Kevin Parada isn’t the only New York Mets prospect starting to wake up after dragging his feet on the farm. Although taken later on but as a first round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Colin Houck is finally showing the Mets why he was worth getting taken early on.
Last year's full season introduction to Houck was noteworthy for all of the wrong reasons. He hit .206/.304/.306 with 5 home runs and fanned 171 times in 471 trips to the plate. Forced to repeat a stint at St. Lucie, things got off to a rocky start yet again in 2025.
How would he fare with a chance to prove doubters wrong? He moves up to Brooklyn for more than just a challenge. A complete turnaround this season has helped push this all-but-forgotten Mets prospect to the next level. He is reportedly headed to the Brooklyn Cyclones.
Mets first round pick Colin Houck is still buffering but the elapsed time is getting closer to 100%
Comparing Parada to Houck isn't fair with the latter being practically a second round selection. Nevertheless, because he was the first player taken by the Mets, he is viewed in the same realm.
Not much attention has been thrown on Houck. Partly because the Mets added to their farm system with notable names at the 2023 trade deadline but also because he never put together any whopping offensive statistics, his struggles have gone relatively unnoticed by casual followers. He was just a kid when the Mets drafted him out of high school. Those players, as much as we like to see them ascend quickly, tend to take a lot longer to develop. Not everyone is Juan Soto playing in the majors at a high level as a teenager.
This year has featured major improvements. After a .190/.273/.405 performance in April, Houck awakened to hit .261/.374/.466. He managed to bat .317/.411/.524 in 16 June games, improving his overall numbers to .256/.346/.466 with 8 home runs. He has struck out 74 times in 60 games, giving him a better grade than last season but something to continue to improve.
Barely clinging on as a top 30 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, the promising results can help him stick around on everyone’s list. Cutting down on strikeouts, hitting with more power, and staying well clear of the Mendoza Line are all positive signs he is headed in the right direction. Not yet at his destination, we can only hope the reward of moving onto the next level is a good thing.