Twins Ink Top Draft Picks Houston, Quick, and Young

[Matthew Taylor]

The Minnesota Twins have begun locking in their 2025 draft class, announcing the signings of three of their top selections, including their first-rounder, just days after the MLB Draft.

Marek Houston, the Twins' first-round pick at No. 16 overall, has officially signed for $4,497,500, slightly under the assigned slot value of $4,929,600. Houston, widely regarded as the best defensive shortstop in the class, brings elite glove work and advanced instincts to the organization. Though questions remain about the bat, his athleticism and polish make him a potential fast mover in the system.

Joining him is Riley Quick, the Twins' supplemental first-rounder out of Alabama, who signed for his full slot value of $2,692,000. A hard-throwing righty with a deep pitch mix, Quick profiles as a potential rotation mainstay with multiple plus offerings and a competitive SEC pedigree.

Second-round pick Quentin Young, the nephew of former Twin Delmon Young, also signed for full slot value at $1,761,600. One of the more intriguing upside plays in the class, Young brings raw but electric tools, boasting elite athleticism and massive power potential. If the Twins can refine his approach, he could become a high-ceiling force in the lineup down the line.

The Twins are expected to announce additional signings in the coming days as they work to finalize the rest of their 2025 class.

Stay up-to-date on the 2025 MLB Draft with Twins Daily's draft tracker.

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[NapoleonComplex]

I expected Young to go over slot. Curious where savings from Houston will go. Agbayani?

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

So we are plus 500k  right now?   Houston underslot by half a million I like a heck of a lot more.     Guess is Agbayani or Barr might be seeing some of that extra cash.   Wouldn't be suprised if 700k for Agbayani.   

[ziggy]

wrong thread.

[Dman]

5 hours ago, NapoleonComplex said:

I expected Young to go over slot. Curious where savings from Houston will go. Agbayani?

Looks like those saving went to Barr the JC pitcher and Ellwanger.  From what I can see there isn't enough saving to get Agbayani to the 500 or 600K they likely need to sign him unless they use the 5% that they can go over. Unfortunately they have never done that before so unless that changes it looks like he will remain unsigned to me.

[thrillema25]

What about the Stevens fella? Anyone hearing anything on him?

[Mike Sixel]

And they sign the SS.....leaving on the 16th round pick. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

All picks are now signed.   Now of course its not a draft where we have a Brooks Lee or Walker Jenkins headlining it but its a very good draft, especially based on how the Twins spent their money.  I still don't think Houston has near the bat Culpepper does,  however if the bat is better than anticipated,  he is a surefire SS and would be a heck of a pick.  

Young and Agbayani both signed at pretty close to slot, I wasn't surprised on Young but Agbayani only going 20k overslot was very surprising.  I really thought he would go to college if he didn't get a bonus of over 500k.  Both are very good lottery tickets.  Young if he can achieve his potential has better athleticism than either his dad or uncle.     Daniels, Sprock and Mccombs all look like solid bats.  Robinson, eh  but if the bat comes around maybe.  

Pitching - the studs - Quick, Ellwanger, Barr and Reitz.  Barr got a higher bonus than Reitz,  likely a pre agreed to contract and pick.  All 4 of these have high upside and high volatility.  All have questions on control.  I have been wanting the Twins to swing for more of a #1 pitcher and all 4 of these picks give you that opportunity.  

Depth Pitching pick - Kolton Smith 200k,  Fang 177k, Mitrovich, 172k, Stevens 172k, Merit Jones 150k, Matthew Dalquest 150k Hilker 125k, Moring 100k.     I have always said you can tell how much the Twins like a prospect by how much they pay them.  Historically at pick 11 and down,  they may put up to slot on 3-4 picks and rarely go overslot.  They did it 3 times in this draft.   They drafted more pitchers at the money slot or higher than any other year.  And they spent a lot more money towards the end of the draft that they have ever done.  There were very few throw away picks as well with senior signs.  

The Twins obviously love the staff at Alabama,  obviously picking 2 players from them this year as well as Priellip,  the biggest question where we had minimal info on was Stevens and basically did not pitch for Bama this year and was going to transfer.  Yet the Twins paid overslot - yes he had some leverage that he could perform well this year in college, but it just doesn't match up with what he has done this year.   That tells you the Alabama coaches think he has a lot of untapped potential.    

After the 1st pick the Twins really swung for the fence and didn't let up even til the end of the draft.  The Twins based on the money they paid and the information we have on some of the prospects really liked the college pitching pool this year.   If they can replicate anything close to the results of the 2022 pitching class this would be a heck of a class.  I didn't really think either of the past 2 draft classes were as good as 2022.  This is the first class that I think could give it a run with the depth picks,  and the top 4 picks is the best assortment of high end pitchers that the Twins have ever accumulated in a single draft.