2025 MLB Draft Profile: Marek Houston

NAME: Marek Houston
SCHOOL: Wake Forest University
POSITION: SS
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6’3”/205
B/T: R/R
D.O.B: April 14, 2004
Previously Drafted: No

Scouting Report

In a draft year where pitching and prep infielders reign supreme, Marek Houston is a part of the group headlining the college infielder class. Houston has been mocked in the first round since last summer after his breakout 2024 campaign at Wake Forest where he slashed .326/.433/.516. He followed this up with a strong showing in the Cape Cod League, hitting .306/.465/.329 and receiving all-star honors. Houston’s glove and defensive acumen have always been his calling card, but his bat catching up to his glove helped solidify his standing near the top of this class.

The 21-year-old wasn’t drafted out of high school but Perfect Game ranked him as the second best defensive shortstop in the state of Florida. Houston starred for Venice High School in Nokomis, Florida and the school is known for its strong athletic programs. The school was founded in the late 1940’s and houses over 2,500 students.

Houston has been Wake Forest’s primary shortstop since he stepped on campus in 2023, despite 2024 first-round pick Seaver King’s arrival. Houston has the range, arm strength and quickness to stick at shortstop once he joins the professional ranks. He is arguably the best defensive shortstop in this class, but the offensive side of his game is more of the focus for scouts. Houston has a contact over power profile, but he nearly doubled his home run total from a year ago to 15 this year. His 1.055 OPS is also over 100 points better compared to his 2024 season, earning him third team All-ACC honors.

The Demon Deacon star grades as a plus defensive shortstop easily with a 60-grade from numerous outlets. The hit and power tool grade out closer to average with the potential to increase should he continue to pack on strength and lean more to impact over contact. He could hit anywhere from 10-15 home runs at the next level, and with the ability to anchor the top of a lineup with 19 stolen bases this spring. Combine that with his elite presence up the middle, and it is easy to see why he is a top-15 consensus prospect in this class.

Houston is ranked as the #12 overall prospect in the draft class according to MLB Pipeline. Their write-up noted his prowess as a defender with budding power with the Cape Cod League success to boot. He ranks #15 overall at Baseball America and the scouting report was similar to other outlets.

Why Would the White Sox Draft Marek Houston?

White Sox brass would most likely feel inclined to take Houston if they wanted this pick to line up more closely to the rest of their core coming up through the minor leagues. Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, and Chase Meidroth are already in the big leagues with Colson Montgomery, Braden Montgomery, and Noah Schultz not far behind. If the Sox want to continue the youth movement in a similar timeframe, then Houston is a great option to rise quickly as a seasoned three-year college starter.

However, this new front office does not seem too worried about service time manipulation or bringing up everyone together as much as the last regime did. They have been linked to prep shortstops all over the board in many mock drafts, so a college pick here seems unlikely. With the White Sox picking at #10 overall, searching for the most upside to inject immediately into the system should be the path forward. Houston doesn’t fit that bill exactly, but his plate discipline and defensive prowess match the traits that this front office have been searching for.

Mock Draft Outcomes

Here on FutureSox, James Fox’s Mock Draft 1.0 has Houston slated to the Giants at 13th overall. Over at MLB Pipeline, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo recently wrote that Houston is the top defensive shortstop in the college class but they noted that there are quesions about his hit and power tools. They projected the Wake Forest product to the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 18th overall pick.

Kiley McDaniel also projected Houston to the Diamondbacks in his Mock Draft 2.0 for ESPN. In Keith Law’s most recent Mock Draft 2.0, Houston is slotted to the Minnesota Twins at 16th overall. Carlos Collazo of Baseball America sent the shortstop to the San Francisco Giants at #13 overall in his latest projection as well. Houston hasn’t really been linked to the White Sox but the organization knows Wake Forest players really well and he seems to be a backup option if they choose to go the college route.