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Trey Cook is a workhorse for the LaGrange baseball team. He is one of the top two pitchers, the designated hitter and at times an outfield. It does not matter to him where you stick him, he just wants to play baseball.

“It can be difficult to balance hitting and pitching, but that is something I have been working on,” Cook said. “It doesn’t matter if I’m in the outfield of pitching, I just want to get outs and get on base for my team.”

As a junior last year, Cook was entrusted to start the opening game of the AAAA state championship series and while the Grangers lost 2-1, Cook pitched a complete game and showed every bit of the talent he had available to him.

“It was so exciting,” Cook said. “I can’t explain the feeling. I don’t think it really sank in until after the fact. I begged coach to let me go three more outs and even though things didn’t go our way, I think it was the right decision. The big games are the real fun ones.”

Last year’s season was special and while he does not want to get ahead of himself, Cook can feel something brewing in the LaGrange dugout once again this year. 

“Last year, we had a great team, but this year we have really meshed,” Cook said. “A big part of our success is knowing how to play together and work together. Most of us have been playing together for a few years now, we are a big family.”

Cook approaches the game with a quiet confidence that never spills over into arrogance or cockiness. He knows his strengths and weaknesses, which shows a poise beyond his years. 

“I’m not the flashiest pitcher, and I’m going to throw the ball as hard as other people, but I’m going to keep grinding and get some outs,” Cook said. 

He also is not afraid to work hard to get better. He has added more muscle to his frame in the offseason as he looks to take a step forward this year. 

“I have put a lot of focus on that,” Cook said. “I actually just came over from the gym.”

“He’s not going to like that you put this in there, but I did not like coach Drew Eady in eighth grade. He was so hard on me. Now, he is one of my favorite coaches and has pushed me to get better.”

Cook is also proud of the work he has put in at the plate.

“Last year, I hit a home run in the playoffs but before then I had all singles,” Cook said. “I have two doubles already, and I think that shows from how I have focused on the physical part of my game.” 

He has expanded on the talent and has worked tirelessly to get better. One of the people he has been coached up by is none other than former LaGrange High baseball legend Korey Noles. 

“He pitched on the 2004 state championship team and working with him was big,” Cook said. “He was a lefty, and we kind of have the same style of pitching so it was a perfect fit.” 

Cook is now carving himself out quite the legacy at LaGrange High. He has been a part of the team for all four years he has been a Granger and has put together some quality showings on the mound to match. 

Cook has big baseball aspirations after high school. He hopes to be a walk-on at the University of Georgia and the way things are going that very well could come to fruition, but first he has unfinished business with the Grangers. After falling just short a season ago, Cook wants to leave LaGrange High with a bang and capture just the second state title in program history.