On Sunday evening, just before the start of this year's All-Star Game festivities, Major League Baseball ushered in the next wave of big league talent via the 2025 MLB Draft, where the Minnesota Twins selected 21-year-old switch-hitting shortstop Marek Houston 16th overall , out of Wake Forest.
Yes, another shortstop , which happens a lot in professional baseball, because at all levels of the game, shortstop is where teams usually play their best athletes. And for these kids' entire lives, up until they are drafted, that's always been them.
Like last year at Wake Forest, when Marek Houston proved to be far better than his collegiate competition, slashing .354/.458/.597 (1.055 OPS) with 14 doubles, 15 home runs and a 46/46 K/BB ratio. Oh and he successfully took 19 of the 21 bases he tried to steal, too.
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One of my 2025 draft crushes: Wake Forest SS Marek Houston.
He's not known for his power, but he gets all of this for a no-doubt bomb off the scoreboard. 101.8 EV, 405 feet. Really good contact skills with great defensive instincts at SS. He'll be on our initial 2025 rankings. pic.twitter.com/91CEuTIbHK— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) May 22, 2024
Related: Report: Minnesota Twins Planning for Quiet Trade Deadline
Now, the superstar Demon Deacon is looking forward to his first professional opportunity, which will come fast. Luckily, before his life got too hectic, I was able to catch up with Houston a couple of days after he was drafted by the Twins.
In our brief conversations, I got to know Minnesota's latest top just a little bit. And it didn't take more than a few messages back and forth before I realized that this kid is an old-school type gamer who takes pride in his defense (more on that below). No doubt, I expect Houston to grow on the fanbase rather quickly, if he plays well.
"I'm a competitor. I like to compete, and once the game starts it's about winning. As a hitter I'm looking to get on base and see what the situation holds for me. Defensively I want to be reliable and take away hits from the other team." — Marek Houston
Houston tried to soak in the draft process as much as possible and told me that he had a great meeting with the Minnesota Twins and loved the people they have in the organization. He described the overall draft process, however, as confusing.
Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images
The 6'3″, 205 lb athlete said he had an idea of where he would go, but "when the time comes it's all a big mystery". Overall, it sounds like going through the steps of getting drafted and dealing with all the outside noise lent to more unneeded stress, than anything else. Without a doubt, he sounds happy that it's over and excited to be a Twin.
"The draft process was honestly very confusing. You have an idea where you may go, but when the time comes it's all a big mystery. I had a great meeting with the Twins a couple days before and loved what they were about and the people they have…I'm excited to be a part of an organization that I have already heard so many great things about." — Marek Houston
When Houston lands in Minneapolis to put pen to paper he will be visiting the state for the first time. He has seen plenty of Target Field, from afar, and knows some of the stars who have worn the Minnesota Twins uniform.
Before he can think about living in the Twin Cities, though, he has to fight his way up the minor league ladder. Defensively, there's no reason why Marek Houston can't stick at shortstop.
In fact, MLB Pipeline tagged him as the best defensive shortstop in the 2025 MLB Draft. That now gives the MN Twins two straight drafts where their top pick could legitimately stick at SS, after they selected Kaelen Culpepper in 2024. He represented the Twins in the MLB All-Star Futures Game this year
MAREK HOUSTON ( @WakeBaseball ) ARE YOU KIDDING‼️‼️
1 more out…
Top 9 | 7-4 Bourne pic.twitter.com/1HKv82KK16— Bourne Braves (@BourneBraves) August 9, 2024
Offensively, Houston's game took off during his final collegiate season, especially from a power standpoint. After posting just 12 home runs in his first 119 college games, Marek overhauled his offensive approach last season and it lead to some incredible results.
"I'm looking to keep improving at all levels of my game. You can always get better if you are putting in the work. I think the most exciting part about pro ball is the high level players and pitchers you face. I think I will learn a lot just from being around those types of players." — Marek Houston
Now, he's determined to prove to himself and anyone else who cares that he was worth the 16th overall pick, and hopefully even more.
MLB Commish: Minnesota Twins Sale is Imminent
With a significant amount of college experience behind him, and a polished defensive game, he could be a fast mover. Look for the MN Twins to send him to Fort Myers initially, but a push to Cedar Rapids by the end of the year makes sense.
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