What happened: Shortstop Marek Houston, the No. 7 prospect in the Minnesota Twins organization, is showing significant progress during his first full professional season with the High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels. The 2025 first-round pick recently highlighted his offensive growth with his first professional multi-homer game on June 5.

Why it matters: Known primarily for his elite defensive floor, Houston's recent power surge and improved exit velocities suggest a higher offensive ceiling than initially projected. His development is a key storyline for a Twins system looking to solidify its future middle-infield depth.

What to watch: Scouts will monitor Houston's consistency at the plate throughout the summer to see if his power gains hold, potentially leading to a late-season promotion to Double-A.