNC would go on to win the game, thanks to an RBI single from Vance Honeycutt.

In 2023, Cook didn’t disappoint, earning All-ACC freshman team honors. He ranked second among all ACC rookies in hits (66) and walks (34) and fourth in batting (.333) during the regular season. The Virginia native reached base safely in 44 consecutive games, a UNC freshman record. Against Virginia, he earned ESPN’s SportsCenter’s Top Play for his bare-handed, home run robbing catch.

As a freshman, Cook only played in four games in 2022 before suffering a season-ending injury to his left shoulder.

As a high school prospect, he played for Freedom High School (Chantilly, Virginia) while playing shortstop and pitching. Cook participated in the Perfect Game National Showcase in 2020. A dynamic athlete, he also played basketball in high school.

Here’s part of what the scouting report on MLB.com’s prospect rankings had to say about Casey Cook leading up to the draft.

“With a disciplined approach and a smooth left-handed swing, Cook controls the strike zone while making contact to all fields. He won’t be a slugger but his strength gains and increased aptitude for driving balls in the air should produce in the neighborhood of 15 homers per season, mostly to his pull side. His .175/.313/.225 line with wood bats on the Cape is a concern for some clubs,” the report began.

“Cook’s speed, arm strength and defensive instincts all grade as fringy, which probably will relegate him to left field. He has played briefly at second base with North Carolina and in the Cape League, and a pro team may try him there. He’s not much of a factor on the bases but doesn’t clog them up,” they finished.