Checking in on the Twins’ first 3 picks from their 2025 draft class
SS Marek Houston (Round 1, Pick 16)
While Houston, 22, is known for his strong defense, the shortstop has proved he can also hit at a high level in pro ball. After being drafted out of Wake Forest last season, Houston slashed .370/.424/.444 (150 wRC+) in 12 games with Low-A Fort Myers. He struggled after being promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids, hitting .152/.220/.239 (34 wRC+) in 12 games to end the season.
Houston, a Wake Forest product, has hit much better with Cedar Rapids this year, slashing .285/.341/.404 with three homers, 11 RBI and nine stolen bases across 36 games as of Saturday morning. Even if Houston, MLB Pipeline's No. 8 overall Twins prospect, ends up being a below-average hitter, his strong defense should allow him to have a long big-league career.
RHP Riley Quick (Competitive Balance Round A, Pick 36)
The Twins drafted Quick, 22, out of Alabama. After hurling eight scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts across three outings for Low-A Fort Myers this year, Quick has allowed just three earned runs on six hits and five walks with 14 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings across three appearances for High-A Cedar Rapids. He hasn't made an appearance since leaving his May 12 outing early due to experiencing cramping in his right thumb.
The Twins are being cautious with Quick because he didn't throw more than 62 innings in a season with Alabama. If he can avoid being on the IL often, the righty has a good chance of being in the Twins' starting rotation at some point in 2028.
Quick, the Twins' No. 11 overall prospect, throws a sinking fastball that sits at 96-97 mph and can reach 99. He complements his electric fastball with a mid-80s slider, a low-90s cutter and a high-80s changeup.
SS Quentin Young (Round 2, Pick 54)
Young, the nephew of former Twins outfielder Delmon Young, has been slow to develop since being drafted by Minnesota out of high school. Last season, the 19-year-old shortstop went 2-for-17 with nine strikeouts across five games for Low-A Fort Myers. Entering Saturday, he's appeared in 36 games with Fort Myers this season, slashing .222/.283/.354 with four homers, 17 RBI and an awful 45.3% strikeout rate.
Given Young's young age (no pun intended), it's too early to be worried about his progression. However, if his struggles continue throughout the rest of the year and carry into the next, it'll be justifiable to start questioning whether he's big-league material.
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