Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50

Houston was Wake Forest’s starting shortstop for three years straight, earning the job as a freshman because of his glove in 2023, then slowly developing his offensive game to turn into a legitimate Draft prospect in 2025. A swing overhaul allowed him to get to more impact as a junior and his 15 homers with a 1.055 OPS enabled him to land in the middle of the first round with the Twins, who signed him for $4.5 million. He got his professional feet wet with 24 games split between Single-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids.

A 6-foot-3 right-handed hitter, Houston has continued to work on his swing path since joining the Twins. He’s always controlled the zone well, with nearly as many walks as strikeouts with the Demon Deacons, and he has long had a contact-over-damage approach. That started to change in his last college season and he’s worked with the Twins to find better line drive angles and barrel the ball more without selling out for power. Adding strength and muscle this offseason could help answer questions about future impact.

If Houston can be an average hitter with fringy pop, he has the chance to play in the big leagues for a long time. He’s at least a plus defender at shortstop, with impressive actions and plenty of range to both sides. He has more than enough arm for the premium position as well, giving him a very high floor with a chance to move quickly through the Twins system. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50

Houston wasn't a high-profile recruit but won Wake Forest's shortstop role as a freshman in 2023 and helped the Demon Deacons finish third at the Men's College World Series. A Cape Cod League All-Star last summer, he developed into arguably the best defensive shortstop in the Draft. He overhauled his offensive approach in fall practice and hit for more power during his junior season, leading to him landing with the Twins at No. 16 overall in the first round. He signed for just a little below slot with a $4.5 million bonus, then started his pro career with Single-A Fort Myers.

Houston earns solid-to-plus grades for his quickness and arm strength, and some evaluators will go even higher than that on his ability to play shortstop. He has smooth actions and plenty of range to both sides and should be a high-quality defender at the big league level. Should he not hit enough to merit an everyday role, he has the tools to play almost anywhere on the diamond as a utility man.

In his first two college seasons, the righty-swinging Houston had a contact-over-impact mentality and projected as an average hitter with below-average power. Now that he has added muscle and sold out for power, he may find 12-15 homers per season while providing less in the way of batting average. His speed plays better in the field than it does on the bases.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55

Houston wasn't a high-profile recruit but won Wake Forest's shortstop role as a freshman in 2023 and helped the Demon Deacons finish third at the Men's College World Series. A Cape Cod League All-Star last summer, he has developed into arguably the best defensive shortstop in the Draft. He overhauled his offensive approach in fall practice and hit for more power during his junior season.

Houston earns solid-to-plus grades for his quickness and arm strength, and some evaluators will go even higher than that on his ability to play shortstop. He has smooth actions and plenty of range to both sides and should be a high-quality defender at the big league level. Should he not hit enough to merit an everyday role, he has the tools to play almost anywhere on the diamond as a utilityman.

In his first two college seasons, the righty-swinging Houston had a contact-over-impact mentality and projected as an average hitter with below-average power. Now that he has added muscle and sold out for power, he may find 12-15 homers per season while providing less in the way of batting average. His speed plays better in the field than it does on the bases.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/07/2026	SS Marek Houston assigned to Minnesota Twins.
	03/05/2026	SS Marek Houston assigned to Minnesota Twins Prospects.
	08/18/2025	SS Marek Houston assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels from Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
	08/18/2025	Cedar Rapids Kernels activated SS Marek Houston.
	08/01/2025	SS Marek Houston assigned to Fort Myers Mighty Mussels from FCL Twins.
	07/23/2025	Minnesota Twins signed SS Marek Houston.
	07/23/2025	SS Marek Houston assigned to FCL Twins.
	06/03/2025	SS Marek Houston assigned to College Workout.
	04/09/2025	SS Marek Houston assigned to Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
	07/26/2024	SS Marek Houston assigned to Cape Cod League West All-Stars.
	04/03/2024	SS Marek Houston assigned to Bourne Braves.
	03/01/2024	SS Marek Houston assigned to Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
	05/26/2023	College Workout activated SS Marek Houston.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated SS Marek Houston.
	05/20/2023	SS Marek Houston assigned to Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
	06/11/2022	College Workout activated SS Marek Houston.
	06/11/2022	SS Marek Houston assigned to College Workout.
	09/29/2021	SS Marek Houston and assigned to West.
	06/04/2021	High School Workout activated SS Marek Houston.
	06/04/2021	High School Workout activated SS Marek Houston.