2025 MLB Draft Profile: Marek Houston

Wake Forest's Marek Houston has been one of the biggest risers as the 2025 draft approaches. Could the ACC middle infielder be Miami's first pick? 

Overview

Position: SS

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 205 pounds

School: Wake Forest

Marek Houston is a 6’3”, 205-pound infielder who plays at Wake Forest University. Houston was already known for his defense, but his offensive numbers have improved a ton and he has hit for more power. Three months away from the MLB Draft, his stock is rising.

Houston was a blue-chip prep prospect out of Venice High School in Florida. He was the 120th-ranked prospect and the 25th-ranked shortstop in the Class of 2022. Houston decided to commit to an out-of-state school and signed with Wake Forest.

As a freshman at Wake Forest, Houston earned a starting role thanks to his defensive prowess. He slashed .220/.328/.307 with 48 hits, five doubles, and four home runs in 65 games that season for the Demon Deacons.

In his sophomore season, Houston had a breakout performance and earned a third-team All-ACC selection. He slashed .326/.433/.517 with 72 hits, sixteen doubles, eight home runs, 38 walks, and a .949 OPS.

Houston continues to improve at the plate as a junior. He has made more consistent loud contact while increasing his launch angle. His ground ball percentage has gone from 49.5% to 43.3%. Houston is slashing .338/.446/.603 with 51 hits, ten doubles, ten home runs, 48 RBIs, 29 walks, and a 1.049 OPS.

At the plate, Houston has good plate discipline. Adding 10-12 pounds of muscle during the 2024-25 offseason has tremendously helped his power numbers at the plate without sacrificing contact or lowering his batting average.

Houston is also one of the best defensive infielders in the 2025 MLB Draft class. A good athlete with smooth mechanics and an accurate arm, Houston has all the tools to stick at shortstop and is very comfortable playing the position.

Strengths

• Plus hit tools
• Plus glove
• Improved power
• Low K% and high BB%
• Accurate arm
• Great range on defense

Weaknesses

• More likely to have gap power than over-the-fence power at the next level
• Sometimes too passive at the plate

Pro Comparison: Jeremy Peña

Projection: Top 15 pick

Bottom Line

The Marlins will have the seventh overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and should be able to grab one of the top prospects in this draft class. Houston has quickly moved up into the rankings and could be an option.

The Sunshine State native has had an excellent collegiate career at Wake Forest. He’s one of the best defensive prospects in this draft class and has become a more complete hitter with his improved power. He has even been stealing bases more frequently this spring to raise his floor as an offensive player.

More 2025 Draft Profiles

• RHP Seth Hernandez
• 3B Xavier Neyens
• OF Brendan Summerhill