Unfortunately the Pohlad family remains in charge of everything, but there is hope that the talent can compensate for ownership ineptitude. Derek Falvey, and the infrastructure he has created, still must get the most out of the players working their way through the farm system.

During the All-Star Break Minnesota participated in the 2025 MLB Draft. They selected Marek Houston with the 16th overall pick and not long after he was talking to Minnesota Sports Fan about his experience. Now he’s headed to the next rung of the farm system ladder.

Marek Houston headed to Cedar Rapids

The Minnesota Twins initially sent Marek Houston to Low-A Fort Myers. That is customary for most draft picks, but like the best of them, he made quick work of the competition.

2025 Minnesota Twins first round pick Marek Houston (@HoustonMarek) has been promoted to @CRKernels

— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 18, 2025

After just 12 games with the Mighty Mussels, Houston is headed to the High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels. During his brief time in the Florida State League, Houston batted .370/.424/.444 with four doubles and six stolen bases.

Houston is not a bopper, and he’s still looking for his first professional home run. However, he is already considered a big league caliber defensive shortstop. How much the bat can continue to develop from here will be the only thing that holds him back from future promotions.

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.

MLB Pipeline

The Twins have a real level of belief in Houston after taking him 16th overall and handing him a $4.5 million bonus. He is the first prospect from the Twins 2025 draft contingent to reach High-A.

Related: 2025 Minnesota Twins MLB Draft Tracker

The expectation should be that Houston will spend the vast majority of his time in 2026 with Cedar Rapids. The Kernels have just 18 regular season games left this season. They won the first half of the Midwest League West, so they are going to play postseason baseball.

Twins 1st round pick Marek Houston made his pro debut today.

He was 1-4 with an RBI.

Probably major league ready defense already. He showed it off too.

pic.twitter.com/9gW3yWLnXn

— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 2, 2025

It will be great for Houston to get that extended run and play in some additional games that matter. Currently Cedar Rapids is 2.5 games back of Beloit atop the second-half standings in the West as well. Houston could help to potentially put them over the top.

In Cedar Rapids he joins standout prospects like Kyle DeBarge, Brandon Winokur, and the recently acquired Eduardo Tait.

Yes, another shortstop, which happens a lot in professional baseball, because at all levels of the game, shortstop is where teams usually play their best athletes. And for these kids’ entire lives, up until they are drafted, that’s always been them.

Like last year at Wake Forest, when Marek Houston proved to be far better than his collegiate competition, slashing .354/.458/.597 (1.055 OPS) with 14 doubles, 15 home runs and a 46/46 K/BB ratio. Oh and he successfully took 19 of the 21 bases he tried to steal, too.

One of my 2025 draft crushes: Wake Forest SS Marek Houston.

He's not known for his power, but he gets all of this for a no-doubt bomb off the scoreboard. 101.8 EV, 405 feet. Really good contact skills with great defensive instincts at SS. He'll be on our initial 2025 rankings. pic.twitter.com/91CEuTIbHK

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) May 22, 2024

Related: Report: Minnesota Twins Planning for Quiet Trade Deadline

Now, the superstar Demon Deacon is looking forward to his first professional opportunity, which will come fast. Luckily, before his life got too hectic, I was able to catch up with Houston a couple of days after he was drafted by the Twins.

Marek Houston no fan of MLB Draft process, but MN Twins fans will love him

In our brief conversations, I got to know Minnesota’s latest top just a little bit. And it didn’t take more than a few messages back and forth before I realized that this kid is an old-school type gamer who takes pride in his defense (more on that below). No doubt, I expect Houston to grow on the fanbase rather quickly, if he plays well.

“I’m a competitor. I like to compete, and once the game starts it’s about winning. As a hitter I’m looking to get on base and see what the situation holds for me. Defensively I want to be reliable and take away hits from the other team.” — Marek Houston

Houston tried to soak in the draft process as much as possible and told me that he had a great meeting with the Minnesota Twins and loved the people they have in the organization. He described the overall draft process, however, as confusing.

The 6’3″, 205 lb athlete said he had an idea of where he would go, but “when the time comes it’s all a big mystery”. Overall, it sounds like going through the steps of getting drafted and dealing with all the outside noise lent to more unneeded stress, than anything else. Without a doubt, he sounds happy that it’s over and excited to be a Twin.

“The draft process was honestly very confusing. You have an idea where you may go, but when the time comes it’s all a big mystery. I had a great meeting with the Twins a couple days before and loved what they were about and the people they have…I’m excited to be a part of an organization that I have already heard so many great things about.” — Marek Houston

When Houston lands in Minneapolis to put pen to paper he will be visiting the state for the first time. He has seen plenty of Target Field, from afar, and knows some of the stars who have worn the Minnesota Twins uniform.

Houston can stick at shortstop, ready to prove offense is legit

Before he can think about living in the Twin Cities, though, he has to fight his way up the minor league ladder. Defensively, there’s no reason why Marek Houston can’t stick at shortstop.

In fact, MLB Pipeline tagged him as the best defensive shortstop in the 2025 MLB Draft. That now gives the MN Twins two straight drafts where their top pick could legitimately stick at SS, after they selected Kaelen Culpepper in 2024. He represented the Twins in the MLB All-Star Futures Game this year

MAREK HOUSTON (@WakeBaseball) ARE YOU KIDDING‼️‼️

1 more out…

Top 9 | 7-4 Bourne pic.twitter.com/1HKv82KK16

— Bourne Braves (@BourneBraves) August 9, 2024

Offensively, Houston’s game took off during his final collegiate season, especially from a power standpoint. After posting just 12 home runs in his first 119 college games, Marek overhauled his offensive approach last season and it lead to some incredible results.

“I’m looking to keep improving at all levels of my game. You can always get better if you are putting in the work. I think the most exciting part about pro ball is the high level players and pitchers you face. I think I will learn a lot just from being around those types of players.” — Marek Houston

Now, he’s determined to prove to himself and anyone else who cares that he was worth the 16th overall pick, and hopefully even more.

MLB Commish: Minnesota Twins Sale is Imminent

With a significant amount of college experience behind him, and a polished defensive game, he could be a fast mover. Look for the MN Twins to send him to Fort Myers initially, but a push to Cedar Rapids by the end of the year makes sense.

The hope for all franchises is that they will hit on multiple draft picks and generate future All-Star Game representatives from them. Minnesota’s roster currently boasts five of their own former first round picks (Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, Brooks Lee, and Royce Lewis).

They have four selections in the first three rounds on Sunday, and another 16 to make on day two Monday. Their most recent top selections include Culpepper, Charlee Soto, and Walker Jenkins.

Minnesota Twins MLB Draft Picks – 2025

Minnesota owns the 16th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. They also have the 36th overall pick in the first round as part of the competitive balance round. The rest of their selections are outlined below.

MN Twins take Marek Houston 16th overall

The Minnesota Twins used their 16th overall pick on Wake Forest shortstop Marek Houston. The collegiate infielder was ranked between 14th and 23rd by different publications, so he fell right within their range. He’s seen as more of a defensive talent, but MLB Pipeline provided a nice rundown.

“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.”

MLB Pipeline

Marek Houston is the pick. Plus defender and runner, with the offense coming around.

The Twins have really valued these athletes with speed in recent drafts#MNTwins
pic.twitter.com/Nad8luqoYC

— Twins Talk (@LetsTalk_Twins) July 13, 2025

Houston has spent three years at Wake Forest. In 61 games this year he slashed .354/.458/.597 with 14 doubles and 15 home runs. He split strikeouts and walks at 46 apiece. The plus-defender will probably regress a bit at the plate in pro ball, but there’s no reason he can’t stick at shortstop.

The Twins made a high-floor selection with their first pick, and there’s an opportunity for them to save some money on the collegiate selection as well. The slot value checks in at $4.93 million. Their draft pool is 12th largest in baseball at $12.653 million.

This seems like more of a safe selection that a high-upside one. The Twins have gone with big bat prospects in the late first round, save for Kaelen Culpepper, so this deviates a bit from their previous plan.

Pitcher Riley Quick rounds out Minnesota Twins 1st round picks

After taking a collegiate shortstop with their first overall pick, the MN Twins stayed in the collegiate ranks with selection number two. They used their Competitive Balance (Round A) choice on Alabama pitcher Riley Quick.

“Quick was Alabama’s top high school baseball prospect in 2022, as well as a four-star offensive lineman who drew interest from college football programs, but he was determined to pitch for the Crimson Tide. After a successful freshman season in Alabama’s bullpen, he blew out his elbow in his first college start in 2024 and had Tommy John surgery. He returned quicker than normal, making it back for the start of the 2025 season and staying healthy other than missing a late-March start with a bad blister. Quick has the power stuff to go in the first round, beginning with a heavy sinker that sits at 96-97 mph and tops out at 99, and the 6-foot-6, 255-pounder holds his velocity throughout his starts. His mid-80s slider can be a wipeout offering with two-plane depth, and he can turn it into a cutter that climbs as high as 95 mph. He also flashes a solid upper-80s changeup with fade and sink. Though Quick’s fastball and slider grade as plus-plus at their best and he can back them up with a quality changeup, he doesn’t miss nearly as many bats as his pure stuff indicates he should. His pitches move so much that they can be difficult to harness, leaving him with decent control but spotty command. He has logged fewer innings than most third-year college pitchers and the hope is that he’ll approach his frontline-starter ceiling as he gains more experience and polish.”

MLB Pipeline

The Alabama pitcher started 14 games this season and compiled a 3.92 ERA. Across 62 innings he posted a 70/24 K/BB and allowed just five home runs. Obviously he has seen a high level of competition in the SEC and he has a strong frame at 6’6″ 255 pounds.

Riley Quick at #36 to Minnesota! Love this pick for the Twins and thought Quick could slip into the 1st round

Had TJ in 24’, big body SP at 6’6/250 with an upper 90s FB, and two plus secondaries with his CH and Cutter. Strike throwing took major strides in 25’.

Mid rotation… pic.twitter.com/LFzP09RTNt

— Owen Hurd (@Owen_FBB) July 14, 2025

Quick showed the definition of his surname after undergoing Tommy John surgery after his first start in 2024. With the injury behind him, it’s more likely there is a clean bill of health ahead of him.

With plenty of college experience, both in the bullpen and as a starter, under his belt it’s possible he sees a fast track to the big leagues.

MN Twins make prep pick in Quentin Young

After a pair of collegiate picks to open the 2025 MLB Draft the Minnesota Twins grabbed their first prep talent. Shortstop Quentin Young is a value pick that MLB Pipeline ranked 37th overall and was selected with the 54th pick. He’s an LSU commit that the Twins likely will go over slot for after the two college talents. If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because it should be.

“The nephew of Dmitri and Delmon, Young was initially slated to be a part of the 2026 Draft class but reclassified to join this year’s crop. Young’s physicality and ceiling were on display all summer at events like MLB’s High School All-American Game and USA Baseball’s 18U team in World Cup qualifying. The 6-foot-6 Young has a ton of projection, obvious baseball bloodlines and some loud tools. He has huge raw power that some evaluators put top-of-the-scale grades on. He has bat speed and some feel to hit, but there are some swing-and-miss concerns and trouble recognizing spin that cropped up over the summer, leading some to worry a bit about how much he’ll tap into that raw pop consistently. Young moves well for his size and his athleticism shows up defensively. He actually doesn’t look terrible at shortstop, his position in high school, though he’s likely to move to third if he’s going to stay on the dirt. Some think he might be best suited in right field, where a plus arm that can fire 95-mph fastballs off the mound profiles well. Committed to LSU, Young could provide a team with a Jayson Werth-type of toolbox if he can to a more consistent hit tool, with scouts who laud his work ethic believing he can do just that.”

MLB Pipeline

Way back in 2007 the Minnesota Twins traded Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett, Eduardo Morlan, Brendan Harris, and Jason Pridie for Delmon Young. Nearly 20 years later they have now drafted his nephew.

Quentin Young posted exit velos up to 115 mph today at the MLB Draft Combine 👀

The LSU commit ranks No. 55 on our draft board.

Nephew of Delmon and Dmitri Young.

BA 500: https://t.co/7bXWNyFXsR pic.twitter.com/wmkPDcUg27

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 17, 2025

Across 29 games as a senior Young batted .381 with four doubles and 14 home runs. Both Dmitri and Delmon has successful big league careers. The Twins would love to get more from Quentin than they did his uncle.

James Ellwanger is another pitcher to round out MLB Draft day 1

After a pair of shortstops in their first three picks, the Minnesota Twins went back to the pitching well with their final first day selection. James Ellwanger spent two seasons at Dallas Baptist and is now headed to pro ball.

“Ellwanger’s fastball shot into the mid-90s midway through his Texas high school senior season in 2023 and made him a top-three-rounds prospect, but his signability dropped him to the Nationals in the 19th round and sent him to Dallas Baptist. He touched 99 mph in his college debut last February, then missed most of March and April with a flexor strain in his pitching elbow before performing well in the Cape Cod League during the summer. He’s one of the most intriguing sophomores in the 2025 college crop but has labored to throw strikes this spring. When Ellwanger is dialed in, he can sit in the mid-90s with his fastball and blow it by batters in the zone with ample carry and armside run, though he has fought his control and command of the pitch throughout 2025. His low-80s curveball has good shape and has been his most reliable offering, while his mid-80s slider has been crushed so much that he has begun toying with a low-90s cutter. He barely uses his mid-80s changeup but it will dive at the plate at times. After working just 30 2/3 innings between Dallas Baptist and the Cape in 2024, Ellwanger needs innings to hone his craft and prove he can do more than just overpower hitters with his heater. He’s athletic but will have to polish and repeat his three-quarters delivery to develop average control and command. He still has projection remaining in his 6-foot-4 frame, so his arsenal could become even more powerful.”

MLB Pipeline

Ellwanger started just eight games as a 20-year-old in 2024. This season he made 16 appearances with 14 starts. His 3.98 ERA across 63.1 IP was hampered by lots of traffic in the form of 39 walks. He struck out a crazy 95 batters (13.5 K/9) and allowed just two home runs.

46. James Ellwanger:
High octane righty at 6’5”, 200 lbs. Fluid delivery + loose arm. FB 95-98 T100 with + IVB is his go to weapon, mixing in a low-80s slider. 22 K's in 13 IP this summer. Improved command with a 3rd offering flashed and theres serious 1st round upside. pic.twitter.com/1lU9vfyC0H

— Jackson (@jacksonab_) December 30, 2024

The Twins have been capable of adding velocity for professional arms, and that could make Ellwanger even more nasty. The command and control need to be reigned in, and he didn’t show that in either season with Dallas Baptist. He had experience (13.0 IP) on The Cape, and that experience should serve him well as he transitions to the next level.

Ellwanger is another prospect that is a value pick according to MLB Pipeline. Despite being drafted 88th overall, he was ranked the 76th overall prospect.

The rest of the MN Twins crop

Fourth round pick Jason Reitz will be difficult to miss. He’s 6’11” which means he’ll tower over even Bailey Ober. If the Minnesota Timberwolves need to borrow a pitcher, they have their guy. Should he make the big leagues, he would join former Twins reliever Jon Rauch and Minnesota-native Sean Hjelle as the tallest players to compete in Major League Baseball. Reitz has previously had Tommy John surgery (senior year of high school) and transferred to Oregon after pitching on The Cape.

Tallest Man Drafted

6'11" pitcher Jason Reitz is selected by the @Twins with the 119th pick of the 2025 #MLBDraft. pic.twitter.com/Mfju4tJOGu

— Rapsodo Baseball (@rapsodo) July 14, 2025

Agbayani is the son of former big leaguer Benny Agbayani. Bruin brings the bloodline to the professional ranks and is the first left-handed hitter taken by Minnesota in this draft.

Matt Barr touches 97 mph with his fastball and is a big spin guy. He had 94 strikeouts in just 57 innings last season and that’s why he owned a 1.74 ERA.

Minnesota clearly liked what they saw when scouting Elon this season. They grabbed third baseman Ryan Sprock in the 8th round and then followed that pick with teammate Justin Mitrovich in the 9th round. Mitrovich is a right-handed pitcher and both players are four-year juniors.

Related: MN Twins Swing Trade for New Bullpen Arm

The MN Twins grabbed a former second round pick prospect in Kolten Smith. The Georgia pitcher played collegiately for Wes Johnson. He is the former Minnesota pitching coach.

Last season the Twins drafted Merit Jones in the 20th round. He didn’t sign and went back to college. This year they took him again with their 14th round selection. He told me, “I couldn’t be happier! I’m so happy the Twins have given me a second chance. God is good!”

In total the MN Twins 21 picks. Of them just two are high school players. 13 are pitchers, with one being left-handed. They grabbed four shortstops, two third basemen, a second baseman, and one outfield prospect.