The Minnesota Twins' first pick from the 2025 MLB Draft, Wake Forest shortstop Marek Houston, was heralded by many as the best defensive shortstop from his draft class. However, MLB Pipeline had him projected as an average hitter. Thus far in 2026, Houston is proving he can be much better than average at the plate, slashing .303/.364/.438 (110 wRC+) with two homers, four doubles, one triple and six RBI in 100 plate appearances across 22 games for High-A Cedar Rapids. He's also shown off his speed this year, swiping seven bags in as many attempts.
Houston began his professional career hot last season, posting an outstanding .370/.424/.444 slash line (150 wRC+) in 59 plate appearances over 12 games with Low-A Fort Myers. The Twins quickly promoted him to High-A, where he struggled last year with a .152/.220/.239 (34 wRC+) slash line in 51 plate appearances over 12 games. However, he had an extremely unlucky .162 BABIP with Fort Myers in 2025.
If Houston, MLB Pipeline's No. 8 overall Twins prospect, continues to dominate with Fort Myers, he should find himself on Double-A Wichita's roster later in the year. It's also possible he will join Triple-A St. Paul's roster at the end of the season, but it seems more likely he will make his Saints debut in 2027.
It's interesting that many project Houston to be an average hitter. In his final season with Wake Forest, the Twins prospect hit .354/.458/.597 with 15 homers, 14 doubles, 66 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 398 plate appearances over 61 games. While college ball is much different than the pros, those stats are almost unbelievably good.
Houston appears to be Twins' shortstop of future
Even if Houston ends up being an average big-league hitter, his defense should make him a valuable player. While he should be able to play anywhere on the diamond, he'll likely be Minnesota's starting shortstop within a few years if he progresses through the minors as expected. Brooks Lee has begun to turn things around offensively, but he's still arguably one of the worst defensive shortstops in baseball. Twins shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper is knocking at the door of his MLB debut, but he isn't viewed as an outstanding defensive shortstop. While the Twins' infield seems crowded, regression and/or injuries should eventually clear a spot on Minnesota's 26-man roster for Houston.
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