Houston was an unheralded recruit who started immediately for Wake Forest as a freshman, locking up the shortstop position. If you watch him play defense, it's easy to see why. It's plus defense at shortstop, with good lateral quickness, soft hands, a great internal clock and a plus arm combining for a complete offensive profile. He's 1B to Billy Carlson's 1A defensively for shortstops in this class.

There's plenty to like in the offensive profile, too. It's a hit over power profile, headlined by strong bat-to-ball metrics and a history of walking more than he strikes out wherever he plays, including an excellent stint on the Cape after the 2024 season.

The ceiling for Houston hinges on what you think of the power. For much of his collegiate career, it's been absent (35 grade). In 2025, he's off to a more impactful start, almost matching his career high in home runs through non-conference play. The exit velocities (~104 mph) suggest that it might not be real, despite Houston adding 20 pounds of good weight in advance of the 2025 season.

Houston's power numbers (under the hood) didn't really hold up in ACC play. He finished the season with a .354/.458/.597 (1.055) line with 15 home runs and identical 15.4% strikeout and walk rates. Even so, it's above average hit and run, with plus defense and a plus arm at shortstop. He's a first half of the first round type guy in this class.