When the Boston Red Sox step up to the podium with the No. 15 pick in Sunday’s MLB Draft, more than a few experts believe they’ll call a name that’s been surging up draft boards all spring: Marek Houston.
A few months ago, Houston’s name was barely whispered in the same breath as the first round. Now, the Wake Forest shortstop might just be the player Boston trusts to shore up its future infield for the next decade.
“One of the top risers in the 2025 draft class” is how Call to the Pen described Houston, who showed everyone that he’s more than just slick defense.
Baseball Prospect Journal touted Houston as a defensive star who “has a strong arm, moves well on the dirt and boasts plenty of range,” adding that Houston “has elevated his game to new heights this spring, showcasing his growth on both sides of the ball.”
Marek Houston Boosted his Draft Stock With Improved Offensive Output
That upside is exactly why so many mock drafts have the Red Sox locked onto the 21-year-old. MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo penciled in Houston for the Red Sox in its final mock draft, and CBS Sports also projected the Red Sox to take Houston, calling him “an analytical darling thanks to his swing decisions and contact rates.”
So what turned this once-under-the-radar infielder into one of the safest bets on the board? For one, his steady glove has never been in question. But when the bat caught up this spring — and scouts finally bought in — Houston’s stock exploded.
Houston made steady offensive progress over his three seasons at Wake Forest. During his freshman season in 2023, Houston struggled to a slash line of .220/.328/.307, but as a junior, he slashed .354/.458/.597, with a 1.055 OPS, with 15 home runs, 66 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.
“On the field, he’s gotten physical,” Walter said in a recent interview. “I mean you look at him now and he’s 210 pounds of really good muscle and weight right now. It’s been impressive to see the changes he’s made in his body. … He’s always had really good bat-to-ball skills, In his freshman year he just didn’t have a lot of thump behind the bat. And now he does.”
In an interview with “On the Clock,” a college baseball podcast, Houston said the struggles of his freshman year actually taught him a lot about what he needed to do to be successful.
“Yeah, I kind of took that [experience] and just took it, I said, ‘I’m going to have fun, I’m going to use it as a process to get to where I want to be,” he said.
Marek Houston Fits Red Sox Mold of Athletic Middle Infielders
For Boston, the pick would fit the mold. They’ve invested heavily in athletic up-the-middle players in recent drafts, with four middle infielders ranked among the franchise’s top eight prospects and five in their top 12. And with Trevor Story battling to stay healthy, the organization could use another high-floor shortstop in the pipeline.
The Miami Marlins site Fish On First wrote a profile on the Venice, FL, native, highlighting his late rise up the mock drafts.
“He’s one of the best defensive prospects in this draft class and has become a more complete hitter with his improved power,” they wrote.
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