Report: Wake Forest's Marek Houston could be Braves' game-changing first-round pick
The 2025 MLB Draft is just around the corner and teams are now finalizing their plans. One of the surprising shifts comes from the Atlanta Braves. A new MLB Pipeline mock draft by expert Jim Callis suggests that the Braves might finally turn their attention to hitting, after years of focusing mostly on pitching talent.
Braves may focus on offense after years of pitching picks
On Monday, June 3, 2025, MLB.com's Jim Callis released a full mock draft on MLB Pipeline. In this list, he predicted that the Atlanta Braves will pick shortstop Marek Houston from Wake Forest University with the 22nd overall pick.
This is big news because the Braves have not picked a position player in the first round since 2019, when they took Shea Langeliers and Braden Shewmake. Since then, Atlanta has mostly gone for pitchers.
In the last five years, their top picks were all arms — Jared Shuster in 2020, Ryan Cusick in 2021, Owen Murphy and JR Ritchie in 2022, Hurston Waldrep in 2023, and Cam Caminiti in 2024.
Report: Wake Forest's Marek Houston could be Braves' game-changing first-round pick
While Shuster was traded to the Chicago White Sox in the Aaron Bummer deal and Cusick went to Oakland Athletics in the Matt Olson trade, the rest are still developing in the Braves' minor league system.
This possible move toward offense shows a clear shift in strategy for Atlanta in 2025.
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Marek Houston's profile stands out as a top college hitter
Marek Houston, a shortstop for Wake Forest, had a strong season in 2025. He played 61 games and hit .354 with 14 doubles, 15 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 46 walks. His ability to hit for contact and show more power this season makes him an attractive pick.
Houston played well during Wake Forest's run in the NCAA Regionals, adding important hits in key moments. He is known more for his glove, though. According to MLB.com, he has great defensive tools, with a 60 grade fielding score and 55 grade arm.
'He's a smooth shortstop with great instincts and range,' Callis wrote in the MLB.com mock draft. 'He fits the Braves' model of strong up-the-middle defense.'
If Houston is picked before the Braves can draft him, Jim Callis said they might go for Wehiwa Aloy, a powerful shortstop from Arkansas, or high school pitcher Kruz Schoolcraft.
The Braves are clearly in need of a good shortstop, and for the first time in years, they may be ready to draft one in the first round.
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