In the last few weeks, the Red Sox have gotten younger, calling up Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony to the big leagues. The pair re-joined Kristian Campbell to unite the Worcester Woo Sox trio once again, something Red Sox fans have been waiting for.
Disappointment is the least you can describe the Red Sox’s underwhelming start to the season, posting a 34-36 record, which is well below fans’ expectations after a busy offseason. However, Mayer and Anthony have ignited a spark in the team, playing a crucial role in the team’s series win versus the Rays.
Finding and developing draft picks is hard to come by in baseball, and it’s looking like the Red Sox have found their future in those three. In just a month, they’ll look to hit on another draft pick and potentially replace their struggling infielder.
A Potential Trevor Story Replacement?
MLB Pipeline’s recent mock draft has the Red Sox drafting shortstop Marek Houston, who could end up being a potential replacement for Trevor Story. A three-year standout at Wake Forest, Houston is ranked 12th among all prospects in the 2025 draft.
In MLB’s player profile, Houston is regarded as “arguably the best defensive shortstop in the draft”, earning a 60 grade for his fielding. Although his fielding and arm are his biggest strengths, his bat must continue to improve, as he’s hit more home runs this season (15) than in the last two years combined (12).
"Marek is one of the best defensive shortstops in this college class. The rare college shortstop where he’s a pro, legit, big league shortstop. Nobody is questioning his ability to do that."- Jim Callis, MLB Pipeline
Houston, 21, had a phenomenal season for Wake Forest, leading the team in hits (86), home runs (15), RBIs (66), and ranking second in batting average (.354). In his career, Houston posted a slash line of .302/.458/.597, hitting 27 home runs, 134 RBIs in 180 games, and has made it to the NCAA tournament in all three years.
Houston is deemed a top ten talent and a fast riser on the draft boards. If he’s somehow available at 15, the Red Sox must draft him. Drafting Houston would be the perfect scenario for the Red Sox, considering they’ve drafted the best available these last few years, and how it would complement Campbell and Mayer.
It would also set the Red Sox up to have a replacement for Trevor Story. While the Red Sox have Franklin Arias and Yoeilin Cespedes as potential candidates; both are still young and need more time to develop than Houston.
Story, 32, is in year four of his six-year, $140 million contract he signed with the Red Sox before the start of the 2022 season. His tenure with the Red Sox has been derailed with inconsistent play and injuries, playing in 41% of the team’s games.
Story has a player opt-out for the 2026 season, but with his performance and injury history, it’s highly unlikely he’d make as much money anywhere else. This could give Houston time to develop his bat and game in the minors.
It would be a miracle for the Red Sox to get Houston at this stage, but there are no guarantees when it comes to the draft. What we know for certain is that Houston’s glove is desperately needed in Boston, as the team currently leads the league in fielding errors (61).