We are just under two months away from the 2025 MLB Draft and the Atlanta Braves will look to improve their organizational depth even more. The Braves have been competitive each season so they’ve not been able to take advantage of the best players available but they have still found a way to draft well (but there have been some busts along the way).
However, Atlanta has consistently chosen to draft pitching with their top picks in the last five years. Those picks were Jared Shuster (2020), Ryan Cusick (2021), Owen Murphy (2022), JR Ritchie (2022), Hurston Waldrep (2023), and Cam Caminiti (2024).
Shuster was dealt for Aaron Bummer and Cusick was in the Matt Olson trade. However, the remaining three are working their ways through Atlanta’s minor league system.
The Braves haven’t drafted a position player as their top pick since Shea Langeliers and Braden Shewmake in 2019. But it seems that may change in 2025 as MLB expert Jim Callis released a mock draft for this year’s first round.
MLB expert Jim Callis taps Braves as landing spot for Wake Forest shortstop Marek Houston in recent mock draft
Callis believes the Braves will select shortstop Marek Houston from Wake Forest with the 22nd overall pick. Houston is considered one of the best defensive college shortstops in the country.
He is ranked as the 12th-best prospect available in this year’s draft and had a pretty good season for the Demon Deacons.
Houston batted .354 over 61 games with 14 doubles, 15 homers 46 walks, 26 strikeouts, and 66 RBI. He recently added more power to his bat with a change in approach and those great numbers show it was a good decision. He’s had big hits during Wake Forest’s time in the NCAA Regional.
Still, he is well-regarded for his incredible defensive ability. According to MLB.com, he has “solid-to-plus grades for his quickness and arm strength.” His arm grades at 55 and his fielding sits at 60. He has shown the ability to play smoothly in the field and possesses fantastic range. He has a very similar profile to Dansby Swanson. Atlanta loves to have sound defenders in the middle infield and he fits that bill perfectly.
The increase in offensive power is just a bonus at that point and the Braves need a shortstop who can handle the bat well. He won’t slug 30 home runs but he has the potential to hit around 15 homers per season. Houston has been known for being a good contact hitter in his first two college seasons so that could also benefit him once he begins his professional career.
If Houston is taken in the draft before Atlanta has a chance, they could also consider Arkansas shortstop Wehiwa Aloy who is ranked as the 22nd-best draft prospect. Aloy is the SEC Player of the Year and has a powerful swing for a middle infielder. He is a decent defender and could be a name to keep an eye on.
Callis mentioned if the Braves don’t end up going with a position player in the first round, he could see them going for high school pitcher Kruz Schoolcraft or Southern Miss pitcher JB Middleton instead.
Atlanta has a massive need at shortstop so it seems like this is the right move but we all know they covet starting pitching. Hopefully, AA does the right thing and drafts a talented shortstop, and Houston feels like he’d be a nice fit for the organization.
